Molly
The Amazon molly (Poecilia formosa) is a freshwater fish native to the warm waters of northeastern Mexico and the southern parts of the U.S. state of Texas. It reproduces through gynogenesis, and essentially all individuals are females. The common name of "Amazon molly," acknowledges this trait as a reference to the Amazon warriors, a female-run society in Greek mythology. The Amazon molly is a hybrid species, and its parent species are the sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna) and the Atlantic molly (Poecilia mexicana). In 1932, this species was the first vertebrate confirmed to be capable of asexual reproduction. Poecilia formosa gets its name from the Greek poikilos meaning "variegated" or "speckled," and the Latin formosa meaning "beautiful."
| Life Span | 5-15 years |
What to Know Before Buying a Molly
Finding a responsible Molly breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells fishs commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Molly. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Mollys appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
Looking for a Molly breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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