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Red Devil Molly
Poecilia sphenops
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii
Variety of Molly · red devil
📍 Central America
The Red Devil Molly displays a deep red-orange coloration and is a popular color variant in the aquarium trade. It shares the same hardy, peaceful temperament as other mollies and does well in community tanks.
Care Guide
Diet
Red Devil Mollies are omnivorous and should be fed high-quality flake food or pellets as a staple, supplemented 2-3 times weekly with frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, or bloodworms. Include vegetable matter such as blanched spinach or algae wafers to support digestive health. Feed small amounts once daily, only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes.
Behavior
Red Devil Mollies are peaceful, active swimmers that spend most of their time in mid-water levels, though they occasionally browse near the substrate. They are social fish that do well in small groups or pairs and exhibit minimal aggression toward tankmates. Males may display mild territorial behavior during breeding season but rarely cause serious conflict.
Breeding
Breeding Red Devil Mollies in captivity is relatively easy, as they are livebearers that reproduce readily in established tanks with adequate food and stable conditions. Females produce 20-100 fry every 4-6 weeks; provide dense plants like Java Moss or Water Sprite for fry to hide and increase survival rates. Separate fry into a nursery tank if you wish to raise them successfully, as adults may consume young.
Tank Mates
Similar size, peaceful temperament, and identical water requirements make guppies ideal companions
Fellow livebearers with matching care needs and compatible peaceful behavior
Small, peaceful schooling fish that coexist well without competing for resources
Larger shrimp species less likely to be harassed; provide algae control and occupy different ecological niche
Hardy plant that provides shelter and won't be uprooted by molly activity
Common Diseases
Fin Rot
Frayed, discolored, or deteriorating fins; lethargy and loss of appetite
Perform 25-30% water changes every 2-3 days, improve water quality, and treat with aquarium salt (1 teaspoon per 5 gallons) or antibacterial medication if severe
Ich (White Spot Disease)
Small white spots on body and fins, excessive scratching against objects, rapid breathing
Raise water temperature gradually to 28-30°C, treat with aquarium salt or commercial ich medication for 7-10 days, and perform frequent water changes
Velvet Disease
Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, clamped fins, lethargy, rapid gill movement
Treat with copper-based medication or salt baths; dim lighting may help as the parasite is light-sensitive; maintain excellent water quality
Constipation
Bloated appearance, lethargy, loss of appetite, feces trailing from vent
Feed blanched vegetables like spinach or peas; perform water changes and reduce feeding temporarily; ensure varied diet with adequate fiber
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Varieties
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