The Panda Lyretail Molly (Poecilia sphenops), often sold as the Golden or Gold Panda Lyretail Molly, is a popular and striking freshwater livebearer known for its distinctive black-and-gold speckled pattern and elegant, crescent-shaped caudal fin

. They are highly active, peaceful community fish that make an excellent choice for beginners and experienced hobbyists alike.  

Tank Requirements & Water Parameters

Mollies are relatively hardy, but because they have been selectively bred for decades, they can be sensitive to poor water quality and improper parameters. Unlike many tropical fish, they strictly require hard, alkaline water.  
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons is highly recommended for lyretail varieties. Their large fins and active nature require ample swimming space.  
Temperature: Keep the water stable between 72°F and 82°F (22°C – 28°C). 
pH Range: 7.0 to 8.5. Acidic water will quickly deteriorate their health.  
Water Hardness: Highly prefer hard water (dKH 12 min / KH 15–30). If kept in soft water, they may develop "the shimmies" (rocking back and forth in place).  
Aquarium Salt: They benefit significantly from the addition of 1 teaspoon of aquarium salt per gallon to support their slime coat and replicate their brackish wild origin
Diet & Feeding
Panda Mollies are natural omnivores with a heavy requirement for plant matter. 
Daily Diet: High-quality tropical flakes or pellets with a high spirulina/veggie content.
Treats: Supplement 2–3 times a week with frozen or freeze-dried bloodworms and brine shrimp.
Algae Grazing: They will constantly pick at green algae and diatoms growing on plants and decorations, helping to keep your tank clean.
Feeding Schedule: Feed small amounts that they can completely consume within 1 to 2 minutes to avoid fouling the water. 
Social Behavior & Breeding
These are peaceful community fish that mix well with other non-aggressive species like tetras, platies, guppies, and peaceful bottom-dwellers. However, their breeding habits require careful management: 
The 2:1 Rule: Always maintain a ratio of at least two females for every one male. Males court females continuously, and keeping multiple females prevents any single fish from being exhausted or stressed to death.
Sexual Dimorphism: Males are smaller, more intensely colored, and possess a pointed anal fin called a gonopodium. Females are larger, rounder, and have a traditional fan-shaped anal fin.
Livebearing Care: As livebearers, females give birth to 50–150 free-swimming fry every 30 to 40 days. If you wish to save the babies, use a breeder box or dense floating plants (like Java Moss or Guppy Grass), as adult fish will quickly eat the fry.