Species profile

Dalmatian Molly

Poecilia latipinna var. "Dalmation"

Common names: Dalmatian Molly, Sailfin Mollie, Sailfin Molly

Colour varietyLivebearers

Adult size

Up to 12.5 cm

Countries of origin

Good fit for your tank?

Good fit for

A tank of 110 L or more with hard, alkaline water above pH 7, where it stays healthy
Two or three females for each male, which spreads the male's constant attention
You enjoy a lively, hardy fish and can find homes for the fry

Think carefully if

Your tap water is soft or acidic, which leads to wasting and shimmying in mollies
You keep one male with one female: she is chased all day and can be worn out
You keep shrimp or nippy fish: it eats shrimplets and is bullied by fin nippers

A white or silver molly speckled with black, like a Dalmatian dog, and often with a sailfin. Keep a group of at least 3 in 110 litres or more.

Appearance and Identification

A white or silver molly speckled with black, like a Dalmatian dog, and often with a sailfin. It does best in hard, alkaline water.

Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.

Males have a gonopodium, which is a modified anal fin used for mating. Females are larger and rounder.

Tank Requirements

Suggested filter: About 440–550 litres an hour
Suggested heater: About 100–175 W for this tank
Minimum tank volume: 110 litres
Minimum tank length: 76 cm
Minimum group size: 3
Recommended group size: 6
Activity level: Active
Flow preference: Low to moderate
Planting preference: Heavily planted
Lid recommended: Yes
Jumping risk: Moderate

Provide dense plants or floating cover for fry and for females that want a rest from males, and keep the water hard and alkaline.

Behaviour and Tankmates

Active, hardy and always on the move, with males displaying to females.

Keep a group, with two or three females for every male.

Not territorial, although some males chase each other.

Suits a peaceful community that likes hard water. Avoid fin nippers. Adults may eat shrimplets. It is likely to eat shrimp.

Check tankmates for this species

Water Parameters

Temperature: 21–26 °C
pH: 7–8.5
GH: 15–35
Stability importance: Important

Fairly tolerant of different water, if it is clean and stable.

Parameter caveat

Keep up regular water changes, and acclimatise new fish slowly.

Feeding

Diet types: Herbivore, Omnivore
Feeding frequency: Daily
Preferred foods: Spirulina or algae wafersShould make up much of the diet.
Blanched vegetablesCourgette, cucumber and peas work well. Remove leftovers within a day.
Small frozen foodsAn occasional addition for protein.

An omnivore with a strong need for plant matter, and it spends much of the day grazing algae.

Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.

Breeding

Breeding type: Livebearer
Breeding difficulty: Easy
Parental care: None
Baby foods: Crushed flake or powdered fry foodFry can eat this from birth.
Newly hatched brine shrimpSpeeds up growth in the first weeks.

Gives birth to live young, with no special setup needed. Adults may eat fry, so provide dense plants or move a heavily pregnant female to a separate, planted tank.

Habitat and Origin

Geographic origin: Captive Bred, Central America, Mexico, North America, United States
Natural habitat: Ditch, Freshwater Stream, Pond, Swamp
Audience level: Beginner

Classification

Profile type: Colour variety
Genus: Poecilia
Family: Poeciliidae
Species group: Fish, Livebearers, Mollies

Have you kept this species?

You can write a note about what worked for you, or send a photograph. We check everything before it appears here.

Share a note or photo

Good fit for your tank?

Good fit for

Think carefully if

Appearance and Identification

Tank Requirements

Behaviour and Tankmates

Water Parameters

Feeding

Breeding

Habitat and Origin

Classification

Have you kept this species?

Other Mollies

Gold Tuxedo Lyretail Molly

Gold Tuxedo Molly

Golden Lyretail Molly

Silver Sailfin Molly

Guides for keeping this fish

Plan it with our tools