Product Details

Gold Black Lyretail Molly – Poecilia latipinna

Overview:

The Gold Black Lyretail Molly is a striking livebearer combining bright gold colour, contrasting black markings and an ornamental lyre-shaped tail. As a fancy strain listed under Poecilia latipinna, it should be treated as a Sailfin Molly-type fish that needs more space, harder water and cleaner conditions than many smaller community livebearers. Peaceful, active and eye-catching, it is a good choice for hard-water community aquariums, livebearer displays and planted tanks with stable mineral-rich water.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Gold Black Lyretail Molly
Other Names: Gold and Black Molly, Gold Black Sailfin Molly, Lyretail Molly, Sailfin Molly, Fancy Molly
Scientific Name: Poecilia latipinna
Fish Type: Livebearer / Molly
Water Type: Freshwater; tolerant of slightly brackish conditions

Natural Range & Habitat:

Wild Poecilia latipinna is native to North America, from the Cape Fear drainage in North Carolina, USA, south to Veracruz, Mexico. It occurs in still or gently flowing warm water, including small creeks, drains, ponds, lakes, sloughs, vegetated backwaters, tidal ditches and brackish canals.

The Gold Black Lyretail form is a domesticated aquarium strain, so it should be managed for the species’ general needs: warm, clean, alkaline, mineral-rich water with open swimming room and plant or algae-based foods.

Appearance & Adult Size:

This strain usually shows a gold to yellow-gold base colour with black patches, speckling or darker tail and fin markings. The lyretail form has extended upper and lower rays on the caudal fin, giving the tail a forked, decorative shape. Males are slimmer and have a gonopodium; Sailfin Molly-type males may also develop a larger dorsal fin, though fin size varies between domestic lines. Females are larger and fuller-bodied.

Adults commonly reach around 8–12 cm in aquariums, with large Sailfin Molly-type fish capable of growing bigger. FishBase lists Poecilia latipinna at up to 15 cm TL for males or unsexed fish and 10 cm TL for females.

Aquarium Suitability:

This is a good fish for peaceful hard-water communities, planted livebearer aquariums and mixed molly displays. It needs clean water, steady mineral content, open swimming space and gentle to moderate flow. Because lyretail finnage can be more delicate than standard fins, avoid rough or nippy tank mates.

It is not suitable for soft acidic aquariums, small nano tanks, aggressive predator setups or neglected tanks with unstable water quality.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 120 litres for a small group, with 150 litres or more preferred for mixed-sex groups, larger males or community aquariums. A tank length of at least 90 cm is recommended, as Sailfin Molly-type fish are active and can be larger than standard short-fin mollies.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 24–28°C
pH: 7.2–8.5
Hardness: Hard to very hard preferred
Additional Notes: Mollies should be kept in mineral-rich, alkaline water. Seriously Fish states that P. latipinna must be maintained in moderately hard or harder water with a basic pH, as it weakens quickly in soft or acidic conditions. Salt is not essential if the aquarium already provides good hard freshwater, but this species naturally tolerates brackish habitats.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Gold Black Lyretail Mollies are peaceful but active community fish. Suitable tank mates include other mollies, platies, swordtails, peaceful rainbowfish, larger danios, peaceful barbs, bristlenose plecs and other community fish that enjoy hard, neutral to alkaline water.

Avoid soft-water species that require acidic conditions, large predators, aggressive cichlids, persistent fin-nippers and very tiny fish or shrimp that may be harassed or outcompeted. Keep in groups, ideally with one male to two or more females if mixed sexes are kept, as males can chase females. Male-only groups can also work in spacious display aquariums.

Feeding:

Gold Black Lyretail Mollies are omnivores with a strong need for vegetable and algae-based foods. Offer quality livebearer flakes, spirulina flakes, algae wafers and small granules as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, brineshrimp, cyclops, mosquito larvae and occasional bloodworm. FishBase records wild P. latipinna as feeding mainly on algae, with additional rotifers, small crustaceans and aquatic insects.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This is an active upper and midwater livebearer that grazes throughout the day on plants, décor and algae films. Males display to females and rivals, especially where dorsal and tail finnage is well developed. Females give birth to free-swimming fry rather than laying eggs, and young may survive in planted aquariums if enough cover is available.

Care Notes:

Keep in stable, mature water with good mineral content, strong filtration and regular water changes. Avoid overcrowding, as mollies are sensitive to poor water quality and can show stress quickly in unsuitable conditions. Provide plant cover and line-of-sight breaks, while leaving open swimming space. A secure lid is recommended, as active livebearers may jump. If breeding is not wanted, keep males only or have a plan for fry. Do not mix strains if you want to preserve the Gold Black Lyretail form.

Recommended For:

Beginner to intermediate

Availability:

Common to occasional / Captive-bred fancy strain

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, colour, black coverage, gold intensity, fin shape and tail extension can occur between individual fish.