Photo: Dnoerholm, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Yucatan molly
Poecilia velifera
15 cm
Adult size
130 L
Minimum volume
4
Minimum group
12 years
Lifespan
Water parameters
Understand these values- Genus
- Poecilia
- Diet
- omnivore
- Social life
- harem
In the wild
Overview
The Yucatan sailfin molly, whose males have a huge sail-like dorsal fin, has given rise to many varieties (albino, black, red), sometimes crossed with P. latipinna. The deformed “balloon” form should be avoided. It is listed as vulnerable in the wild.
- Scientific name
- Poecilia velifera (Regan, 1914)
- Classification
- Cyprinodontiformes › Poeciliidae
- IUCN Red List
- Vulnerable (VU)
Natural habitat
South-eastern Mexico: Yucatán Peninsula and lower Usumacinta; introduced to Colombia, Israel, Singapore and Taiwan
Observations (GBIF) and localities Native countries Rivers and lakes
It lives in the coastal waters of the Yucatán, fresh to brackish, where it feeds on invertebrates, detritus and plant matter.
Behaviour
Peaceful, it only lives with species that tolerate hard water: swordtails, platies (not other mollies, which hybridise), some gouramis, hardy Corydoras or Loricariidae, barbs and tetras, or in brackish water with Etroplus and gobies. An omnivore: it accepts anything, but needs some plant matter (spinach, cucumber, plant-based flakes).
Sources:FishBase Seriously Fish GBIF · Base map: Natural Earth