{"product_id":"silver-lyretail-sailfin-molly-poecilia-latipinna","title":"Silver Lyretail Sailfin Molly | Poecilia latipinna","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Silver Lyretail Sailfin Molly is a graceful, mineral-loving livebearer combining the tall \"sail\" dorsal of the sailfin molly with an elegant lyre-shaped tail, all in bright shimmering silver. Peaceful, hardy and easy to breed, it reaches around 10–14 cm and brings a flowing, elegant movement to a hard-water community.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePoecilia latipinna is native to the coastal waters and inland streams of the south-eastern United States and north-eastern Mexico, where it thrives in hard, alkaline, mineral-rich fresh and brackish waters — marshes, ditches, estuaries and vegetated margins — grazing algae in the sunlit shallows.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA robust, elongated body carries a bright silver sheen, topped in males by the tall, spectacular sailfin dorsal that it flares in display. The lyretail form draws the upper and lower edges of the caudal fin into flowing points. Males are more ornate; females are larger and fuller-bodied, and their lyretail and sailfin traits are more subdued.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeaceful, sociable and active, best kept in groups with more females than males to spread male attention. It mixes well with other livebearers and peaceful community fish that share its need for hard, alkaline water. Males may display and spar among themselves, but serious aggression is rare.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn omnivore with a strong appetite for vegetable matter and algae. Offer a quality flake or granule with a good plant and spirulina content, plus blanched vegetables and occasional frozen foods such as brine shrimp and daphnia. Regular grazing on algae keeps it in fine condition.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 110 L, with 150–200 L or larger better for a group and for full sailfin development. Crucially, keep the water hard and alkaline — pH 7.5–8.5, GH high, around 15–30 — at 24–28 °C. Soft, acidic water quickly weakens mollies, often shown by shimmying and clamped fins; a little aquarium salt is optional but not required if the water is already hard. Strong filtration and good oxygenation are important. It is generally plant safe, favouring algae.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA prolific livebearer. Females give birth to broods of free-swimming fry every four to six weeks and can store sperm for successive broods. Provide dense planting or floating cover so fry can hide, as adults will predate them. No special effort is needed — a mixed-sex group in good conditions will breed readily.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePoecilia latipinna\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSailfin Molly, Silver Lyretail Sailfin Molly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouth-eastern USA and north-eastern Mexico\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 10–14 cm (females largest)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (community)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e110 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150–200 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore: algae, vegetable flake\/granules, blanched vegetables, frozen foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.5–8.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard, around 15–30 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater; tolerates slightly brackish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard-water community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other mollies, platies, swordtails, guppies, and other peaceful fish that appreciate hard, alkaline water, such as certain rainbowfish and larger, gentle tetras.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with fin-nipping species that will damage the flowing fins, aggressive or predatory fish, and soft-water species whose water requirements conflict with the molly's need for hard, alkaline conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232794231075,"sku":"BA9189-S","price":9.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232794263843,"sku":"BA9189","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232794296611,"sku":"BA9189-L","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/silver-lyretail-sailfin-moll-43883622564131.webp?v=1790305825","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/silver-lyretail-sailfin-molly-poecilia-latipinna","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}