Sunkist Balloon Lyretail Molly (Poecilia Sphenops)

Sunkist Balloon Lyretail Molly (Poecilia sphenops) — Warm Colour, Flowing Elegance

The Sunkist Balloon Lyretail Molly (Poecilia sphenops) is a radiant and elegant variety of fancy molly, combining the distinctive rounded balloon body with a warm, glowing sunkist orange colouration and a graceful, forked lyretail fin. Bright, peaceful, and beginner-friendly, this livebearer brings a splash of sunshine and effortless elegance to any community aquarium.

Sunshine in the Aquarium

The Sunkist Balloon Lyretail Molly’s warm orange colouration — reminiscent of a ripe sunkist citrus — glows beautifully under aquarium lighting, creating a warm, vibrant focal point in any planted or community setup. The flowing lyretail fins add a touch of grace and movement, trailing elegantly as the fish glides through the water. Hardy and adaptable, this molly is as easy to keep as it is beautiful to look at.

Care Profile

• Scientific Name: Poecilia sphenops
• Origin: Selectively bred variety; wild type from Central America and Mexico
• Size: Up to 6–8 cm
• Temperament: Peaceful; an excellent community fish compatible with a wide range of tankmates
• Diet: Omnivore — accepts quality flake, micro pellets, blanched vegetables, and occasional live or frozen foods; benefits from algae and plant matter in the diet
• Water Temperature: 24–28°C
• pH: 7.0–8.5 (adaptable; tolerates slightly brackish conditions)
• Tank Size: Suitable from 60L upward
• Livebearer: Gives birth to live young; females may give birth every 4–6 weeks in a well-maintained aquarium
• Note: The balloon body and lyretail are selectively bred traits; provide good water quality and avoid housing with fin-nipping species

Aquascape Compatibility

The Sunkist Balloon Lyretail Molly thrives in planted community aquariums with open swimming space and gentle to moderate water flow. It pairs beautifully with other livebearers — platies, swordtails, and guppies — as well as peaceful tetras, corydoras, and dwarf gouramis. Its warm orange colouration creates a striking contrast against lush green planting, making it a natural centrepiece in any freshwater community setup.

Warm, graceful, and endlessly cheerful — the Sunkist Balloon Lyretail Molly is the livebearer that brings a ray of sunshine to your aquarium.