{"product_id":"silver-lyretail-molly-poecilia-latipinna","title":"Silver Lyretail Molly - Poecilia latipinna","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSilver Lyretail Molly (Poecilia latipinna)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Silver Lyretail Molly, Poecilia latipinna, is a bright captive-bred Sailfin Molly variety with a clean silver body, active livebearer behaviour and an elegant lyretail extension to the caudal fin. Males may also develop a taller sail-like dorsal fin, while females are usually larger and fuller-bodied. This attractive hard-water community fish is best kept in clean, mineral-rich aquariums with plenty of swimming space, plant cover and peaceful tank mates that enjoy similar alkaline conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSilver Lyretail Molly, Silver Sailfin Molly, Lyretail Molly, Sailfin Molly, Silver Molly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name (Latin):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePoecilia latipinna\u003cbr\u003eCaptive-bred silver lyretail form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaximum Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMales can reach around 12–15 cm, especially when well grown. Females are often around 10–12 cm and may be larger-bodied than males. Many aquarium specimens remain smaller, but they should still be planned for as active medium-sized livebearers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFreshwater; naturally tolerant of brackish conditions and can be kept in low-end brackish aquariums if acclimated gradually.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin \/ Natural Habitat:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe silver lyretail form is captive-bred and does not occur as a natural wild population. Wild Poecilia latipinna is native to North America, from the Cape Fear drainage in North Carolina through the Gulf Coast region to Veracruz, Mexico. It naturally occurs in still or gently flowing warm waters, including ponds, lakes, sloughs, vegetated backwaters, stream pools, tidal ditches and brackish canals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTemperature: 22–28°C\u003cbr\u003epH Range: 7.2–8.2\u003cbr\u003eHardness or Salinity: Moderately hard to hard freshwater preferred; avoid very soft, acidic water. Mollies do best with stable mineral content, a good KH and excellent water quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePeaceful but active. Silver Lyretail Mollies are generally good community fish with other hard-water species, though males may chase females and rival males. Keep either a male-only group in enough space or a mixed group with more females than males to reduce pressure on individual females.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOmnivorous with a strong algae and plant-matter requirement. Offer quality livebearer flakes, spirulina flakes, algae-based pellets, small granules, blanched spinach, courgette or peas, plus frozen daphnia, brineshrimp, cyclops and small bloodworm as occasional variety. Do not feed only rich meaty foods, as mollies benefit from regular vegetable content.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA minimum of 120 litres is recommended for a small group, with larger aquariums preferred for adult sailfin or lyretail forms. A longer aquarium with open swimming space is better than a small tall tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBehaviour \u0026amp; Activity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn active upper-to-midwater livebearer that spends much of its time swimming in open areas, browsing algae and plant surfaces, and displaying. Males may raise and spread the dorsal fin when courting or competing. Females give birth to free-swimming fry, and breeding can be frequent if both sexes are kept together. Dense plants and floating cover help fry survive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAquarium Category:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eCommunity Fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSuitable with peaceful hard-water community fish such as platies, swordtails, larger guppies, other mollies, rainbowfish, bristlenose plecos, snails and suitable hard-water tolerant Corydoras or catfish. Avoid soft-water specialists, aggressive cichlids, persistent fin-nippers, large predators and coldwater setups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Requirements or Care Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSilver Lyretail Mollies need hard, alkaline, well-filtered water and regular maintenance. They often struggle in very soft or acidic aquariums, where they may develop stress symptoms such as clamped fins, shimmying or poor condition. Salt is not always required in suitable hard freshwater, but low-end brackish conditions can be beneficial in some setups if all tank mates are compatible. Avoid overcrowding, sudden temperature drops and unstable water chemistry. The lyretail extensions can be damaged by nippy or rough tank mates, so choose companions carefully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBeginner to intermediate fishkeepers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCommon to occasional in trade \/ Captive-bred colour and fin form\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAll images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aqua Group","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":46401662845101,"sku":"AG-103675","price":2.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":46401662877869,"sku":"AG-103676","price":3.45,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large","offer_id":46401662910637,"sku":"AG-10367","price":3.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0543\/0391\/6205\/files\/DalmatianMolly-Poecilialatipinna_3.jpg?v=1782141833","url":"https:\/\/aquagroup.co.uk\/products\/silver-lyretail-molly-poecilia-latipinna","provider":"Aqua Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}