Mollies - Poecilia sphenops

Mollies. The oh-so-common, breeds-like-aquatic-rats freshwater fish. Admit it, most people who've had a tank probably have had one at one point in their life.

So why am I writing about them?
Saltwater mollies.

To be accurate, mollies are brackish water fish. They're usually kept in purely freshwater systems, but they really do prefer some salt in their agua. Some people might argue that mollies kept in full saltwater systems is "unnatural", that "you will not find them on reef slopes interacting w/ tangs, clowns, or butterfly fish". But on that note, wouldn't keeping them in a full freshwater system be "unnatural" too? In fact, keeping fish in a glass box of water is "unnatural" too! A little research shows that there are plenty of people who keep mollies in reef tanks fine.

Merits of mollies in your saltwater system:
- good algae-eaters (take care of that hair algae for you)
- rapid proliferation = live fry food !
- no coral nipping!
- hardy non-aggressive fish, meaning you can use mollies instead of damsels to add to your tank once it cycles

According to Seahorse.com, the live fry food is
- Excellent food value: high in protein, lipids, and other essential nutrients--a complete package of vitamins and minerals.
- Available in all pet shops and aquarium stores.
- Easy to breed and maintain at home.

Any cons is either not applicable or easily remedied.
- Poor tolerance for saltwater (except for mollies adapted to brackish conditions)[Mollies do well in saltwater]
- Not acceptable to all sea horses [Not feeding seahorses]
- Slow rate of reproduction limits usefulness. [Keep multiple breeding females; a harem]

To keep a harem, you need to be able to sex them, which is very easy.
On left is a male, while on right is a female.

Note the pointy anal fin on the male, versus the rounded anal fin on the female.
You really only need one male, since he'll be more than happy to fertilize all the female himself.

Acclimation process took about 24 hours, via drip acclimation. Different sources say different acclimation time, varying from as little as 3 hours, to as much as weeks to acclimate the mollies. Some people claim to have thrown in mollies with no acclimation and no ill effects, but this seems to be gross negligence. The particular molly specimen I picked up was a female carrying eggs and fry. During acclimation, at around 1.005-1.010 SG (reached after 5+ hours), she aborted all fry and egg she had been carrying, evidently indicating her as being stressed. Few fry made it out alive, and even fewer stayed alive for the duration of the acclimation. However, after the complete acclimation, she herself looked quite healthy. No sign of weakness, bodily defect or effects.

Evidently, a 24 hour acclimation is quite stressful for the molly, but endurable. For any future females or weaker looking specimen, a longer acclimation period may be recommended.

Other literature:
1. Animal-World