Unknown Variety
An unknown variety common molly is a Poecilia sphenops whose color form, fin type, or strain was not recorded. Common mollies are small livebearing fish from Mexico and Central America that have been selectively bred into black, dalmatian, gold, silver, white, lyretail, and balloon forms. When a molly is listed as unknown variety, it may be a plain wild-type-like fish, a mixed domestic line, a juvenile whose colors have not settled, or simply an aquarium fish separated from its purchase label.
In home aquariums, variety matters less than body shape, health, and water conditions. Common mollies do best in hard, alkaline freshwater, and some lines tolerate lightly brackish water; soft, acidic tanks often cause chronic problems. They are active grazers that benefit from vegetable matter as well as prepared foods, and females give birth to free-swimming fry after mating. Keepers usually plan for rapid reproduction, maintain more females than males to reduce harassment, and watch balloon-bodied fish closely because the shortened body shape can bring extra strain.
Colors: Balloon, Black, Dalmatian, Gold, Lyretail, Silver, White
