Poecilia “sphenops, Valenciennes, 1846

Freyhof, Jörg, Yoğurtçuoğlu, Baran, Jouladeh-Roudbar, Arash & Kaya, Cüneyt, 2025, Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia, De Gruyter : 769-770

Poecilia “sphenops ”

Common name. Mexican molly.

Diagnosis. Character states often intermediate between this “species” and P. “ latipinna ”. Distinguished from other species of Poeciliidae in West Asia by: ● usually 9½ dorsal rays in male, not forming a sail / ● dorsal origin behind vertical of pelvic origin / ○ both sexes with rows of small black, grey or brown spots on flank or flank black or black mottled / ○ male without coloured blotches or stripes / ○ dorsal larger in male than in female / ○ flank not red / ○ pelvic of male modified, tip of first ray enlarged, different in male and female / ○ gonopodium short / ○ body moderately elongate / ○ no lateral stripe / ○ male without sword-like prolongation on caudal. Size up to 75 mm SL.

Distribution . Hybrids identified as this species are locally established in Israel and Italy, at several sites in Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, including Al-Ahsa oasis, adjacent to Lake Alsfar, and coastal wetlands at Salwar, north of Qatif and south of Jubail. Also established in UAE for 40 years or more in Ruwayyah, a traditional plantation area inland from urban Dubai. Also, present on a recently developed golf course on outskirts of Dubai. Poecilia sphenops is native to Central America, from Mexico to Guatemala. Widespread in tropical areas through aquarium releases.

Habitat. Euryhaline, but usually in slightly brackish waters and lower parts of rivers, lagoons, marshes, and streams.

Biology. Matures in less than a year. Produces up to 150 young after a gestation period of about 28 days. Females give birth throughout year in warm waters. Feeds on algae and small invertebrates. Black variety (Black Molly) is a popular aquarium fish and is marketed throughout the world.

Conservation status. Non-native; released from aquaria.

Remarks. Non-native mollies are incorrectly identified as P. sphenops . See notes under P. “ latipinna ”. In the UAE, this molly occurs in two colour variants: pale beige and black beige mottled. In its native range, several species appear to be included in P.sphenops , further complicating thesituation.

Further reading. Miller 2005 (distribution, identification); Freyhof et al. 2020 (distribution in Arabia).

Figures

Poecilia “sphenops ”

Distribution