Fig 1
Fig 2
Fig 3
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Order : Cyprinodontiformes
Family : POECILIIDAE
Species : Poecilia sphenops
Maximum Length : 6.0 cm
The Common or Green Molly
and its variants, which include the Black Molly, are popular aquarium fish.
This is a close relative of the ubiquitous Guppy.
Native in freshwater streams and brackish water habitats in Central and
South America (from Mexico to Columbia), the species has been
introduced into parts of Southeast Asia.
They are prolific breeders which can adapt to hardy, urban environments. In
Singapore they occur in concretised canals, storm drains, ponds and polluted
rural streams.
They are omnivorous, and feed on various aquatic invertebrates, such as
insects and worms, as well as plant and other organic debris.
In Southeast Asia, the
species is listed as occurring in the Philippines, Singapore and parts of
Indonesia.
Fig 1 : Part of a shoal
of twelve Common Molly, living in a brackish tributary of the Singapore
River.
Fig 2 : Close-up of an adult, with erect dorsal fin.
Fig 3 : Tributary flowing into the
Singapore River inhabited by Common Molly. Taken in 2007, this rare photo shows the last remnant of natural mangrove habitat in this once-tidal waterway, which passes
through the heart of the city.
References :
- F1
-
fishbase.org
Thanks to Kelvin Lim for helping with
identification.
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