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 ver- tical 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, adja- cent 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 aquar- ium 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