Common Livebearers
Guppies (Poecilia reticulata) — smallest, most colorful, fastest breeders.
Platies (Xiphophorus maculatus) — peaceful, mid-sized, steady breeders.
Swordtails (Xiphophorus hellerii) — males with sword-shaped tails. Active swimmers.
Mollies (Poecilia sphenops) — larger, salt-tolerant, prolific breeders.
Water Tolerance
All livebearers prefer slightly alkaline water (pH 7.5-8.0). Most tolerate slight salinity.
Mollies LOVE 1-2 tablespoons aquarium salt per 10 gallons — improves health visibly.
Breeding Reality
Females arrive pregnant from pet shops. Drop fry without male present.
Each female has 20-100 fry per cycle. Multiple cycles per year.
Population control — predator fish or selective breeding necessary.
Avoid Mixing Species
Hybrids occur — platy/swordtail crosses common.
Genetic mess — first-generation hybrids look variable and unpredictable.
Stick to one species per tank for clean breeding.