Sail carp "gold" - Poecilia velifera

The Golden Sailfish , which actually originates from Mexico, is a popular color form that is very eye-catching. Especially its large sail-shaped dorsal fin contributed to its name. The wild form of the Sailfish is green and lives in currents rich estuaries and habitats, which have brackish water, but also pure sea water, but it can also be kept well in fresh water with addition. Poecilia velifera therefore also needs some salt in the aquarium.

You will receive our Golden Sailfish mixed-sex.

With a final size of almost 18 centimeters the females become larger, but also rounder than the males, which reach in about only 13 centimeters. The males form the typical sail fin with increasing age, which has stripes, but also spots, as well as the tail fin. Occasionally iridescent turquoise dots are also found in it. The males have a gonopodium under the abdomen, the anal fin of the females is more sail-shaped, so the two can be easily distinguished.

In the aquarium, Golden Sailfish reproduce easily if they feel comfortable. It is advisable to keep a group of Sailfish rather with a surplus of females, as the males can become intraspecific aggressive towards other males during mating season. After mating, the female carries the eggs in her abdomen. She releases up to 100 live fry approximately every 4-6 weeks. Thus, the sail carp is also a live-bearing toothcarp. Sailcarps prey on their young, but other fellow fish also love to eat the little ones. This can help prevent mass population in the aquarium, as Sail Darters prefer plenty of space and become very vulnerable when stocked too densely. Dense weeding therefore offers them protection from the voracious mouths, but alternatively you can also raise the babies in a rearing aquarium. With our YoungFeed Baby food this is possible without any problems.

At least 120 cm edge length should be the aquarium for the pretty Sailfish, because the large animals need proper swimming space. In addition they prefer a light salt addition with 2,5 g per liter water, as well as a very good lighting and also current. Since they can become aggressive and territorial within the species especially during spawning time, you should offer the animals sufficient retreats and hiding places in the form of decorations, but also roots and occasionally dense plants in the background and in the marginal areas. The water values should be approximately a total hardness between 15-30 °dGH, a pH between 7.5 and 8.5 and temperatures of 24-28 °C.

The Golden Sailfish likes company and cares quickly if it is lonely. You should therefore maintain his group with at least 5 animals, conceivable are also other color forms of him, which we carry in the store. They will mate with each other, which can create new interesting color patterns and shapes. In the community aquarium the Sailfin can also be socialized well with other livebearers, which get along with its water values. Here offer themselves among other things Guppies and Mollies but also Amano shrimps. For company, however, crayfish are not suitable at all, since these can quite sensitively injure or even eat the fish.

The omnivorous sailfish feeds in its habitat mainly on mosquito larvae, but also on growth and microfauna. It can be easily fed in the aquarium with commercially available dry or flake food for omnivorous ornamental fish, supplemented now and then with soaked vegetables such as spinach, peppers or algae leaves. Live and forest foods perfectly round out its diet. Here are suitable for example Tubifex, white, black or red Mosquito larvae, as 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: Use for planting 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.