Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Sailfin Molly
Poecilia latipinna
Also called Molly voile, Breitflossenkärpfling
From Coastal fresh and brackish waters of south-eastern North America, from the Cape Fear drainage in North Carolina along the Gulf coast to Texas and on to Veracruz and the Yucatán in Mexico.123
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Scaled livebearer with sail-like dorsal fin
A deep-bodied livebearer with an upturned mouth suited to feeding at the surface. Mature males grow a tall, long dorsal fin that they raise like a sail, and carry a gonopodium; females have a normal-sized dorsal fin.231
Personality what they are like
Generally a peaceful community fish for hard water, though adult males can be pushy with each other, especially when courting.32
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A strong, active swimmer that needs plenty of open swimming room, especially as males grow their large fins.3
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Fairly easy to keep in hard, alkaline water. Feed plenty of plant-based food and keep the water clean and well filtered; salt is not required.3
Home where they are happiest
Aquarium from about 76 x 38 cm base (around 87 litres). Water 21-26 °C (wild range 20-28 °C), pH 7.0-8.5, hard water (15-35 dGH). Can live in fresh or brackish water.31
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Mainly herbivorous: algae and plant matter, plus small invertebrates. Offer vegetable flakes, blanched greens and some frozen or live foods.312
Company who they like around
Keep in a group with more females than males alongside other robust, hard-water fish such as other livebearers.3
The story where it all began
Charles Lesueur described the sailfin molly in 1821 from specimens taken near New Orleans. It has been a staple of the aquarium trade for many years, and breeders have developed black, white, albino and speckled forms, many mixed with other molly species.23
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It tolerates very salty water, with records of salinities up to 87 parts per thousand.2
- 2
Females can store sperm and keep producing broods after mating, with litters of about 10-140 young.2
- 3
Its upturned mouth lets it use the oxygen-rich layer right at the water surface.2
- 4
Males show off their tall dorsal fin when displaying to females and rivals.1
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern (assessed 2019)1
- Taxonomy
- Family Poeciliidae; described by Lesueur in 1821 as Mollienesia latipinna2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Sailfin Molly. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Water changeAbout 25% of the waterevery week
- Water testevery week
- Glass cleanevery week
- Filter rinseRinse in old tank water, never tap waterevery month
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FishBase: Poecilia latipinna fishbase.seused for origin, size, environment, diet, IUCN
- Wikipedia: Sailfin molly en.wikipedia.orgused for names, colours, history, facts
- Seriously Fish: Poecilia latipinna seriouslyfish.comused for tank size, water, diet, behaviour
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.