Sailfin Molly (Poecilia velifera)

Scientific Name(s): Poecilia velifera

 

Common Name(s): Sailfin Molly

 

Family: poeciliidae

 

Species Type: Livebearers

 

Maximum Size: 6 inches

 

Life Span: 3 years

 

Natural Habitat: Pacific North and North America

 

Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons

 

Tank Region: Middle to top of tank.

 

Possible Tank Mates: Other brackish community fish

 

Description: A beautiful but sometimes demanding fish. Most mollies have been domesticated like the guppies. Bred for their colors and shapes, as well as their long and fanciful finnage. However, this is one of the rare occasions where the fish actually comes like this from the wild. In the wild, this fish has these large and long dorsal fins. Which in most cases, is a rarity for wild fish.

 

Temperature Range 65°F - 85°F

60°F

65°F

70°F

75°F

80°F

85°F

90°F

 

pH Range 6 - 9

pH 5.0

pH 6.0

pH 7.0

pH 8.0

pH 9.0

 

Hardness 1° - 25°

0°

10°

20°

30°

40°

 

Breeding Information: Breeding is quite easy. Females store sperm so multiple sets of fry can be born from a single fertilization. Brackish water encourages reproductive behavior and a 3-to-1 female-to-male ratio is best.

 

Sexing Information: Males have a modified anal fin and a larger

 

Diet: Omnivorous - does well with flake and pellet foods.

 

Temperment: Peaceful community fish

 

Common Diseases: The trematode, Saccocoelioides sogandaresi is a known parasite of the sailfin molly

 

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Sailfin Molly (Poecilia velifera)