Golden Panda Molly, like most other Mollies, is a hybrid fish that was crossbred by people. it’s said that the Golden Panda Molly is bred from Gold Dust Molly and another type of fish but that’s not confirmed.
Molly is derived from the genus Mollinesia and was named in honor of the once french politician Francois Nicolas Molliens in the 17 century.
Currently, it is very difficult to trace the exact origins of the Golden Panda Molly as they have been crossbred many times in the past both commercially and by hobbyists.
The Golden Panda Molly that we see today might just be another variation that became popular in the past.
Why are they popular?
They are very peaceful and docile creatures that won’t require much care, they are totally beginner friendly like the rosy loach.
In addition to their beautiful appearance, Golden Panda Mollies are popular community fish that can be kept in the same tank as many other types of mollies and other types of fish such as guppies and platies, they generally can be great tank mates with any other kind of peaceful species.
And their ability to crossbreed with many other Mollies makes them a popular choice for breeding.
Appearance
Features:
Appearance-wise, Golden Panda Molly is generally smaller than other Mollies, with an egg-shaped body and slightly curved fins.
Their color is usually bright yellow or orange with black on their dorsal fin and tail which can sometimes cover half of their body. They also come in other color variations depending on whom they were bred with.
Their beautiful appearance and coloration make them a popular type of species to collect among enthusiasts.
Size & Gender differentiation
Typically, Golden Panda Mollies reach a maximum adult size of 2 inches (5cm) and can grow up to 3 inches (7cm) in some rare cases.
Male Golden Panda Mollies have a slimmer body shape and pointed fins than their female counterparts.
On the other hand, females have more of a rounded shape and a slightly more bulky abdomen.
Males also have swordtails which belong to Xiphophorus fish with gonopodium, a modified anal fin used for fertilization, while females have a normal, rounded anal fin.
It’s important to differentiate between their gender so before buying them or grouping them with your already existing fish to ensure a peaceful and well-balanced environment for living and breeding.
Habitat and Tank Requirements
Natural habitat
Golden Panda Molly is native to Mexico and Columbia freshwater streams. They are found in places rich in plantations and vegetation.
Tank size and requirements:
Due to their small size keeping them in a small 20-gallon (75-liter) tank is recommended but of course, they wouldn’t complain if it’s bigger.
They are schooling fish, so the more of them there are, the better. As such, you should keep them in groups of 5 at least, paying attention to the ratio of male to female, as you wouldn’t want to have an all-male group.
Like the Golden Phantom fish, they are also jumpers. This means if you don’t secure the lid you will notice a decrease in their number over time as they will jump from the tank.
Tank setup
If you are just setting up your tank for the first time and plan on adding a group of Golden Panda Mollies, It’s necessary to make sure that they have enough hiding places by making sure your tank has a lot of plans as they like to hide in them.
A perfect setup for them would be a tank thick in plants and sand.
I would also recommend adding more live plants than artificial ones. You can also add decorations and rocks just make sure they don’t have sharp edges so as not to hurt them.
Recommended water parameters:
The recommended water temperature should be 72-78°F (22-26°C) and pH level should be around 7-8 and water hardness which is a measure of the concentration of dissolved minerals in the water should be from 10 to 20.
The right water temperature and hardness are very important That will affect their health and breeding so it should be set up correctly and checked regularly.
I would also recommend checking the right parameters with your supplier if you are setting up your tank for the first time.
It is also important to regularly check the fluctuation of temperature and other parameters. Sometimes the water quality deteriorates and the water temperature drops or rises due to certain conditions.
Diet
what do they eat in their natural habitat?
The Golden Panda Molly is an omnivore and like other Mollies, they are used to feeding on :
- Crustaceans
- Insect larvae
- Algae
So if your aquarium has an excessive number of algae, adding Golden Panda Mollies can be a good choice.
What should they be fed?
You won’t have a problem finding the right diet for Golden Panda Mollies. You can easily feed them pellets, bloodworms, and other kinds of frozen foods.
As they are used to living in lush and green habitats, it will be good to add plant-based foods to their diet.
Frequency
Like most other ornamental fish, it is advisable to feed them twice a day or at your discretion. However, be sure not to overfeed them otherwise they will become sick or obese.
For example, it is recommended to feed them small amounts that they can consume within a few minutes and remove any other leftover food after they finish and walk away.
Diseases
Potential diseases include some of the most common fish diseases such as fungal infections, ich, and fin rot.
These diseases can cause severe symptoms, including skin and fin loss, lethargy, and even death.
It’s important to check regularly on them and isolate any fish that might show abnormal behaviors, otherwise, it’s likely that it will spread to others.
You should also make sure that you maintain good water quality, a varied diet, and enough space for them to move around to prevent them from falling sick.
Maintaining the tank
Regularly changing the water is a must, otherwise, your fish might not be able to avoid illnesses and in extreme cases die.
You can change 20% of the water weekly but that also depends on the size of your tank. With bigger tanks, more water should be changed. And during the change, make sure not to startle or affect the environment of the fish by lowering or raising the temperature.
You should also regularly change your water filter and do so following the manufacturer’s instructions. A bad filter setup can lead to poor water quality in the tank which in turn make the fish in your tank susceptible to diseases.
Breeding
A different type from other types of fish which are egg scatterers like the Silvertip Tetra, the Golden Panda Molly is a livebearer which means it will give birth instead of laying eggs. The procedure isn’t that complicated and they are easily bred in a relatively well-maintained tank.
One thing to note is that the female Golden Panda Molly can store multiple sperms in her belly so it will be difficult to accurately pinpoint the fry species.
The female will also become more aggressive and isolate herself while pregnant.
Golden Panda Mollies usually give birth to a dozen of fry at once, but be sure to pay attention to the fry so they won’t get eaten by other fish in the community tank or even by their parents.
Conclusion
As we have known, Golden Panda Molly is a very peaceful fish that is suitable for a community aquarium. The fish are hardy and easy to care for, they will brighten and add color to your aquarium.
Their diet is varied, so you won’t have any problems caring for them. Golden Panda Mollies can easily be bred and crossbred with other Mollies. This makes it a great choice for those who want to have more variations in their aquarium.
It is best to get more than 5 Golden Panda Mollies when deciding to buy them. This is because they might not be as active as you expected them to be. In fact, they are a very active type of fish by nature, unlike many others.
At last, I would like to emphasize that while the general outline for caring for The Golden Panda Molly is easy and clear, it will be best to take some time to make a list of things you should do to track your diet and living environment.
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