Sailfin Molly

Add peaceful grace to your home aquarium with these gorgeous Blood Red Sailfin Molly. Like other members of the Poecilia genus, this fish is particularly suited for community aquariums with hard water. Known as a peaceful fish, it makes the perfect addition to any community aquarium with tankmates of similar temperament.

Native to fresh and brackish coastal waters of North America, Sailfin Mollies are commonly found in shallow waters along marshes, streams, ponds, and swamps. In the home aquarium, they should be kept in well-planted systems with open swimming areas and plenty of hiding locations among plants for pregnant females.

Distinguishing sexes is fairly easy by sight. Males have genitalia in front of the anal fin and distinctly larger dorsal fins. A livebearing species, females give birth to between 10 and 150 fry after a short gestation period. Once birthed, parents do not care for their young.

Classified as omnivores, feed Sailfin Mollies a diet rich in plant material, including algae wafers. If not fed sufficiently, Sailfin Mollies may turn to your aquatic plants for nourishment, so care needs to be taken with these sometimes voracious eaters. Occasional feedings of frozen mosquito larvae or other aquatic invertebrates is also beneficial.