All fish / Poeciliidae

Peten molly

Poecilia kykesis

Also known as kykesis molly, petenensis molly, sailfin molly, peten sailfin molly, poecilia petenensis

This is a wild sailfin molly from Central America. Its silvery body has rows of small spots, and mature males grow a tall sail-like dorsal fin edged in orange and blue. Hobbyists who prefer wild-type livebearers keep it in planted tanks with hard, alkaline water.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

9 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

7.2 to 8.2

Smallest tank

150 litres

Keep as

Group of 1 male to 2 or 3 females or more

Diet

Omnivore: algae, spirulina and vegetable flakes, plus small live and frozen foods

Swims

Top of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Atlantic slope of southern Mexico, Guatemala and Belize, including the Usumacinta basin and Lake Petén Itzá

Breeding

Like other mollies it is a livebearer, and females drop well-formed fry every four to six weeks or so. Breeding is easy in captivity, but the fry need dense plants or a separate tank, and large males with full sails take longer to develop.

Good to know

Many authors treat it as a synonym of Poecilia petenensis, so stock may be sold under either name. Do not keep it with other molly species, because hybrids are hard to spot. It needs hard water and plenty of plant food.