Edit Poecilia latipinna
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Name
Scientific name
Poecilia latipinna
Described by
Authority Lesueur, Year 1821, Bracketed
Family
Poeciliidae
Common names
Sailfin Molly
Photograph credits
All 6 credited
Summary
The sailfin molly, Poecilia latipinna, is a livebearer native to southern North America and Mexico, from Carolina to Veracruz. Bred into ma…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
125mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 76 cm, Minimum depth 38 cm, Minimum height 30 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 21–26°C, pH 7–8.5
Hardness
15–35dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Aggressive towards its own kind
Social needs
Not recorded
Community suitability
Not recorded
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Mexico, United States
Writing
Etymology
Poecilia: from the Greek poikilo, meaning ‘variable, variegated’. latipinna: from the Latin latus (wide, broad) and pinna (fin).
Distribution
Native to Southern North America and Mexico, from Carolina to Veracruz. Introduced populations have also become established in numerous countries as far rangin…
Habitat
Typically found in heavily vegetated coastal streams, ponds, swamps, canals and ditches. It's particularly associated with brackish habitats where algae and ot…
Aquarium size
76 ∗ 38 ∗ 30 cm
Maintenance
A densely planted aquarium with some open space for swimming. It should be noted that these are highly vegetarian fish so any soft-leaved plants may be destroy…
Water conditions
Temperature: 70ºF to 79ºF (21-26°C) pH: 7.0-8.5 Hardness: 15-35 dH
Diet
Wild fish are almost exclusively herbivorous, feeding on algae and other plant material. Today's tank-bred fish are far-removed from their ancestors and will a…
Behaviour and compatibility
Generally suitable for a hard water community although may pick on smaller fish as it matures. Males can be aggressive to one another, particularly when spawni…
Sexual dimorphism
Males possess a gonopodium and a large, long, sail-like dorsal fin.
Reproduction
Easy. It is recommended to maintain this species in trios of 2 females to a single male as males can be quite vigorous in their pursuit of mates. Reproduces in…
Notes
The wild fish can exhibit several different types of patterning. P. latipinna has been selectively bred into many different colour morphs for the aquarium trad…
References
References
No references