{"product_id":"dalmatian-sailfin-molly-poecilia-latipinna-freshwater","title":"Dalmatian Sailfin Molly (Poecilia latipinna)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eDalmatian Sailfin Molly\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003ePoecilia latipinna\u003c\/em\u003e) is a white molly splashed with black speckles, built on the bigger sailfin body. Mature males raise a tall, wide dorsal fin like a sail when they display, and that sail is the reason to pick a sailfin over a regular molly. It is a peaceful, active livebearer and a good beginner fish, as long as it gets hard water and room to grow. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater fish and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSailfin or Lyretail?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth are mollies, but they are built differently. A sailfin is the larger fish, with the tall dorsal on mature males and a rounded tail. A lyretail has long points on the top and bottom of the tail instead. The sail is not fully grown at the size we sell: it develops as a male matures, and it grows best in warm, hard water with space to swim. Cramped or soft-water tanks are why some sailfins never put up a real sail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e starts in a 30 gallon, plan on 40 or more as it grows. Sailfins reach about 5 inches and need swimming length, so a long tank beats a tall one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 82°F, pH 7.5 to 8.5, and hard water. Hardness matters more than anything else with mollies: soft, acidic water is the most common reason they decline.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e omnivore with a real need for plant matter. Feed a quality flake plus spirulina or algae foods, and they will also graze soft algae in the tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e peaceful with other fish. Males chase females constantly, so if you keep males, give each one several females to spread out the attention.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAquascape:\u003c\/strong\u003e open swimming space with some plants or decor for cover. Mollies are messy eaters with a high bioload, so plan on good filtration and regular water changes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatch for:\u003c\/strong\u003e clamped fins and shimmying, a side to side wobble in place. It almost always means the water is too soft, too cold, or dirty.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eDalmatian Sailfin Molly, Dalmatian Molly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePoecilia latipinna\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCaptive bred color form; the wild species is native to the southeastern United States and Mexico\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eUp to about 5 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e30 gallons to start, 40 or more as it grows\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 82°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e7.5 to 8.5, hard water\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore, needs plant matter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e3 to 5 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFreshwater (tolerates brackish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSailfin mollies do well with other peaceful fish that like the same hard, alkaline water: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/red-wag-platy\"\u003eRed Wag Platies\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/calico-showa-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii-freshwater\"\u003eCalico Showa Swordtails\u003c\/a\u003e, other mollies, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bristlenose-pleco-ancistrus-freshwater\"\u003eBristlenose Plecos\u003c\/a\u003e for the bottom. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/racetrack-nerite-snail-vittina-sp-freshwater\"\u003eRacetrack Nerite Snails\u003c\/a\u003e are a good cleanup crew alongside them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSkip fin nippers like tiger barbs and serpae tetras, which go after the tall dorsal. Avoid soft water specialists such as many wild tetras and dwarf cichlids, since the water mollies need is not the water those fish need. Very small fish and shrimp fry can get eaten.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-community-crave-krill-spirulina-flakes\"\u003eXtreme Community Crave Krill\/Spirulina Flakes\u003c\/a\u003e as the daily staple flake\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-spirulina-flakes\"\u003eXtreme Spirulina Flakes\u003c\/a\u003e to keep plant matter in the diet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-mini-algae-wafers\"\u003eHikari Mini Algae Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/repashy-soilent-green-algae-gel-food\"\u003eRepashy Soilent Green\u003c\/a\u003e as a vegetable treat a few times a week\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-prime-complete-concentrated-water-conditioner\"\u003eSeachem Prime\u003c\/a\u003e for every water change\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-general-hardness-gh-test-kit-freshwater\"\u003eFritz GH Test Kit\u003c\/a\u003e to check your hardness, then \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-replenish-ro-di-gh-remineralizer\"\u003eSeachem Replenish\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-alkaline-buffer\"\u003eSeachem Alkaline Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e if your water runs soft\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy doesn't my sailfin have a big sail?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe sail grows as a male matures, and females never grow one. A young male can take months to raise a full sail, and he needs warm, hard water, good food and room to swim. Cramped tanks and soft water are the usual reasons it never shows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill the spots stay the same?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot exactly. Dalmatian speckling often shifts as the fish grows, with spots spreading, fading or darkening over time. Each fish is a little different, and the pattern you see at pickup is a starting point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo mollies need salt?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Mollies can live in brackish water, but they do not need salt in a freshwater tank. What they do need is hard, alkaline water. Test your GH and raise it if your tap water is soft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is my molly shimmying?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA side to side wobble in place is the classic molly stress sign. Check temperature, hardness, pH and ammonia, and do a water change. Fixing soft or dirty water usually clears it up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow big does a Dalmatian Sailfin Molly get?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUp to about 5 inches, bigger than most people expect from a molly. That is why we suggest starting in a 30 gallon and planning on 40 or more as it grows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51102786126043,"sku":"330132","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image-coming-soon-shopify_01559bb0-0b8c-4d75-895f-4ddae20ef840.png?v=1794440455","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/dalmatian-sailfin-molly-poecilia-latipinna-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}