{"product_id":"assorted-balloon-molly-fish-poecilia-sphenops-3cm-pack-of-6","title":"Assorted Balloon Molly Fish Poecilia Sphenops 3cm","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Balloon Molly is a selectively bred form of the Short-finned Molly with a rounded, compact body, a high arched back and a mix of colours including black, gold, silver and marbled. It is an active, sociable livebearer from Central America that constantly grazes algae and browses around the tank, often in a loose, chatty group. A good choice for beginners with hard, alkaline water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eSold as:\u003c\/em\u003e Pack of 6 (minimum order quantity)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Around 5–6 cm (2–2.5 in); females larger than males\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/em\u003e 3–5 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eNative to:\u003c\/em\u003e Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela; balloon form is captive bred\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Slow streams, lagoons, ditches and brackish coastal waters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDiet:\u003c\/em\u003e Omnivorous, with a strong vegetable component\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePreferred Foods:\u003c\/em\u003e Quality flake, spirulina flake, blanched spinach, brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Feed small amounts twice daily; greens or algae wafers most days; vary foods weekly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBest with:\u003c\/em\u003e Platies, guppies, swordtails, Corydoras, rainbowfish, hard-water tetras, other mollies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Fin-nippers, large cichlids, soft-water specialists\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAggression \u0026amp; Behaviour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/em\u003e Peaceful, sociable and constantly active\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e Low; males chase females and squabble mildly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/em\u003e Beginner\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eChallenges:\u003c\/em\u003e Needs hard, alkaline, stable water; deformed body makes it prone to swim bladder issues\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/em\u003e Freshwater, hard and alkaline; tolerates brackish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/em\u003e 22–28°C (72–82°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003epH:\u003c\/em\u003e 7.0–8.5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHardness:\u003c\/em\u003e 15–30 dGH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFlow:\u003c\/em\u003e Slow to moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Minimum 80 litres for a group of six; larger is better, with gentle filtration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBalloon Mollies are prolific livebearers: females drop broods of 20 to 60 fry roughly every eight weeks, so keep at least two females per male and expect numbers to grow. Their shortened spine and rounded body make them less robust than standard mollies and weaker swimmers, so avoid strong currents. Salt is not required but well tolerated. Given hard water and greens they are colourful, busy and easy to keep.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64680677474681,"sku":"STF-MOLLY-BALLOON-ASS","price":4.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/STF-MOLLY-BALLOON-ASS.png?v=1790097102","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquatics.myshopify.com\/products\/assorted-balloon-molly-fish-poecilia-sphenops-3cm-pack-of-6","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}