The Gold Dust Molly is perfect for hobbyists who love the Black Molly but want a fish with color. This variety of the short-finned Poecilia sphenops Molly has an interesting color scheme of black and gold that accentuates it’s playful and energetic behavior. The colorful and lively Gold Dust Molly makes a peaceful addition to most aquariums.The Gold Dust Molly prefers hard, alkaline water conditions and may not thrive in aquariums with acidic or soft water. The Gold Dust Molly has the ability to adapt to a variety of salt levels in the aquarium. Through gradual acclimation, the Gold Dust Molly may be maintained in either a freshwater or saltwater aquarium. In the freshwater aquarium, a minimum of a teaspoon of aquarium salt per gallon is recommended for optimum health.

The Gold Dust Molly requires an aquarium of at least 30 gallons with algae and plenty of room to swim. The Gold Dust Molly should only share an aquarium with other peaceful fish that prefer hard water with elevated salt levels.

The male Gold Dust Molly is more slender and has a gonopodium. In contrast, the female Gold Dust Molly is more rounded in shape and develops a pregnancy spot. The Gold Dust Molly is a livebearer that requires a spawning box in a 25 gallon, or larger breeding tank. The aquarium should be planted densely as possible or have a thick algae mat. Having a group of floating plants in the corner of your aquarium will promote rearing outside of the breeding tank. Every 60-70 days the female will give birth to 10-60 young that are already approximately one-half inch long.

The Gold Dust Molly is an omnivore that requires both meaty foods as well as algae. Provide the Gold Dust Molly an algae-based flake food, as well as freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex, and brine shrimp.

Approximate Purchase Size: 1″ to 1-1/2″.