Topic:
Fish
Specified
Topic: Molly (male/female)
Brainstorm:
-Semi to non-aggressive types of fish
-Fish that are used for aquariums in homes and offices
-White in color
-Original Habitat?
-Commercial / Non-Commercialized Foods?
-Commercial Uses?
-Behavior?
-Characteristics?
Basic
Outline:
I. Introduction
A.
Introductory Statement(s):
1.
Mollies are a popular domesticated type of fish.
2.
They appear in a variety of different colors and features.
3.
They are generally non-aggressive fish.
B.
Thesis: The breed of the Molly fish is one of the most well-known among avid
aquarists.
C.
Main Ideas:
1. Characteristics
2. Natural Habitat
3. Aquatic Behavior and Treatment
II. Characteristics
A.
These types of fish belong to the genus Poecilia and the family of
“live-bearers” called Poeciliidae in the order of Cyprinodontiformes.
B.
Mollies grow up to be 5 to 13 cm (2 to 5 inches) in length under favorable
conditions.
C.
Other species of these Mollies include P. Sphenops which is distinguished by
its grayish color. The P. Latipinna and
P. Velifera are known for their big, distinguishable dorsal fin which is
characteristic of the male Molly.
D.
However, cross-breeding “hybrid” fish have been done
1.
One such example is the P. Formosa female Molly which is the product of the
cross-breed between P. Sphenops and P. Latipinna.
E.
These fish come in a wide array of colors which include but are not limited to
brown, black, yellow, white, green, blue, red, and orange.
III. Natural Habitat
A.
This smaller type of tropical fish resides in the warm and calm rivers of
Central America.
B.
Most aquatic birds, reptiles, and select fish are the main types of predators
for these species.
C.
There also has been evidence that they have resided in various bodies of water
in the Amazon Rainforest.
IV. Aquatic Behavior & Treatment
A.
Due to their general peaceful behavior they have been known to adapt to the
presence of other fish.
B.
They live best in fresh water that has a pH level of 7.5 to 8.5
C.
They are seen as a threatened species by some conservation groups.
D.
Molly fish are suited to consuming flake and live diets. It is generally recommended that the flakes should
be mixed with live food.
1.
Live food include but are not limited to blackworms, bloodworms, grindal worms,
fruit flies and brine shrimp.
2. Vegetable is yet another usable food source to
attempt.
E.
Based on the compiled observations, Molly fish do not form a school type
community. Instead they choose a male
that is most sporting, colorful, and striking to be the leader of this small
hierarchy.
V. Conclusion
A.
Thesis Restatement: These fish are well known for their decorative uses in
home/office aquariums around the world.
B.
Brief Restatement Evidence and Circumstantial Information:
1.
Mollies are suited to both natural brackish and freshwater environments making
them easy to domesticate and/or release back to the wild.
2.
They are known for their seemingly calm and non-aggressive disposition among
other species of fish.
3.
They have become prey to commercial industrialization, aquatic birds, select
fish, etc…
Research:
+ “tropical fish of the genus Poecilia,
in the live-bearer family, Poeciliidae (order Cyprinodontiformes)”
(Characteristic) - Encyclopedia Britannica
+ “popular aquarium fish ranging from
about 5 to 13 cm (2 to 5 inches) long” (Uses & Characteristics) -
Encyclopedia Britannica
+ “species include the molly (P.
sphenops), which is normally grayish, and the sailfin mollies (P. latipinna and
P. velifera), which are shiny and bluish and are noted for the large, showy
dorsal fin of the male” (Characteristics & Scientific Info.) - Encyclopedia
Britannica
+ “Hybrids are […] P. formosa,…female,
resulting from a cross between P. sphenops and P. latipinna” (Characteristic) -
Encyclopedia Britannica
+ “colour varieties of mollies, among
them the black mollies” (Characteristic) - Encyclopedia Britannica
+ “small-sized tropical fish that is
found naturally in the warm and peaceful rivers of Central America” (Habitat) -
A-Z Animals
+ “calm and peaceful nature, which along
with their brightly coloured bodies […]” (Behavior) - A-Z Animals
+ “particular popular choice for
freshwater tanks of all shapes and sizes” (Domestic Use) - A-Z Animals
+ “omnivorous […] primarily eat small
invertebrates including insects and bloodworm, along with algae and food
particles in the water” (Food) - A-Z Animals
+ “numerous natural predators […] larger
fish being the most common predators of the molly. Aquatic birds and even
reptiles are also known to hunt them” (Habitat) - A-Z Animals
+ “female mollies give birth to live
young rather than laying eggs which are very likely to be eaten […] up to 100
fry at once, only a couple of weeks after fertilization occurred” (Habitat) -
A-Z Animals
+ “Rivers in the Amazon Rainforest”
(Habitat) - A-Z Animals
+ “Water Type: Fresh; Optimum pH Level: 7.5 - 8.5” (Aquarium Habitat) - A-Z Animals
+ “Conservation Status: Threatened; Colour: Brown, Black, Yellow, White, Green, Blue, Red,
Orange” (Recognition & Characteristic) - A-Z Animals
+ “Molly will accept both flake and live
foods. A flake food diet should ideally be combined with live food, such as
blackworms, bloodworms, grindal worms, fruit flies and brine shrimp. Vegetable
matter must be included in the diet” (Aquarium Habitat/Food) - Aquatic
Community
+ “Mollies will not form schools, but
they do develop a strict hierarchy among themselves. The male Molly sporting
the most striking colours and largest fins is the alpha Molly” (Aquarium Behavior)
- Aquatic Community
Author’s
Note:
Are you still stuck with a few ideas to write your report or essay on? Try some
suggested ideas such as: current publicity, recognition by wildlife
organizations, aquatic evolution, adaptations, uses in nature, reproduction,
more statistics on habitat, etc… Would you like to find more information on your project?
Check out some of the works cited sources below for more
information. Best wishes for your report
or essay.
Works
Cited:
"molly." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia
Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite.
Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, 2012.
"Molly Fish." AC Tropical Fish & Aquarium.
Aquatic Community. Web. 17 Apr. 2012. http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/livebearer/molly.php
"Molly." (Poecilia). A-Z Animals. Web. 17
Apr. 2012. http://a-z-animals.com/animals/molly/
Images Cited:
Bailey, Dr. Tom. A young mature male and female
Silver Lyretail. Digital image. AquariumFish.net. AquariumFish.net. Web. 16 Apr.
2012. http://www.aquariumfish.net/catalog_pages/livebearer_mollies/mollies_lyre_tail.htm
Bailey, Dr. Tom. Female Cremecicle Lyretail Molly.
Photograph. AquariumFish.net. AquariumFish.net. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. http://www.aquariumfish.net/catalog_pages/livebearer_mollies/mollies_lyre_tail.htm
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