Post by MADMIKE on Apr 9, 2007 16:20:13 GMT -5
Molly
Poecilia sphenops
Livebearer
Other Common Names/variations:
Black Molly, Short-finned Molly,
Pointed-mouth Molly, Sailfin Molly,
Yucatan Sailfin Molly, Green Molly,
Sailfin Molly, Lyretail Molly.
Size: Up to 5”, males smaller
Tank: 30 inches, 10 gallon
Strata: Middle, top
pH: 7.0 to 8.5
Hardness: Medium to hard dH range: 12 - 35
Temperature: 70ºF to 82ºF (21-27°C)
Family: Poeciliidae
Origin: Mexico to Colombia
Social: Peaceful
Community Tank: Yes
Lifespan: 4 years
Diet: Herbivore, Dried food, water
fleas, mosquito larvae, algae, lettuce
Breeding: Livebearer, Easy
Care: Beginner to Intermediate
Classification
Order: Atheriniformes
Suborder: Cyprinodontoidei
Family: Poeciliidae
Genera: sphenops, latipinna, velifera
General Body Form
Poecilia sphenops:
• An elongated, laterally compressed fish with a pointed snout. The caudal fin is fan-
shaped.
• The male is slightly smaller, more colorful, and has a pointed anal fin (gonopodium).
Poecilia velifera (Mexican sailfin):
The Mexican Sailfin Molly is an elongated, laterally compressed fin with a large,
elaborate dorsal fin. The snout and mouth are turned upwards toward the water
surface.
Coloration
Poecilia sphenops:
• Several subspecies and color varieties are known. The best known is the "classic"
Black Molly where the back is usually olive-brown and the sides may be silvery with
a green or blue luster marked with a series of brown or Orange dots.
Poecilia velifera:
• This is one of the most beautiful livebearers you will see. The male has a large
dorsal fin or sailfin which is orange to blue with iridescent spots. The sides of the
male are bluish green to orange and covered with small shimmering scales that are
multi-colored. The coloring is highly variable
Maintenance
Tanks of 32" (80 cm) or 30 gallons (114 L) is suitable for adults. Young can be kept in
smaller tanks. The tank should be well planted with plants and add floating plants to
serve as a retreat for young. Use wood and rocks for hiding places and use a bright light
to increase algae growth
This peaceful species can be combined in a community tank with other species that can
tolerate hard, neutral to alkaline water. Best to keep one male to several females.
As a rule the livebearers do not like acidic water. Although not a schooling fish they
benefit by being kept with a large number of their own kind.
Sailfins:
• These pretty fish are best kept alone or with other Livebearers in large well planted
aquariums. They prefer a little sea salt in their water (one teasthingy to two gallons of
water). In addition to live and flake food their diet should be supplemented with some
plant material. The males large fins depend on the nutrients from the plant food and
may not develop properly if they are not received.
• An overcrowded tank will lead to stunted growth and the male may not develop their
beautiful sailfin.
This species is more sensitive than other Mollies, and regular water changes are
essential for maintaining healthy fish. Favorable conditions are necessary for the
development of the stunning sailfin of male fish.
Breeding
As the male matures the anal fin develops into a structure for reproduction called the
gonopodium. The gonopodium can be moved in almost any direction and stores the
sperm in packs called spermatophores.
Once the sperm is inserted into the female it fertilizers her eggs and the rest is stored in
the oviduct walls for later use. The eggs are very rich in yolk and the young develop by
consuming their yolk stores. In light colored females pregnancy can be recognized by
the growing dark body marking in front of the anal fin.
Young livebearers are fairly large at birth and their development is very advanced.
They can swim right away, which is needed to avoid their enemies including their
parents who give no natal care whatsoever.
The fry grow very rapidly and will eagerly accept fine flake food. The number of fry is
variable due to the size differences in the species, but in larger females can number
well over one hundred.
Poecilia sphenops
Livebearer
Other Common Names/variations:
Black Molly, Short-finned Molly,
Pointed-mouth Molly, Sailfin Molly,
Yucatan Sailfin Molly, Green Molly,
Sailfin Molly, Lyretail Molly.
Size: Up to 5”, males smaller
Tank: 30 inches, 10 gallon
Strata: Middle, top
pH: 7.0 to 8.5
Hardness: Medium to hard dH range: 12 - 35
Temperature: 70ºF to 82ºF (21-27°C)
Family: Poeciliidae
Origin: Mexico to Colombia
Social: Peaceful
Community Tank: Yes
Lifespan: 4 years
Diet: Herbivore, Dried food, water
fleas, mosquito larvae, algae, lettuce
Breeding: Livebearer, Easy
Care: Beginner to Intermediate
Classification
Order: Atheriniformes
Suborder: Cyprinodontoidei
Family: Poeciliidae
Genera: sphenops, latipinna, velifera
General Body Form
Poecilia sphenops:
• An elongated, laterally compressed fish with a pointed snout. The caudal fin is fan-
shaped.
• The male is slightly smaller, more colorful, and has a pointed anal fin (gonopodium).
Poecilia velifera (Mexican sailfin):
The Mexican Sailfin Molly is an elongated, laterally compressed fin with a large,
elaborate dorsal fin. The snout and mouth are turned upwards toward the water
surface.
Coloration
Poecilia sphenops:
• Several subspecies and color varieties are known. The best known is the "classic"
Black Molly where the back is usually olive-brown and the sides may be silvery with
a green or blue luster marked with a series of brown or Orange dots.
Poecilia velifera:
• This is one of the most beautiful livebearers you will see. The male has a large
dorsal fin or sailfin which is orange to blue with iridescent spots. The sides of the
male are bluish green to orange and covered with small shimmering scales that are
multi-colored. The coloring is highly variable
Maintenance
Tanks of 32" (80 cm) or 30 gallons (114 L) is suitable for adults. Young can be kept in
smaller tanks. The tank should be well planted with plants and add floating plants to
serve as a retreat for young. Use wood and rocks for hiding places and use a bright light
to increase algae growth
This peaceful species can be combined in a community tank with other species that can
tolerate hard, neutral to alkaline water. Best to keep one male to several females.
As a rule the livebearers do not like acidic water. Although not a schooling fish they
benefit by being kept with a large number of their own kind.
Sailfins:
• These pretty fish are best kept alone or with other Livebearers in large well planted
aquariums. They prefer a little sea salt in their water (one teasthingy to two gallons of
water). In addition to live and flake food their diet should be supplemented with some
plant material. The males large fins depend on the nutrients from the plant food and
may not develop properly if they are not received.
• An overcrowded tank will lead to stunted growth and the male may not develop their
beautiful sailfin.
This species is more sensitive than other Mollies, and regular water changes are
essential for maintaining healthy fish. Favorable conditions are necessary for the
development of the stunning sailfin of male fish.
Breeding
As the male matures the anal fin develops into a structure for reproduction called the
gonopodium. The gonopodium can be moved in almost any direction and stores the
sperm in packs called spermatophores.
Once the sperm is inserted into the female it fertilizers her eggs and the rest is stored in
the oviduct walls for later use. The eggs are very rich in yolk and the young develop by
consuming their yolk stores. In light colored females pregnancy can be recognized by
the growing dark body marking in front of the anal fin.
Young livebearers are fairly large at birth and their development is very advanced.
They can swim right away, which is needed to avoid their enemies including their
parents who give no natal care whatsoever.
The fry grow very rapidly and will eagerly accept fine flake food. The number of fry is
variable due to the size differences in the species, but in larger females can number
well over one hundred.