Goliad, Texas 77963
Fax 361.645.2258
Email goliadfish@goliadfarms.com
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Goliad Farms, INC. | 8497 FM 622 Goliad, Texas 77963 |
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361.645.2252 Fax 361.645.2258 Email goliadfish@goliadfarms.com |
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Contents
Fish
Mollies (Poecilia) |
Poecilia sp. 'Black Sailfin Molly' 
The Black Sailfin Molly, is an aquarium strain of hybrid mollies.
Parental species include Poecilia latipinna (click
here for information about this species), Poecilia sphenops and
possibly other molly species (click
here for information about mollies). The lack of a species name here
indicates that this fish is a hybrid of unknown origin within the genus Poecilia
and not a natural species. Our strain, which
we have had since 1999, has been out crossed to Poecilia latipinna
to improve dorsal fin confirmation and size and overall male body size. One of our
pairs of Black Sailfin Mollies took Best of Show at West Coast Weekend in 2002.
Size: Males reach 12.5cm (5 in.). Females grow somewhat larger and much heavier. Description: Both sexes have solid black bodies and fins. The male's dorsal fin is immense and often has an orange distal margin. The top photo is a mature male (about eight months of age) showing the large dorsal we select for. He also has an orange stripe on the top of edge of his dorsal, which does not show well in the photo. The bottom picture is a a mature female about five months old.
Geographic Range: This fish has no natural range since it is a hybrid among species that range from the Carolinas to Central America. Temperament: This fish is not aggressive (although males can be quarrelsome among themselves) and is active. It can be kept either in a large single species aquarium or in active community aquaria with rainbowfish, other livebearers or other fish with similar behavior and requirements. Feeding: Feeding is simple with the fish taking prepared foods as well as live and frozen foods. Periodic feedings of Daphnia or other live foods are helpful in color maintenance, general health and breeding. This species also requires vegetable material in its diet that can be supplied by feeding a commercial food or by providing algae, lettuce, cucumbers or fine leaved aquatic plants (Lemna, duckweed, is a good food). Spawning: This livebearer breeds like other members of its genus. At 30°C (85°F), broods are delivered about every 28 days. Broods can be as large as 200 fry for large females. Like other Poeciliidae, the females of this species can store sperm and have as many as 8 broods from a single mating. The fry are large and can eat commercial food, Daphnia, brine shrimp nauplii, etc. immediately. The adults tend to be fry eaters, so the fry should be removed from the adults as soon as possible. The male uses its immense dorsal fin during courtship. Additional
Information: For more information about this species, click on one of
the following article names: Additional Photos: None at present. Page last modified May 16, 2007. Copyright © 2007, Goliad Farms, Inc. |
Environment:
This fish tolerates pHs from 6.5 to 8.0 while preferring the higher end
(basic) of this range. Water hardness is not critical, but it prefers hard
water. Optimum temperature ranges from 20-30°C (68-85°F).