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Balloon Molly | Assorted

Balloon Molly | Assorted

Regular price $7.95 AUD
Regular price $10.00 AUD Sale price $7.95 AUD
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The Balloon Molly Fish (Poecilia sphenops) is a popular freshwater aquarium fish loved for its unique rounded body shape, vibrant colors, and peaceful temperament. A selectively bred variety of the classic Molly, the Balloon Molly adds personality and movement to any community aquarium while remaining easy to care for, making it an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced fishkeepers.

Available in a wide range of stunning colors including black, gold, silver, dalmatian, orange, and marble varieties, Balloon Mollies are eye-catching additions to freshwater and planted aquariums.

Key Features

  • Unique rounded "balloon" body shape
  • Peaceful and community-friendly
  • Available in a variety of vibrant colors and patterns
  • Active swimmer with an engaging personality
  • Easy to care for and ideal for beginners
  • Livebearing fish that can breed readily in home aquariums

Care Requirements

Scientific Name: Poecilia sphenops
Common Name: Balloon Molly
Origin: Central America
Adult Size: 5–8 cm (2–3 inches)
Temperament: Peaceful
Difficulty Level: Easy

Water Parameters

  • pH: 7.0–8.5
  • Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)
  • Lighting: Moderate to bright
  • Tank Size: 60L (15 gallons) minimum
  • Water Hardness: Moderate to hard water preferred

Aquarium Setup

Balloon Mollies thrive in:

  • Well-filtered aquariums
  • Planted tanks with open swimming space
  • Stable water conditions
  • Aquariums with rocks, driftwood, and live plants

Regular water changes and good filtration will help maintain their health and vibrant coloration.

Diet & Feeding

Balloon Mollies are omnivores and enjoy a varied diet including:

  • High-quality flakes or pellets
  • Spirulina-based foods
  • Algae wafers
  • Blanched vegetables such as zucchini and spinach
  • Frozen brine shrimp
  • Bloodworms and daphnia

A balanced diet rich in both plant and protein sources helps support healthy growth and coloration.

Can Balloon Mollies Live with Shrimp?

Yes, adult Balloon Mollies can often coexist with larger shrimp species, especially in well-planted aquariums.

Suitable shrimp companions include:

  • Amano Shrimp
  • Larger Cherry Shrimp colonies
  • Bamboo Shrimp

However, Mollies may occasionally eat:

  • Baby shrimp (shrimplets)
  • Newly molted shrimp
  • Small juvenile shrimp

If you plan to breed shrimp, provide dense mosses and hiding places to improve survival rates.

Compatible Tank Mates

Balloon Mollies are peaceful community fish that do well with many other species, including:

  • Guppies
  • Platies
  • Swordtails
  • Corydoras Catfish
  • Bristlenose Plecos
  • Kuhli Loaches
  • Harlequin Rasboras
  • Neon Tetras
  • Cardinal Tetras
  • Cherry Barbs
  • Honey Gouramis

Tank Mates to Avoid

Avoid housing Balloon Mollies with:

  • Aggressive cichlids
  • Large predatory fish
  • Fin-nipping species such as Tiger Barbs
  • Fish requiring very soft, acidic water

Social Behavior

Balloon Mollies are highly social fish and are happiest when kept in groups. A ratio of one male to two or three females is recommended to reduce breeding-related stress on females.

As livebearers, healthy adult females may regularly produce fry in suitable aquarium conditions.

Why Choose Balloon Mollies?

Balloon Mollies are among the most popular freshwater aquarium fish due to their hardiness, peaceful nature, and stunning variety of colors. Their playful behavior, compatibility with many community fish, and ease of care make them an excellent choice for aquarists of all experience levels.

Whether you're building a planted aquarium, a peaceful community tank, or simply looking for a colorful and active fish, Balloon Mollies are sure to bring life and charm to your aquarium.

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More Information

How to Take Care The Shrimps

Taking care of Freshwater aquarium Shrimps (Neocaridina and Caridina) involves providing them with a suitable environment and proper attention to their specific needs. Here are some essential care guidelines:

1. Tank Setup:

  • Shrimp are relatively small and can be kept in tanks as small as 5 gallons (19 liters), but a larger tank allows for more stable water conditions.
  • Provide hiding spots with plants, driftwood, and rocks. Live plants like Java Moss and Java Fern are ideal as they serve as both hiding places and a food source.

2. Water Parameters:

For Neocaridinar (Cherry Shrimps)

  • Temperature: 72-78°F (22-28°C)
  • pH: 6.5-7.5
  • GH (General Hardness): 6-10
  • KH (Carbonate Hardness): 3-10

For Caridina (Taiwan bee, Crystal Shrimps)

  • Temperature: 72-78°F (22-26°C)
  • pH: 6.0-6.5
  • GH (General Hardness): 3-5
  • KH (Carbonate Hardness): 0-10

3. Filtration:

  • Use a sponge filter such as Qanvee filter or a gentle flow filter to avoid strong currents that can stress shrimp.

4. Feeding:

  • Shrimp are omnivores and feed on algae, biofilm, and commercial shrimp pellets.
  • Supplement their diet with blanched vegetables like Mulberry leaves, spinach or zucchini.
  • Offer a varied diet to ensure proper nutrition.

5. Water Changes:

  • Perform regular water changes (10-20% weekly) to maintain water quality.
  • Use dechlorinated water at the same temperature and parameters as the tank.

6. Molting:

  • Provide a calcium source, such as our shrimp mineral products or crushed coral, cuttlebone, to support molting.

7. Tank Mates:

  • Shrimp are generally peaceful but can be preyed upon by larger fish.
  • Suitable tank mates include small, non-aggressive fish like guppies or endlers.
  • Avoid aggressive or predatory species.

8. Breeding:

  • Shrimp breed readily in captivity.
  • Provide moss or other dense plant growth for shrimp to hide their eggs.
  • Maintain stable water conditions to encourage breeding.

9. Health and Observation:

  • Regularly observe your Shrimp for signs of stress, illness, or abnormal behavior.
  • Quarantine new arrivals to prevent introducing diseases.

10. Patience:

  • Shrimp keeping can be rewarding but requires patience. Allow your aquarium to mature and stabilize before adding shrimp.

By following these care guidelines, you can create a thriving environment for your Shrimp and enjoy their vibrant colors and fascinating behavior in your aquarium.

How to Acclimate New Shrimps & Fish

Acclimating new aquarium shrimp/fish is crucial to ensure a smooth transition and minimize stress. Follow these steps for proper acclimation:

Materials Needed:

  • A container or bucket.
  • An airline tube or a slow-drip system (optional).
  • A net.

Procedure:

  1. Turn Off Lights: Dim the aquarium lights or turn them off completely to reduce stress on the shrimp/fish.
  2. Float the Bag: Place the sealed bag containing the shrimp on the surface of the aquarium water. This allows the water inside the bag to gradually adjust to the tank temperature.
  3. Drip Acclimation (Optional): If you have an airline tube or a slow-drip system, set it up to provide a gentle flow of water from the tank into the bag. This method is slower but provides a more gradual transition. Adjust the flow rate to about 2-4 drops per second.
  4. Monitor Temperature: Ensure the water temperature inside the bag matches the tank temperature after about 15-20 minutes. This step is essential to prevent temperature shock.
  5. Open Bag and Add Tank Water: Carefully open the bag without allowing shrimp to escape. Using a net or your hand, gently transfer the shrimp into a clean container or bucket. Be cautious not to introduce water from the bag into the container.
  6. Gradual Water Exchange: Over the course of about 30 minutes to an hour, gradually add small amounts of aquarium water to the container with the shrimp/fish. This helps the shrimp adjust to the tank's water parameters.
  7. Net Transfer: After acclimation, use a net to transfer the shrimp from the container into the main aquarium. Avoid adding any water from the acclimation container into the tank.
  8. Dispose of Bag Water: Safely dispose of the water from the bag. Do not release it into your aquarium, as it may contain contaminants or pathogens.
  9. Observe and Monitor: Keep an eye on the newly introduced shrimp/fish for the next few hours to ensure they adapt well to their new environment. Monitor their behavior and look for any signs of stress or illness.

Proper acclimation helps reduce the risk of shock and ensures a smoother transition for your new aquarium creatures. It's an essential step in ensuring their health and well-being in your tank.

Shipping & DOA Policy

  • Concerned about purchasing livestock online? Rest assured, we ship shrimps and other livestock to every corner of NSW, VIC, QLD, and SA weekly, ensuring their safe and healthy arrival. Our Dead on Arrival (DOA) policy is applied to all orders, guaranteeing your peace of mind.
  • Shrimps are carefully packed in a styrofoam box and shipped every Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday early morning to avoid weekend delays. Delivery times generally range from 1 to 3 business days depending on your location.
  • To initiate DOA claims, we kindly ask buyers to contact our dedicated support team either via email at aushrimphome@gmail.com or directly through our website's chat feature. In order to expedite a swift resolution, which may involve resending a new package, issuing a refund, or providing credit for a future order, we kindly request that buyers submit a clear photo of the deceased shrimp(s) inside the unopened bag within a maximum of 1 HOUR from the moment of Australia Post delivery. Your timely communication is pivotal in enabling us to promptly address any concerns and uphold our unwavering commitment to ensuring your satisfaction.

Important Notes Before Buying

  • Please note that our ornamental shrimps are small, with a maximum size of around 2cm. When purchasing, you'll typically receive juveniles or sub-adults measuring approximately 0.8-1.5cm, which may display less vibrant coloration than adults. However, rest assured that they originate from the same colony and offer excellent value for your investment.
  • To ensure the well-being of your shrimp/fish upon arrival, please follow the tracking number and acclimate them by slowly adding tank water to their bag/container for about one hour. This gradual transition helps them adapt to new water parameters and temperatures.
  • The images featured on our website showcase the exceptional individuals and actual shrimps/fish thriving at our facility. However, please keep in mind that as living organisms, we cannot guarantee that the shrimp/fish you purchase will be identical in color and size. Keep in mind that shipping stress may temporarily affect the shrimp's coloration, especially neocaridina species, which can become pale and translucent. However, their colors will return to their vibrant state within a few days under suitable water conditions.
  • Our pricing is based on current stock levels and market rates in Australia. We regularly adjust our prices to provide our customers with the most competitive rates available.
  • If you encounter any issues with the color or quality of the shrimp/fish, please don't hesitate to reach out. We are committed to assisting and resolving any concerns. Thank you for your trust and support!