Sail carp "dalmatian" - Poecilia velifera

The Dalmatian Sailfish is a beautiful color variation of the otherwise rather green wild sailfish from Mexico. With its long extended dorsal fin and the great color gradient with the neat speckles it is a real feast for the eyes in the aquarium! The habitat of the Sailfish has a lot of current, it also lives in brackish water areas and even pure seawater. Therefore, it should also get a salt addition to the water in the aquarium. The Dalmatian Sailfish is easy to care for if you take some of its peculiarities into consideration and has been a popular aquarium fish for a long time.

You will receive our Dalmatian Sailfish mixed sexed.

The name of the Dalmatian Sail fish says it all: on a light blue to turquoise colored elongated body there are several black and white spots, which remind of a Dalmatian. The yellow head runs into the body color, the belly is lighter and also speckled. The flag-shaped dorsal fin is elongated and black-spotted, especially in males, partly also yellow-lined, also the caudal fin is turquoise and black-spotted. With just under 12-14 centimeters the males remain somewhat smaller than the females, which reach almost 18 centimeters and also form a more powerful stature. However, the sexes can also be distinguished by the male's pointed mating organ, which the females lack.

The Dalmatian Sailfish reproduces practically on its own when it feels comfortable. At spawning time, males may exhibit somewhat more aggressive social behavior and threaten other males that may interfere with their courtship. Keeping with more females than males is therefore recommended. After mating, the female carries up to 100 eggs in her abdomen for about a month and releases live young. Dalmatian sail carps are also viviparous toothcarps that reproduce ovoviviparously. Like many others, sail carps prey on their own young. Dense planting therefore serves as a retreat and protection from voracious mouths.

In an aquarium of 250 liters or more, the Gliding Darter will do well. As it knows it from its habitat, it needs some salt in the water; about 2.5 grams per liter. Since the animals grow quite large, it needs sufficient swimming space, which should be considered in the design of the aquarium. Decorations, but also roots and stones offer good possibilities to create visual protection, but also to build hiding places, where also badly driven females can retreat to take a breather. Dense plant stands at the edge and in the background serve as cover for all, but also for other by-fish or invertebrates. There should be a current in the aquarium, and good lighting is also advantageous. With water values with a total hardness between 15-30 °dGH, a pH-value between 7,5 and 8,5 and temperatures of 24-28 °C the sail carpets get along well.

The Dalmatian Sailfish is also a social fish, which should be kept in a group of at least 5 fish, otherwise it will become neglected. It can also be socialized with other color forms, which we carry among others in our store. Together they could mate and create new interesting color forms and patterns. It can also be socialized with other livebearers, which are able to cope with its water values. Among others Guppies and Mollies would be a good choice, but also the popular Amano shrimps. Dwarf crayfish or crayfish should not be in your aquarium, because they could be dangerous for the fish.

Dalamtine sailfish Aquarium fish are omnivores, which in nature feed mainly on growth, the accompanying fauna contained therein, but also on insect larvae. In the aquarium, however, feeding is quite uncomplicated, as it readily accepts almost any dry or flake food. Occasionally it can also be spoiled with soaked vegetables like spinach, peppers or algae leaves. Its diet can be super rounded off with live and forest foods. Here are suitable for example Tubifexwhite, black or red Mosquito larvaeas well as Daphnia, Grindalworms or Artemia.

Our food recommendation: The fragrant NatureHolic Guppyfeed  was tailor-made for the requirements of guppies and other viviparous fish in the aquarium. In addition to high-quality animal ingredients, it also contains vegetable components that benefit guppies & co. The soft granules protect the sensitive mouth of the viviparous from injuries caused by hard food grains and provide the fish with a natural feeding experience.

Our plant recommendation: For planting, use NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.