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Para molly (Poecilia parae) — Poeciliidae

Para molly

Poecilia parae
Family: Poeciliidae
LC · Least Concern

The Para molly (Poecilia parae) is a brackish-water fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The parae is a small livebearer of the family Poeciliidae from northern South America. The species is small; males occur in several heritable colour morphs, making the species a model organism for the evolution of colour polymorphism. Like all poeciliids the female bears live young and the male fertilises internally with a gonopodium. It lives in fresh and brackish waters of estuaries, small swamps and shallow, slow-flowing creeks inland. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Para molly?

The Para molly has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Para molly live?

The Para molly lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Para molly get?

The Para molly grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Para molly dangerous to humans?

No, the Para molly is harmless to humans.

Is the Para molly edible?

The Para molly is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Parae-levendbarende sourced
English name
Para molly verified
Scientific name
Poecilia parae
Family
Poeciliidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Poecilia

More from the family Poeciliidae

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