Gold Doubloon Molly – Overview, Tank Requirements, FAQs

This fish body has a shimmering color,and has length of 5” (12.7 cm) with tiny fins. This vibrant-shaded molly fish needs live plants, small pebbles, and large space as a result of its jumping nature.

Yet again, the received knowledge jars with actual reality. A gold doubloon molly may seem straightforward to breed – they’re livebearers after all – however, countless folks have tried to rear broods of baby gold doubloon molly and have failed.

This article contains information you need to keep a gold doubloon molly in a storage tank. Also, most queries associated with a gold doubloon molly is answered during this article.

History

The Gold doubloon molly may be a molly you will realize during an aquarium trade. Several consultants assume gold doubloon molly may be a hybrid of the gold dust molly and possibly the Dalmatian molly. It probably does not live in the wild.

The sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna) and therefore the common molly (Poecilia sphenops) are included in the cross breeding. And a few breeders considers the Latin name of the gold doubloon molly to be Poecilia sphenops probably than Poecilia latipinna.

Breeders bred a hybrid known as the gold dust molly after deciding to breed a new kind. This sort was created by combining the gold dust molly and another species. It is probably that the dalmatian or black molly was involved in the combination, and this created the gold doubloon molly.

Overview of a Gold Doubloon Molly

• Name: Gold Doubloon Molly
• Family: Poeciliidae
• Species: Mollies
• Scientific Name: Poecilia latipinna
• Size: 2 to 5 inches
• Minimum Tank Size: Thirty gallons
• Care Level: Moderate
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Tank temperature and pH: 68°F to 82°F, pH 7.0 to 8.0

A gold doubloon molly belongs to Poecilia latipinna, the harlequin sailfin molly. They have a noteworthy color combination of gold and black. This molly has a short fin.

Most of its habits belong to the gold mollies. The approximate size of a gold doubloon molly is about 1-1/4 inches to 2 inches but they will grow the maximum amount as 5 inches in size. To keep this fish in captivity, you must keep the water pH between 7.0 and 7.8.

The gold doubloon molly male often raises their fin when threatening rival males or making an attempt to impress potential mates. 

Habitat

Gold doubloon molly is euryhaline. This suggests they will change their bodies to live in both fresh and saline conditions. In some cases, they will live and breed absolutely well in undiluted seawater.

A gold doubloon typically cannot thrive in an aquarium with soft or acidic water, it prefers hard, base water conditions. However, they can still adapt to a spread of salt levels within the storage tank.

It is common in saline habitats, together with briny ditches and lagoons. Usually, you will realize some in marine environments, albeit in terribly shallow water. For example, round the roots of mangroves or artificial habitats like harbors.

The mollies in marine museum outlets are hybrids that thrive well in fresh — provided all other parameters are good, significantly water quality and hardness. Still, wise aquarists can stock the molly marine museum with salt-tolerant plants and tank mates, simply just in case they need small salt for good health.

Physical and Behavioral Traits of a Gold Doubloon Molly

The gold doubloon molly shares the brilliant coloration of the harlequin sailfin molly, however, without all that fin flair. It`s a short-finned form of Poecilia latipinna molly and features a black and gold color combination.

A gold doubloon molly is playful and energetic however it is peaceful. Hence, it makes an energetic and lively addition to community tanks.

Determining Sex of Gold Doubloon Molly

A gold doubloon molly male features a larger fin than it`s feminine counterpart. Also, the male can show elliptic markings on the anal fin called egg spots. Typically, males are more colorful and smaller than females.

Mollies and Guppies

Mollies and guppies are terribly closely related, each being members of the genus Poecilia. A molly have placed in their own genus, Mollienesia, and it absolutely was from this that the common name ‘molly’ was derived. The name Mollienesia was coined in honor of François Nicolas Mollien. Who is a French politician of the late eighteen and early nineteenth centuries?

Practically all the mollies fish stores sell to aquarists are hybrids of a variety of species found across Central America and therefore the southern United States. Though it is common to explain a marine museum fish as being Poecilia sphenops or whatever, in reality, the genetic science of all commercially produced fish is dispiritedly muzzy. And applying any sort of Latin name to them is totally irrelevant.

The Truth About Gold Doubloon Mollies

It is possible to spot the ancestors of the marine museum fish, and doing this therefore reveals some valuable clues and background story on the optimum conditions under which you should keep these fish. Poecilia Mexicana and Poecilia sphenops are two rather similar species each known as shortfin mollies.

They are both rather variable in terms of color, although generally greenish-silver with patterns of brown, olive, yellow, and black spots.

Typically, it is aforementioned, although not without any overpoweringly compelling proof, that Poecilia Mexicana, in particular, was the ‘rootstock’ from which most of the marine museum strains of molly were derived together with the gold doubloon molly. This was carried out, by careful crossing with other species of molly displaying fascinating options.

Diet and Nutrition of a Gold Doubloon Molly

A gold doubloon molly is unquestionably an omnivore, that consumes both animal and plant foods. Therefore, the accent should always be on plant-based foodstuffs. Spirulina flake and pellets make good staples, and meaty things like bloodworms. Although all mollies consumes their food voraciously, you need to add meaty foods sparingly: once or twice a week at the most.

A gold doubloon molly jaws can protrude forwards to create a kind of scraping tool ideal for rasping algae from plants and rocks. While all-devouring in the wild and in captivity, it’s a wise plan to confirm your molly get plenty of green foods to eat. In brightly-lit tanks, there is also enough algae for them to eat. Although, you can supplement this with Spirulina flake and alternative algae-based foods.

Also, you can add softened salads and veggies, with blanched lettuce. Whereas, well-done spinach is especially popular with most mollies. As mentioned before, minimize the utilization of meaty foods, particularly nutritious foods like bloodworms. Typically, this could solely be minor compnents of their diet within the wild, and that they tend to be healthier and live longer once you serve them a predominantly plant-based diet.

Common Diseases with Gold Doubloon Molly

A gold doubloon molly features a lower resistance to fungus and ich. Also, it is prone to a condition referrred to as shimmies that makes them shiver and shave. Typically, adding a teaspoon of marine museum salt to the water helps to put a stop to these health issues.

Breeding & Spawning Gold Doubloon Molly

To breed this species in captivity, the breeding tank, 50 gallons, ought to have 2 to 3 females per male, water temperature should be about 79ºF and it should have several floating plants. They are livebearers and their gestation takes around a pair of months.

Many fish-keepers are awake to the ‘gravid spot’, the dark patch that seems between the abdomen and the anal fin when feminine live-bearers are carrying their young. Also, when the dark tissue of the womb pushes against the thin muscle wall of the abdomen the patch itself forms.

Though, clearly visible on tiny species like guppies, it isn’t so obvious on larger species like mollies. Particularly, those ones with dark, intense, or peppered coloration.

Can Different Types of Molly Fish Mate Breed?

Albeit there are several varieties of molly fish, fish-keepers can mate all together. This is because, regardless of the color or fin configuration, they are the same species. Also, any male will readily fertilize with all females. For the most part, it is easy to breed mollies. A single gold doubloon molly can produce about 100 baby mollies or more.

Typically, a male gold doubloon molly with the largest fin and brightest color will mostly breed with the females, because they are hierarchical fish when you keep different types of mollies in your fish tank.

So, put simply, different colors and shapes of mollies are still the same fish and will readily breed.

Tank Requirements

You should keep your gold doubloon mollies in at least a 30-gallon tank with plenty of swimming room and only maintain them with other peaceful fish that prefer hard water with elevated salt levels.

Aquarium Size & Setup

The main reason why we recommend bigger aquariums are better is that they are easier to care for. The water quality will suffer if the space is small, although, they can easily adapt to smaller living space. Usually, the more water you have in an enclosed area, the easier it is to be clean.

Therefore, think of it like making ‘Kool-Aid’ in the kitchen. The larger container you have of water, the more dilute the mixture is going to be. Also, fish poop and uneaten food may sinks to the bottom of your aquarium. Therefore, the smaller the body of water, the easier it gets dirty.

It is very common to tell you that you need a 20-gallon tank for this fish. But, you can use a bit smaller if you need to. Especially in a case whereby, the amount of fish you are raising is little. Although, this fish is not going to squeeze into a tiny desk tank as some tetras and guppies do. Usually, we recommend that you keep the species of molly fish that get larger in size than 3 inches in a minimum of 30-gallon tanks.

Oxygen

Typically, an aquarium having too much oxygen is not that much a problem to have. If your fish do not have enough oxygen, they are going to die very fast. Mollies and other live-bearing fish do not mind the air bubbles in their tank. Although, bubbler setups can really add value to your tank other than oxygen.

Therefore, if you are thinking of setting up an air pump setup, maybe look into small sponge filter setups. This is because they run from bubbler setups and really can filter your aquarium water very well. While you will also be getting the added benefit of air stone. Therefore, you can really get two sides of benefit with one device on this one.

There is an underrated aquarium filtration method and it is the sponge filter setup. Typically, a lot of breeders even today use sponge filters over all the leading technology in aquarium filtration. It is simple and hard to beat.

Tonic Salt

Tonic salt is basically sodium chloride, i.e. cooking salt, but without the addition of iodine. Especially, when they are in soft, acidic conditions they are prone to fungal and bacterial infections, usually, you should add small amounts of tonic salt to keep these on check. We recommend a dosage of around one to two teaspoons per 10 l/2.1 gals of water.

A higher dosage of a marine aquarium salt mix is superior compared to the use of tonic salt. This is because, it lacks the appropriate range of trace elements and buffering salts. If you’re setting up a planted brackish water aquarium, it is better to use a marine aquarium salt mix. You should do this at a dose of about 4-6 g/liter (roughly a level teaspoon per liter) for specific gravity of 1.002-1.003 at 25ËšC/77°F.

Water Chemistry

A gold doubloon molly needs hard, alkaline water to do well. And, in the wild, you can rarely find them in soft water. Therefore, you should aim to provide general hardness levels of 20ËšDH or higher. Also, ensure the carbonate hardness is high as well (10ËšKH or more). So, the pH stays steady between water changes, ideally around 7.5 to 8.5.

Ideally, you should keep mollies alone. But, if you must keep them with other species, you should choose ones with similar requirements.

Typically, a good choice is the Hoplosternum littorale and the Brown hoplo catfish. This is because, it can be found in the same habitats and it enjoys similar water conditions. Also, they tolerate brackish water perfectly well.

Water Temperature & Heaters

A gold doubloon molly is a tropical fish. This means you need an aquarium heater. Typically, the water temperature should be between 78 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, when you buy a heater figure on needing 5 watts per 1 gallon of water in which your aquarium size is.

Usually, buying a quality brand heater means they are safer (don’t explode) and save on your electricity bill. Although, this new Eheim Jager heaters have been taking over the market lately because of their low cost and quality components.

If you have a filter running on your tank, you don’t necessarily need an air pump but it is a good backup in case your filter fails. it is always advised to buy and use an air pump. Also, you should throw on a sponge filter instead of an air stone. This is because they do the same thing except they filter your water TOO! It’s knocking out two birds with one stone.

Most importantly, the sponge filter will save the tank itself when your filter fails.

Nitrate Level

A gold doubloon molly seems to be peculiarly sensitive to nitrate, especially in a freshwater aquarium. Typically, the toxicity of nitrate (and nitrite) can be reduced by salt, and this makes it often seem easier to breed in brackish water compared with freshwater.

Similar to dwarf cichilds which are nitrate-sensitive fish, the best practice is to aim for nitrate levels at or below 20 mg/l. Also, constant water changes will help, as well as lightly stocking the aquarium. Furthermore, feeding fish every once in a while and avoiding protein-rich foods such as bloodworms also helps.

Nitrate can also be removed between water changes by fast-growing plants. This is because, floating plants is perhaps the easiest to grow and crop back as necessary.

Respiration

Like most fish, a golden doubloon molly respires by extracting oxygen from the water and pumping it through their gill cavities.

Generally, mollies have the ability to put up with stagnant, oxygen-poor water longer than other livebearers. Typically, it swims to the surface and pumps the uppermost layer of water, which contains the most oxygen, across their gills. They can also increase the amount of hemoglobin in their blood to absorb oxygen from the water more effectively.

Typically, forcing mollies to work this way is bad for them in an aquarium, and you can easily detect if circulation or aeration of the water is not adequate if your fish spend a lot of time at the surface.

Type of Water for a Gold Doubloon Molly Fish

We recommend temperature range for a molly between 75-80° F. Since, it is native to tropical parts of the world, you should set the pH between 7 and 8. Also, we do not recommend using driftwood in the aquarium. This is because driftwood is known to lower the pH value. Typically, a molly will do best in a decorated aquarium where a big open area has been left from swimming around in.

A gold doubloon molly is said to be a brackish water fish (freshwater mixed with saltwater). Furthermore, the rate of saltwater should be terribly poor. Usually, most molly fish that we buy as fish keepers from pet stores are going to be more adaptable to regular freshwater. And, this is what you should mostly go with.

Typically, salt in your freshwater does help out with bacteria and such. But, if you have other freshwater roommates it is hard to put salt in the water and mix up their water parameters just to make the mollies a little happy. Furthermore, they will do just fine with plain fresh water and you can add small amounts.

Tank Decorations

Most aquarists consider a gold doubloon molly fish to be “mid-level” swimmers, and really love all decorations. It is not right to tell you that some decorations are better than others because it’s not completely true. Therefore, the only factor you should consider to keep is the fact that your fish is able to hide from bullies.

In all aquarium circumstances, there is going to be more aggressive fish along with more timid fish. The aggressive fish will push and chase around the timid fish. Therefore, it is important to have enough hiding spaces for those scarred fish to hide and feel safe in certain scenarios. Furthermore. the more plants your tank has, the safer it is going to be for aggression levels becoming dangerous.

Gold Doubloon Molly Tank Mate

A gold doubloon molly grows to around 3 inches in length and is rarely aggressive towards other fish. Typically, it does great with any of the common tropical fish. Therefore, it is important to keep fish of similar size together.

This prohibits larger fish eating smaller fish. Most importantly, the only problem you might encounter is some mild fin nipping with other tank mates. Therefore, just watch your fish and keep an eye on them. Some examples of common fish that can be kept with mollies include:

• Guppies
• Platies
• Swordtails
• Tetras
• Gourami Fish
• Shrimps
• Danios
• Pleco Catfish
• Angelfish
• Cichlids

If you are having issues with aggression and fighting between your fish, you can always add more decorations or plants. Also, to prevent your fish from getting picked on, you should always have obstacles in the tank and hiding spots in your tank. Lastly, live planted aquarium tanks do extra well for these fish.

Male Mollies as the Alpha Fish

Typically, in the rank of the molly fish it is easy to discover that the males are the king and most alpha when it comes to . They are the most beautiful as well. Usually, one male with three females is going to give your tank a very safe environment.

Typically, this gives the male a chance to choose one out of a pack instead of forcing his way into what has to be done. Furthermore, having numerous males in one tank will cause lots of aggression with Alphas fighting.

Will Different Mollies Live Together?

As with breeding, these fish are the same species, and they’ll live together albeit the need to establish a pecking order the first time a fish keepers add them into a new aquarium.

Usually, it takes them a couple of days to position, but as soon as they become established, they will swim together. Therefore, an individual will barely spend time alone then join the rest.

Aggression with Other Fish

A gold doubloon molly is known to nip at other fish’s fins but it’s not to a drastic measure. They are for the most part very peaceful and keep to themselves. The unique feature of a molly fish is the fact that they set up a division of hierarchy.

Usually, each Molly fish is going to have his or her level of importance and they live and die by these levels. You can think of them as little soldiers that have different role ranks. People thought it was crazy saying this until they actually realized it was happening right under their eyes.

It is not quite certain why they do this hierarchy of levels but it’s just how the fish is. You will see a fish with less rank come up to a fish that has more power and it is almost as if the fish is kissing his shoes “sort of say.”

Usually, they will back out of each other’s way and do lots of unique things regarding their rank levels. There are records of zero incidents as far as the fish being over aggressive with other tank mates in the same habitat level. Typically, mollies are very peaceful and civil to be around for other fish in the same habitat of living.

FAQs

How big does a gold doubloon molly get?

They can grow to around 5 inches in length.

What is the life expectancy of a gold doubloon molly?

It is typically 5 years. Usually, they grow fully by 4 months of age. Also, an adult molly can grow to be 5 inches in length, and if you care for them properly, they can live up to 5 years.

Is a gold doubloon molly a hybrid?

Yes, they are. A gold doubloon molly is a molly found in the aquarium trade. Many people assumed the doubloon molly is a hybrid of the gold dust molly and possibly the Dalmatian molly.

Where does a gold doubloon molly live in the wild?

Typically, they inhabit fresh, brackish, salt, and coastal waters from North Carolina to Texas and the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico.

How many babies do a gold doubloon molly have?

Every 60 to 70 days the female will give birth to 10 to 60 young that are already approximately one-half inch long (1½̎).

Does a gold doubloon molly eat its babies?

Yes, they do. Typically, all mollies feed on their babies. This is because they are very nippy and tend to become a very aggressive eater. They consider anything that fits into their mouth as food.

Their newborn babies are very small just about the size of pellet food, which is why you can see them eating their babies after giving birth.

How do I keep a baby gold doubloon molly alive?

You should separate the pregnant gold doubloon female molly from the main display aquarium, till she releases her fry. You should remove the female, and return her to the main display aquarium, after the pregnant female releases all her fry.

Conclusion

For such widely-traded fish, surprisingly, people poorly understands a gold doubloon molly. Fortunately, this article provided information that makes them a remarkable fish and well worth keeping.