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Amazon molly (Poecilia formosa) — Poeciliidae

Amazon molly

Poecilia formosa
Family: Poeciliidae
LC · Least Concern

The Amazon molly (Poecilia formosa) is a brackish-water fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
9.6 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Central America and southern North America; sheltered spots and still pools of streams and ditches.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Amazon molly is a small livebearing fish of the family Poeciliidae from Central America and the southern United States. The species grows to about 10 cm and inhabits backwaters and quiet pools of streams, ditches and sloughs, usually over mud. What is special about it is that it consists entirely of females: it originated from a hybridisation and reproduces by gynogenesis, in which sperm from related molly species only activates the egg but contributes no genetic material, so the young are clones of the mother. As an omnivore it eats algae, detritus and small invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Amazon molly?

The Amazon molly has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Consists solely of females; reproduces clonally through gynogenesis using sperm from related species.

Where does the Amazon molly live?

The Amazon molly lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Central America and southern North America; sheltered spots and still pools of streams and ditches.

How big does the Amazon molly get?

The Amazon molly grows to a maximum of about 10 cm. On average the species is around 6 cm.

Is the Amazon molly dangerous to humans?

No, the Amazon molly is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Amazon molly edible?

The Amazon molly is not usually eaten.

More photos

Amazon molly (Poecilia formosa) — Poeciliidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Fishes of Texas team (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Amazon molly (Poecilia formosa) — Poeciliidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Yinan Li, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Amazon molly (Poecilia formosa) — Poeciliidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Chris Bentley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Amazon molly (Poecilia formosa) — Poeciliidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Fishes of Texas team, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Amazon molly verified
Scientific name
Poecilia formosa
Family
Poeciliidae
Other names
Amazon molly verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.6 verified
Average length (cm)
5.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Central America and southern North America; sheltered spots and still pools of streams and ditches. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, detritus and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Consists solely of females; reproduces clonally through gynogenesis using sperm from related species. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Poecilia

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Fin

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