All fish / Poeciliidae

Yucatán sailfin molly

Poecilia velifera

Also known as giant sailfin molly, yucatan molly, sailfin molly, green sailfin molly, velifera molly, yucatan sailfin molly, セイルフィンモーリー, molly sailfin, 帆鳍玛丽, 大帆鳍玛丽

This is a large livebearer, and males have a huge sail-like dorsal fin edged in blue and orange over an iridescent green and silver body. People keep it for the dramatic fin displays males put on, and because it is a hardy grazer that suits hard or slightly salty water.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

12 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

7.5 to 8.5

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Group of 4 or more, with more females than males

Diet

Omnivore: algae, spirulina flakes, blanched vegetables, plus small live or frozen foods

Swims

Top of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Brackish

Wild range

Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico (coastal lagoons and brackish waters)

Breeding

Females give birth to live young, often 20 to 100 fry, roughly every four weeks. It breeds readily in captivity, but males raised in small or cramped tanks often grow stunted sails.

Good to know

It needs a spacious tank with hard, alkaline water, and a little salt helps; soft acidic water leads to illness. Many fish sold under this name are hybrids or Poecilia latipinna, which is a smaller look-alike with fewer dorsal rays.