Poecilia velifera

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Sailfin Molly
Golden Female Sailfin Molly
Species	Poecilia velifera
Difficulty	Easy
Min. Tank Size	94.635 liters 94,635.295 mL 25 US Gallons (94.6L)
Size	15.24 cm 5-6 " (12.7-15.2cm)
pH	7.5 - 8.2
Temp.	298.15 K 77 °F 536.67 °R 301.15 K 82.4 °F 542.07 °R25 -28 °C (77-82.4°F)
Water Hardness	8-14
Stocking Ratio	1:2 M:F
Availability	Uncommon
Diet	Omnivore Pellet Foods Flake Foods Live Foods Other (See article)
Life Span	3-5 years

[edit] Alternative names

Name of this fish depends on its colour and fin shape.

For example: Green Sailfin (wild), Red Sailfin, Black Sailfin, Silver Sailfin, Dalmatian Sailfin, Gold or Golden Sailfin (Albino), Mexican Sailfin, Yucatan, Veiltail.

[edit] Sexing

Male has the large dorsal fin with small round light spots for display purposes and a gonopodium fin. Female is larger and rounder bellied.

[edit] Tank compatibility

A generally peaceful fish but males will chase females of both this species of Molly and other livebearers. Best kept with robust but not aggressive tankmates. They should be kept in the ratio of 1 male to 2-3 females.

[edit] Diet

Eats vegetables mainly, including Algae. Will eat a wide range of food including Flake, raw Cockles, Bloodworm and pellet food.

[edit] Feeding regime

Feed once or twice a day.

[edit] Environment Specifics

These fish require a large spacious tank with plenty of open swimming space and hiding places. They do best at lower-end brackish rather than freshwater. Keep them in salt-free water can lead to the Shimmies.

[edit] Behaviour

Generally peaceful fish, males will chase females. Are known to eat their own fry.

[edit] Idenfification

Looks very like Poecilia latipinna. But the male of P. velifera has a larger dorsal fin with pearly spots. One of the most attractive of the Mollys.

[edit] Special Notes

This fish breeds with other Molly species and so there are lots of hybrid versions of this fish which have different dorsal and caudal shaped fins, varieties of colour forms, as well as different lengths of body.

[edit] Pictures

Male Golden Molly

Female and Male Golden Mollies

Male Sailfin Molly

[edit] External links

• Fishbase
• Mongabay
• Wikipedia
• Platy Profile & Video