The sailfin molly is a species of fish of the genus Poecilia. They inhabit fresh, brackish, and coastal waters from North Carolina to Texas and the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico.
Details
| Type | Livebearers |
| Family | Poeciliidae |
| Species | Poecilia latipinna |
| Synonyms | Mollienisia velifera |
| Origins | Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Most specimens offered for sale in the trade are captive-bred. |
| Sexual Dimorphism | Males with sailfin and gonopodium. |
| Length | 18 cm |
| Shoaling | No |
| Temperature | 25 - 28 deg C |
| Water parameters | pH 7.0 - 8.5, dH 10 - 20 |
Care
This species can attain quite a large size, so an aquarium at least 4ft long is required. For smaller aquariums, consider the standard Molly (Poecilia sphenops) which only grows to approximately half the size of the Sailfin Molly. The addition of a small amount of aquarium salt will be beneficial for the fish, and as plant cover is appreciated, robust plants tolerant of a low level of salt should be chosen. These fish are not suitable for keeping with communities of small fish species which may become harassed and even snacked upon once the boisterous Sailfin Mollies mature. Two or three female Sailfin Mollies should be kept to every male in order to prevent any one female from becoming exhausted by the males’ continual amorous intentions. Suitable tankmates would include some of the medium sized Gouramis (Trichopodus species). Sailfin Mollies are available in a huge array of colour strains. The specimen featured in the above photograph is a ‘Silver’ variety.Feeding
A good quality flake food should be alternated with a green vegetable flake food and frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, brineshrimp, daphnia etc. Sailfin Mollies will also graze on algae in the tank (although will not have any great impact on it) and will nibble on any fine-leaved plants.Breeding
Very easy provided you have a male and several females, and will not require a separate breeding aquarium unless you intend to raise larger numbers of the fry. Mollies are livebearers, and after 28 days gestation, females will release between 20 and 150 young.
