Woodthorpe Hall Aquatics Balloon Molly Mix (Poecilia Sphenops)

Balloon Mollies (Poecilia sphenops) are not your typical fish. They stand out with their rounded, balloon-like bodies, offering a unique visual appeal in any aquarium. These fish are favoured for their varied colourations and playful demeanour, making them an enchanting addition to any compatible community tank. They bring a touch of whimsy and vibrant colour, sure to captivate any aquarist. Their care requirements are manageable, making them suitable for many aquarists.

Proper care, including an appropriate diet, compatible tankmates, and suitable environmental conditions, will ensure these charming fish thrive and bring continuous delight to their keepers. Balloon Mollies are sociable creatures that thrive in groups. Keeping them in groups of at least five ensures a stable and stress-free environment, allowing their social behaviours to flourish. This grouping also helps distribute any aggressive tendencies displayed during breeding periods, providing a harmonious and joyful aquarium experience.

Compatibility

Balloon Mollies are best accompanied by other peaceful fish that enjoy similar water conditions. Suitable tankmates include other Mollies, Platies, peaceful livebearers, small Tetras, Barbs, and Dwarf Gouramis. Due to their slower swimming nature and unique body shape, aggressive fish that could stress or harm balloon mollies are essential to avoid. Balloon Mollies prefer slightly alkaline water conditions with a pH between 7.5 and 8.0 and temperatures from 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C). While they can tolerate a range of salinities, slightly brackish water can help reduce stress and common diseases. The aquarium setup should include ample swimming space and areas of dense vegetation or décor to provide shelter and breeding areas.

Diet

As omnivores, Balloon Mollies benefit from a varied diet that includes both plant and animal sources. High-quality flake foods for tropical fish provide a solid foundation, supplemented with spirulina or algae wafers to cater to their vegetarian side. Occasional servings of live or frozen foods such as daphnia or bloodworms provide excellent nutritional variety and enrichment.

Origin and environment

Balloon Mollies, a variation of the species Poecilia sphenops, originate from Central America's freshwater and brackish waters, including Mexico, Colombia, and Venezuela. Unlike their wild relatives, which inhabit a range of aquatic environments, Balloon Mollies have been selectively bred in captivity to develop their unique, rounded body shape, which is quite distinct from the more streamlined form of the common molly.

Payment Methods

We accept all major Credit and Debit cards, and these are processed via a third party payment gateway called Opayo. 

We also accept payments via PayPal, PayPal credit, Clearpay and Klarna which are both pay in 4 interest-free instalments. 

Also, you can pay using Android and Apple Pay if you are using a compatible device. 

Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.

Security

When speaking to one of our team, we will never ask you for your bank details, passwords or any private information. We will only ever ask for your order number followed by either your postcode, email address or phone number to verify we are talking to the person named on the account. 

When creating an account on our website, we ask that you use a unique password, this will help keep all your online accounts safe. If you are visiting our website via a smartphone we suggest you use the strong password and store it securely on your phone. 

Our website is run on Visual Soft, which means all your data is stored securely on their servers. 

Next Day Shipping cut off is at Noon/12:00pm

Orders after that time will be processed the next working day

Please Note: Certain ponds, aquariums, all pond plants, and all livestock are excluded from free delivery.

The blue highlighted area on the map below is where we deliver on our own vehicle. Unfortunately, if you are not in one of these postcode zones we are unable to deliver certain items such as plants, small glass items and selective other products.

We offer a few different delivery options depending on the size and value of your order.

Certain orders over £50 qualify for free mainland UK (excludes Northern Ireland, Pond Plants, and livestock) delivery which will arrive within 3-5 working days of the order being processed.

Orders Below £50 in Mainland UK will be charged a standard delivery fee of £5.99.

Pond Plant and Tropical/Marine/Pond Livestock will be charged a delivery fee of £19.99.

Additional Shipping Charges

For any orders that do not include Aquariums, the below is charged:

Next Working Day Parcel Delivery to Mainland UK - £7.99 OR £2.99 if the order is over £50 (excludes Northern Ireland)

Standard Parcel Delivery to Northern Ireland £8.99

Standard Parcel Delivery to Scottish Highlands & Islands £9.99

Standard Parcel Delivery to Jersey & Guernsey £12.99

For all Aquarium, Medium - Extra Large Terrarium/Vivarium/Paludarium deliveries (Excluding biOrbs & Smaller Aquariums), the below is charged:

You must be present for delivery and please check your item before signing for delivery.

A payment link will be sent to you if redelivery is required.

Next Working Day Pallet Delivery - £20

2 Hour Booking Slot Pallet Delivery - £20

Pallet Delivery to Northern Ireland - £45

Saturday and OptiClear 90 & 120 Delivery - £60

Pallet Delivery to Isle of Wight (PO30 and Above) and Scottish Highlands (AB, PH, IV1-36, IV, KW1-14, KY, PA21-41) - £45

Pallet Delivery to the Scottish Isles (KA27-28, PA60-90, ZE, JE, GY, IM, IV40-56, KW15-17, PH42-44, PA20, PA42-49) - £120

Pallet Delivery to Outer Hebrides (HS) - £140

Pond's over 1000 litres will be a curb side pallet delivery.

Aquariums over 125 litre will be a curb side pallet delivery.

The couriers we use are Royal Mail, DX, APC, and UPN.

Standard Delivery

Northern Ireland Standard Delivery

Next Day Delivery

Cut off is Noon/12:00pm

Saturday Delivery

Cut off is Noon/12:00pm

Livestock Delivery

Cut off is Noon/12:00pm

Plant Delivery

Cut off is Noon/12:00pm

Standard Curb Side Pallet Delivery

Cut off is Noon/12:00pm

Next Day Curb Side Pallet Delivery

Cut off is Noon/12:00pm

Saturday Curb Side Pallet Delivery

Cut off is Noon/12:00pm

Northern Ireland Curb Side Pallet Delivery