Red Leopard Sailfin Molly

Red Leopard Sailfin Molly

Red Leopard Sailfin Molly (Poecilia latipinna) displays dark leopard-like spotting on a red to orange-red body — the spotting extends into the large sailfin. The Sailfin Molly is defined by the spectacular enlarged dorsal fin of males — one of the most impressive fin displays of any livebearer.

Feeding & Care Tip: Sera Vipan Tropical Flakes and Hikari Mini Algae Wafers make excellent daily staples — mollies are significant algae grazers and the algae wafers mirror an important part of their natural diet. Supplement 2–3× per week with Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp, Hikari Frozen Daphnia, or Hikari Vibra Bites. For fry, Sera Micron Fry Food is an ideal first food.

The defining feature of P. latipinna is the dramatically enlarged dorsal fin of males — when fully extended the sailfin stands tall above the body, fanning out with vivid coloration during courtship displays. The sailfin continues growing throughout the male's life and becomes most impressive in mature adults in excellent water conditions.

Keep in groups with two females for every male — this distributes male attention and significantly reduces stress on individual females. Compatible with most peaceful community fish. Mollies prefer hard, alkaline water and do less well in soft, acidic conditions. Mollies are enthusiastic algae grazers — one of the few aquarium fish that will readily consume blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), which most other fish ignore. This makes them genuinely useful as part of an aquarium maintenance team. Tank-raised mollies thrive in hard freshwater — aquarium salt is optional, not required for captive-bred stock.

Mollies are prolific livebearers — a female can produce 20–100 fry every 4–6 weeks. Females retain sperm, so a single mating results in multiple successive broods. Dense planting provides cover for fry. Sera Micron Fry Food is an excellent first food for newborn mollies.

Care & Ideal Parameters