Golden Panda Lyretail Molly (Poecilia sphenops) - Live Fish

The Golden Panda Lyretail Molly (Poecilia sphenops)  is a beautiful and unique variety of the Molly fish, a popular species in the livebearer family. The Golden Panda Lyretail Molly is a man-made hybrid, distinguished by its striking coloration and the lyretail fin, which is particularly attractive to aquarium enthusiasts. This fish is known for its vibrant gold and black coloration, combined with its graceful and elongated tail fin.

Temperature: The Golden Panda Lyretail Molly thrives in water temperatures between 72-82°F (22-28°C).
pH: The preferred pH range is slightly alkaline, typically between 7.5 and 8.5. They can also tolerate slightly brackish water, making them adaptable to various conditions.
Hardness: Water hardness should be between 10-25 dGH.
Mollies, including the Golden Panda Lyretail, do well in well-planted tanks with plenty of open swimming space. They enjoy moderately flowing water but do not do well in tanks with strong currents.

Temperament: Golden Panda Lyretail Mollies are peaceful and social fish, making them ideal for community tanks. They are generally active and friendly, often seen swimming in the mid to upper regions of the tank.
Schooling Fish: Mollies tend to do best when kept in small groups (a minimum of 3-4 individuals). They prefer to be in the company of other Mollies or peaceful species, as they can become stressed when alone.
Active and Curious: These fish are active swimmers and enjoy exploring their surroundings. They are also quite curious, often coming to the front of the tank when they sense movement, especially during feeding time.

Diet
Golden Panda Lyretail Mollies are omnivorous and have a varied diet in the wild, which includes both plant and animal matter. In captivity, a balanced diet is essential for their health and vibrant coloration. Their diet should include:

Flake Foods: High-quality flake foods that are specially formulated for livebearers.
Vegetables: They enjoy blanched vegetables like spinach, zucchini, and peas.
Protein Sources: Live or frozen foods like brine shrimp, bloodworms, or daphnia are also recommended to provide protein.
Algae: Mollies are also known to graze on algae, so having a healthy growth of algae in the aquarium can be beneficial for them.

Livebearers: Like all molly fish, the Golden Panda Lyretail Molly is a livebearer, meaning it gives birth to live young instead of laying eggs. Mating occurs when a male fertilizes a female internally, and the female carries the developing fry inside her body.
Gestation: The gestation period typically lasts 3-4 weeks. Female mollies can give birth to anywhere from 20 to 100 fry per batch, depending on the size and health of the female.
Raising Fry: After birth, the fry are tiny but fully formed and can swim almost immediately. They are small and vulnerable, so it’s best to provide plenty of plants or decorations in the tank to give the fry places to hide. Fry are generally fed infusoria or finely crushed flake food in the early stages of life.

Aquarium Care
Tank Size: A minimum tank size of 20 gallons (75 liters) is recommended for a small group of Golden Panda Lyretail Mollies. More space is always beneficial to accommodate their active nature and provide ample swimming space.
Water Conditions: As noted earlier, maintaining stable water conditions is essential for their health. Regular water changes (about 25% weekly) are crucial to maintain water quality.
Filtration: A gentle filtration system is ideal, as Mollies are sensitive to poor water quality, especially in more confined spaces. Ensure that the filtration doesn’t create strong currents, as these fish prefer calm waters.
Compatibility: Golden Panda Lyretail Mollies are peaceful and get along well with other non-aggressive species. They can be kept with other livebearers (such as guppies and other mollies), tetras, peaceful catfish, and small species of cichlids. Avoid keeping them with larger, aggressive fish that may harm them.

Lifespan
The Golden Panda Lyretail Molly typically lives for 2 to 3 years, but with proper care, they can sometimes live even longer. Their lifespan can be influenced by factors such as water quality, diet, tankmates, and overall aquarium conditions.