{"product_id":"black-balloon-molly-lyretail-poecilia-sphenops","title":"Black Balloon Molly Lyretail (Poecilia sphenops)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eBold, Round, and Dramatically Finned\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Black Balloon Molly Lyretail (\u003cem\u003ePoecilia sphenops\u003c\/em\u003e) is a striking combination of two of the most distinctive molly traits — the rounded, deep-bodied balloon form and the elegant, forked lyretail fin. Jet black from head to tail with a gracefully arched back and flowing lyre-shaped caudal fin, this variety is a true showpiece in any community or livebearer aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHardy, peaceful, and easy to breed, the Black Balloon Lyretail Molly is a fantastic choice for both beginner and experienced aquarists looking to add a bold, eye-catching fish to their setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetails\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack Balloon Molly Lyretail\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cem\u003ePoecilia sphenops\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelectively bred fancy molly strain\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6 – 8 cm (2.4 – 3.2 in)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 – 5 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner – Easy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful; active community fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe balloon body form gives this molly a distinctively round, deep profile with a curved dorsal line — quite different from the standard molly body shape. Combined with a forked lyretail caudal fin and uniform jet-black colouration across the entire body and fins, this variety has a dramatic, sculptural presence in the aquarium. The lyretail fins flow and trail gracefully as the fish moves, adding elegance to its bold silhouette.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWater Parameters \u0026amp; Tank Setup\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 24 – 28°C (75 – 82°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.5 – 8.5 (alkaline water preferred)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGeneral Hardness (GH):\u003c\/strong\u003e 10 – 25 dGH (hard water)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75 L (20 gallons) minimum\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSalt:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tolerates and benefits from a small amount of aquarium salt (1 tsp per 10 L); can adapt to brackish conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFiltration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate flow with good oxygenation; mollies are sensitive to poor water quality\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlants \u0026amp; Decor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardy plants like Java fern, Anubias, and Vallisneria; open swimming space appreciated\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDiet \u0026amp; Feeding\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStaple:\u003c\/strong\u003e High-quality flake food or pellets with vegetable content\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTreats:\u003c\/strong\u003e Blanched spinach, zucchini, spirulina wafers, baby brine shrimp, and daphnia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeed small amounts 2–3 times daily. Mollies are omnivores with a strong herbivorous tendency — vegetable-based foods are important for long-term health.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCompatibility \u0026amp; Tank Mates\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOther mollies, platies, and swordtails\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeaceful community fish of similar size\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCorydoras and peaceful bottom dwellers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid fin-nipping species — the lyretail fins are vulnerable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eLivebearers that breed readily. Females give birth to live fry every 4–6 weeks. Provide floating plants or a breeding box to protect fry from adults. Fry are relatively large at birth and can accept crushed flake food from day one.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eBlack Balloon Molly Lyretail\u003c\/strong\u003e is a bold, graceful, and low-maintenance fish that makes an immediate impression in any aquarium. A new arrival — limited stock available.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aquapets ( KowloonAquarium)","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53396429373713,"sku":null,"price":7.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0679\/9225\/6785\/files\/p_537-855-Balloon-Lyretail-Molly-Black-4cm_f02e9840-0966-467e-b03d-0d55f1ba8254.jpg?v=1775846375","url":"https:\/\/www.aquapets.ca\/products\/black-balloon-molly-lyretail-poecilia-sphenops","provider":"Aquapets ( KowloonAquarium)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}