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Liberty molly (Poecilia salvatoris) — Poeciliidae

Liberty molly

Poecilia salvatoris
Family: Poeciliidae
NativeIntroduced

The Liberty molly (Poecilia salvatoris) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: El Salvador

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Description

The liberty molly is a livebearing toothcarp (Poeciliidae) from fresh and brackish water of Central America, from El Salvador to Guatemala. The species grows to about 6 cm; males are handsomely marked with red and blue-black bands in the dorsal and tail fins, females are plainer. As a schooling fish it swims in clear streams, pools and estuaries and eats algae, small invertebrates and insect larvae. The females bear live young. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Liberty molly?

The Liberty molly has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly multicoloured.

Where does the Liberty molly live?

The Liberty molly lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. North America: El Salvador

How big does the Liberty molly get?

The Liberty molly grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Liberty molly dangerous to humans?

No, the Liberty molly is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Liberty molly (Poecilia salvatoris) — Poeciliidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) IHUNTA, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Liberty molly (Poecilia salvatoris) — Poeciliidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Rafael Vela, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Liberty molly (Poecilia salvatoris) — Poeciliidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Dnoerholm (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Liberty molly (Poecilia salvatoris) — Poeciliidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Tse Chung Yi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Liberty molly sourced
Scientific name
Poecilia salvatoris
Family
Poeciliidae

Appearance

Size class
Small
Max length (cm)
6 sourced
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
North America: El Salvador sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Poecilia

More from the family Poeciliidae

Fin

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