Home · Poeciliidae · Mangrove molly
Mangrove molly (Poecilia orri) — Poeciliidae

Mangrove molly

Poecilia orri
Family: Poeciliidae

The Mangrove molly (Poecilia orri) is a brackish-water fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.6 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Belize, Colombia, Honduras, Mexico
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Want the complete picture on the Mangrove molly?

Get the app

Description

The mangrove molly is a small livebearing toothcarp (Poeciliidae) from coastal, brackish and fresh water of Central America and the Caribbean. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a stocky, silvery body; males have a larger dorsal fin and sometimes orange tones. It lives in schools in mangroves, lagoons and slow streams and eats algae, small invertebrate life and detritus. The female gives birth to live young. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mangrove molly?

The Mangrove molly has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Mangrove molly live?

The Mangrove molly lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. North America: Belize, Colombia, Honduras, Mexico

How big does the Mangrove molly get?

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

Is the Mangrove molly dangerous to humans?

No, the Mangrove 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.

Is the Mangrove molly edible?

Yes, the Mangrove molly is commonly eaten.

More photos

Mangrove molly (Poecilia orri) — Poeciliidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Vince Golder, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Mangrove molly (Poecilia orri) — Poeciliidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Christine Loew, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Mangrove molly (Poecilia orri) — Poeciliidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Bernard DUPONT (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Mangrove molly (Poecilia orri) — Poeciliidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Bernard DUPONT (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Mangrove molly?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Mangrove molly is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Mangrove molly sourced
Scientific name
Poecilia orri
Family
Poeciliidae
Other names
Mangrove molly verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
North America: Belize, Colombia, Honduras, Mexico 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
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

Want the complete picture on the Mangrove molly?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Mangrove molly is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Mangrove molly? Get the app