{"product_id":"assorted-balloon-molly-poecilia-latipinna","title":"Assorted Balloon Molly - Poecilia latipinna","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"337\" data-end=\"380\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAssorted Balloon Molly (Poecilia latipinna)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"382\" data-end=\"918\"\u003eThe Assorted Balloon Molly is a colourful captive-bred livebearer, popular for its rounded body shape, active behaviour and mixed colour patterns that may include black, white, gold, orange, dalmatian, marble and mixed markings. This fancy molly variety is best suited to clean, stable freshwater aquariums with moderately hard to hard, alkaline water. Peaceful, lively and easy to feed, it makes a bright addition to suitable community aquariums, but it should be kept in the correct mineral-rich water conditions for long-term health.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"920\" data-end=\"1085\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"932\" data-end=\"935\"\u003eAssorted Balloon Molly. Also commonly referred to as Balloon Molly, Balloon Belly Molly, Fancy Balloon Molly, Assorted Molly or Balloon Sailfin Molly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1087\" data-end=\"1132\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name (Latin):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1111\" data-end=\"1114\"\u003ePoecilia latipinna\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1134\" data-end=\"1295\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaximum Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1147\" data-end=\"1150\"\u003eAround 5–8 cm in captivity for most balloon forms, although Sailfin Molly-type strains may grow larger depending on breeding line and body shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1297\" data-end=\"1396\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1308\" data-end=\"1311\"\u003eFreshwater\u003cbr data-start=\"1321\" data-end=\"1324\"\u003eCan also tolerate lightly brackish conditions when acclimated correctly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1398\" data-end=\"1840\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin \/ Natural Habitat:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1423\" data-end=\"1426\"\u003eThe Assorted Balloon Molly is a captive-bred aquarium strain. The wild form of \u003cem data-start=\"1505\" data-end=\"1525\"\u003ePoecilia latipinna\u003c\/em\u003e is native to freshwater, brackish and coastal habitats from the south-eastern United States through to parts of Mexico. Wild Sailfin Mollies are found in warm still or gently flowing waters, ponds, lakes, sloughs, quiet vegetated backwaters, tidal ditches and brackish canals. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1842\" data-end=\"1963\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1859\" data-end=\"1862\"\u003eTemperature: 22–28°C\u003cbr data-start=\"1882\" data-end=\"1885\"\u003epH Range: 7.2–8.5\u003cbr data-start=\"1902\" data-end=\"1905\"\u003eHardness: moderately hard to hard water strongly preferred\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1965\" data-end=\"2197\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1977\" data-end=\"1980\"\u003ePeaceful and active. Suitable for community aquariums with other calm fish that enjoy similar harder, alkaline water conditions. Males may chase females, so mixed-sex groups are best kept with more females than males.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2199\" data-end=\"2641\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2204\" data-end=\"2207\"\u003eOmnivorous with a strong herbivorous grazing tendency. It should be offered a varied diet including quality flake, small pellets, spirulina, algae-based foods, blanched vegetables, daphnia, brineshrimp and occasional bloodworm. Algae and vegetable-based foods are especially useful for long-term molly health, as \u003cem data-start=\"2520\" data-end=\"2540\"\u003ePoecilia latipinna\u003c\/em\u003e naturally feeds heavily on algae alongside small animal foods. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2643\" data-end=\"2819\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2661\" data-end=\"2664\"\u003eA practical recommendation is at least 80–120 litres for a small group, with larger aquariums preferred for long-term stability and mixed community setups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2821\" data-end=\"3310\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBehaviour \u0026amp; Activity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2846\" data-end=\"2849\"\u003eThis is an active mid-to-upper level livebearer that spends much of the day swimming, grazing and exploring the aquarium. Females give birth to free-swimming fry, so numbers may increase quickly in a mixed-sex group. Open swimming space, planted areas, gentle water movement and stable water quality are all beneficial. Because balloon mollies have a shortened, rounded body shape, they should not be kept with fast, aggressive or overly competitive tank mates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3312\" data-end=\"3800\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAquarium Category:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3330\" data-end=\"3333\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eCommunity Fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3347\" data-end=\"3350\"\u003eThis species is peaceful and works well with other freshwater community fish that prefer harder, alkaline water. Suitable tank mates include platies, swordtails, other mollies, peaceful rainbowfish, danios, robust tetras suited to harder water, bristlenose plecos and compatible Corydoras species. Avoid very soft-water fish, aggressive species, persistent fin nippers, large predators and delicate species that may be stressed by active livebearers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3802\" data-end=\"4438\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Requirements or Care Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3837\" data-end=\"3840\"\u003eBest kept in clean, stable, mineral-rich water with strong filtration and regular maintenance. Mollies are much less forgiving in soft, acidic or poorly maintained aquariums and can weaken quickly if kept in unsuitable water. Aquarium salt is not essential if the water is naturally hard and alkaline, but some keepers use lightly brackish conditions for molly-focused setups; do not add salt if the aquarium contains salt-sensitive tank mates or plants. Balloon-bodied strains should be kept especially carefully, as their compact body shape can make them less robust than standard-bodied mollies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4440\" data-end=\"4492\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"4453\" data-end=\"4456\"\u003eBeginner to intermediate fishkeepers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4494\" data-end=\"4569\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"4507\" data-end=\"4510\"\u003eCommon \/ occasional in trade, usually as captive-bred stock\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4571\" data-end=\"4831\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAll images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aqua Group","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":46022450249901,"sku":"AG-103043","price":3.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":46022450282669,"sku":"AG-103044","price":4.45,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large","offer_id":46022450315437,"sku":"AG-103045","price":4.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0543\/0391\/6205\/files\/AssortedBalloonMolly-Poecilialatipinna.jpg?v=1779122487","url":"https:\/\/aquagroup.co.uk\/products\/assorted-balloon-molly-poecilia-latipinna","provider":"Aqua Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}