Sailfin Molly

Poecilia latipinna

These livebearing fish are best kept in groups, to reduce harassment keep several females to each male. Sailfin mollies need a high KH or the addition of aquarium salt to thrive. Good for controlling blue-green algae in brackish or even marine aquaria

Overview

Synonyms	Mollienisia latipinna
Distribution	South Eastern coastal US from Carolina, ranging into Mexico. Wild fish are seldom seen in the aquarium.
Maximum Size	12cm
Temperature	22-28°C
Water Parameters	pH: 7.5-8.5, dH: 10-20 degrees.
Compatibility	Specialist community
Lighting	No special requirements
Sexual Dimorphism	Males with sailfin and gonopodium.
Feeding	Flake, granules, pellets, algae wafers and frozen foods

Description

Care

The Sailfin molly can be found in the wild in coastal waters influenced by the tides and even after decades of domestication, they fare better in a brackish, or even marine aquarium.

For aquaria where the addition of salt or a high KH is likely to be a problem, consider the Sphenops molly (Poecilia sphenops) which is far more adaptable. Sailfin mollies are handsome fish and males will spend much of their time displaying to rivals and trying to impress the females. They are at their best when kept in groups that allow them to exhibit this behaviour and three or more males in a large aquarium outnumbered by females will be a very interesting set up. Algae is a very important part of their diet and they will spend hours grazing throughout their aquarium, making many of the algae-based wafers or pellets a very suitable choice as a staple food.

Sailfin mollies are available in a huge array of colour strains, some of which involve hybridisation with P. sphenops and possibly P. velifera.

Feeding

A good quality plant-based flake food should be supplemented with algae wafers or pellets. Frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, brineshrimp, daphnia etc. are welcomed. Sailfin Mollies will also graze on algae in the tank 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.

Where can I buy these aquarium fish or invertebrates?

If you like this species and would like to find out more, we have an enormous range of aquarium fish and invertebrates available to buy in all of our stores across the UK (including freshwater tropical and marine fish). However, please note that this species may not be available in your chosen store, even if the store specialises in this particular species. This is due to seasonality and stock availability from store-to-store. Please check with your local store about availability of specific species to purchase before making a journey.

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Sailfin Molly

Poecilia latipinna

Overview

Description

Care

Feeding

Breeding

Where can I buy these aquarium fish or invertebrates?

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Sailfin Molly

Poecilia latipinna

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