black molly: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical (Aquaristics/Hobbies), Informal (dated slang)
Quick answer
What does “black molly” mean?
A small, peaceful, livebearing freshwater aquarium fish (Poecilia sphenops), known for its deep black colouring.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, peaceful, livebearing freshwater aquarium fish (Poecilia sphenops), known for its deep black colouring.
The term can colloquially refer to various black-coloured mollies or hybrids in the aquarium trade. In rare, dated slang, it has been used to refer to a type of illegal drug (a black capsule).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in the primary, aquarium-related meaning. The dated slang usage is more likely to be recognized in American contexts.
Connotations
Neutral in the aquarium context. The slang usage carries strong negative connotations related to illicit drugs.
Frequency
Common in global aquarium/hobbyist communities. Very rare in general discourse outside of these contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “black molly” in a Sentence
to keep [number] black molly/molliesthe black molly [verb, e.g., gave birth]a black molly in [tank/aquarium]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “black molly” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not used as a verb]
American English
- [Not used as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not used as an adverb]
American English
- [Not used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Not used as a standard adjective]
American English
- [Not used as a standard adjective]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the pet trade and aquarium supply industry.
Academic
Used in ichthyology or biology texts discussing Poeciliidae species.
Everyday
Used by aquarium hobbyists. Uncommon in general conversation.
Technical
Standard term in aquaristics for a specific colour morph/variety.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “black molly”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “black molly”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “black molly”
- Using 'black molly' as an adjective (e.g., 'a black molly fish' is redundant). Confusing it with other black fish like the black tetra.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they are generally considered hardy, peaceful, and easy to care for, making them suitable for novice aquarists.
The primary difference is its solid, deep black colouration. It is a colour variant of the same species (Poecilia sphenops) as many other mollies.
Rarely, it has been used as dated slang for a type of illicit drug capsule. However, its primary and almost exclusive modern meaning is the aquarium fish.
They thrive in warm, hard, alkaline freshwater, similar to other mollies. They are less tolerant of soft, acidic water.
A small, peaceful, livebearing freshwater aquarium fish (Poecilia sphenops), known for its deep black colouring.
Black molly is usually technical (aquaristics/hobbies), informal (dated slang) in register.
Black molly: in British English it is pronounced /ˌblæk ˈmɒl.i/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌblæk ˈmɑː.li/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a small, black fish named 'Molly' swimming peacefully in a tank.
Conceptual Metaphor
[Not commonly applied metaphorically]
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'black molly' most commonly used?