Poecilia velifera

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Yucatan molly
Males sparring in the wild
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cyprinodontiformes
Family: Poeciliidae
Genus: Poecilia
Species:
P. velifera
Binomial name
Poecilia velifera
(Regan, 1914)
Synonyms[2]

Mollienesia velifera Regan, 1914

Poecilia velifera, known as the Yucatan molly and also as the giant sailfin molly amongst aquarists,

Yucatan peninsula. These live-bearer (Poeciliidae) fish
are particularly well known for both the extreme size variation among males, and the sexual dimorphism between males and females in both body shape and behavior.

It is outwardly similar to the

fin rays
, counting where the fin meets the back, whereas the sailfin molly has less than 15 (intermediate numbers may indicate hybrids).

If the males spread their dorsal fins in display, these have a distinct fan or

posterior
edge, is a bit larger than the height of the tail.

In the aquarium

Especially small strains are suitable for keeping in an

brackish[4]
water to thrive. They are able to withstand higher temperatures than most pet fish. Although they can survive over 30 °C for prolonged periods of time if other conditions are good, temperatures should be kept between 25 and 30 °C. Direct sunlight and an ample supply of plant food, such as lettuce, peas, or certain
subtropical areas, they can be kept outside in unheated tanks in the summer; in temperate zones, backup heating may be necessary.They are euryhaline
species. This strain of molly can also be kept in saltwater reef tanks, and provide clean-up duties for the tank. To transition a molly to saltwater, adjustment time is needed; increase the salt content to match the reef tank over a period of three hours.

They are bred like other mollies; in line with their general requirements, this is somewhat more difficult than in related species. It is especially hard to get males to grow their spectacular fins. Professional breeders often separate males and females in winter, so that they are eager to breed in spring. Young can then, climate permitting, grow in spacious outdoor basins during summer.

Like other Poecilia, they are prone to hybridization with their relatives. Not infrequently, crosses are attempted with the sailfin molly to breed a hardier fish. This is generally not very successful, and should not be attempted, as purebred Yucatan mollies are often quite hard to find, and hybrids will not have as massive dorsal fins as these. Several color variants are also available; these usually do not attain the large size of wild-type fish and may have been crossbred with P. latipinna.

Reminder

  1. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T191755A2002448.en
    . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2019). "Poecilia velifera" in FishBase. August 2019 version.
  3. ^ "Pvell".
  4. ^ 1
    liters with the higher amount being suitable for wild strains, the lower for color variants. Note that many popular freshwater fish - such as tetras and danionins
    - will become sick and may die in brackish water.

External links

Media related to Poecilia velifera at Wikimedia Commons

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