Difficulty: Beginner-FriendlySize: 4–5 inchesTemperament: Peaceful bottom-dwellerLifespan: 10–12 years 💧 Tank Setup - Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons for one, 30+ for pairs. - Water Parameters: 72–80°F, pH 6.5–7.5, soft to medium-hard water. - Environment: Provide driftwood (they need it — it’s part of their digestion) and multiple hiding spots. - Lighting: Moderate; dim corners help them feel secure. - Filtration: Strong but gentle flow — they like oxygen-rich water. 💡 Pro Tip: Add cholla wood or almond leaves. They release tannins that reduce stress and promote natural grazing behavior. 🍽️ Diet - Staple: Algae wafers and high-quality sinking pellets. - Supplement: Fresh veggies — blanched zucchini, cucumber, spinach, and sweet potato. - Protein Boost: Once a week, give frozen bloodworms or Repashy gel food. 💡 Lesser-Known Fact: They’re nocturnal eaters — feed after lights out for better nutrition and cleaner tanks. 🧬 Breeding Behavior - Type: Cave spawners. - Pairing: One male with a plump female — males have larger bristles on their heads. - Trigger: Slight temperature drop (2–3°F) and heavy feeding mimic rainy season conditions. - Caring for Eggs: The male guards eggs until hatching (4–6 days). Leave him alone — removing him too early risks fungus. 💡 Advanced Tip: Use pleco caves tilted slightly downward — males feel more secure guarding entrances. 🌿 Compatibility Great with tetras, corydoras, rasboras, and peaceful dwarf cichlids.Avoid housing with aggressive or fin-nipping species. What’s your favorite veggie to feed your plecos — and how do you prepare it? 🥒 Do you blanch it, skewer it, or just drop it in raw? Share your method (and maybe a photo)!

Difficulty: Beginner → IntermediateSize: 3–4.5 inchesTemperament: Peaceful but activeLifespan: 3–5 years 💧 Tank Setup - Tank Size: 20+ gallons for a small group. - Water Range: 75–82 °F, pH 7.5–8.5, prefers hard, mineral-rich water. - Decor: Open swimming space with plants like guppy grass or hornwort. - Filtration: Steady current and good oxygenation — they love clean, moving water. 💡 Lesser-Known Tip: Mollies do great in slightly brackish water — adding 1 tablespoon of aquarium salt per 5 gallons helps prevent disease and boosts coloration. 🍽️ Diet - Staple: Algae-based flakes or spirulina pellets. - Treats: Blanched veggies (zucchini, peas) + live or frozen brine shrimp. - Feeding Routine: Twice daily — just what they can finish in 1–2 minutes. 💡 Fact: Mollies are constant grazers — in the wild they feed on algae films, so a mature tank with biofilm keeps them happier and healthier. 🧬 Breeding Behavior - Type: Livebearer — females give birth to live fry every 4–6 weeks. - Fry Count: 20–100 depending on age and size. - Gestation: ~30 days; gravid spot near the anal fin darkens before birth. - Fry Care: Move newborns or provide dense floating plants for cover. 💡 Breeder Insight: Keep a 1 male : 3 female ratio — males chase nonstop, and this reduces stress for females. 🤝 Tank Mates Excellent with guppies, platies, swordtails, corydoras, and peaceful tetras.Avoid aggressive cichlids or fin-nippers. Who’s kept mollies in slightly salty water before? 🌊 Share your results — did you notice brighter colors or fewer illnesses? Drop a photo of your favorite color strain (black, dalmatian, gold, or balloon)!