Sailfish "red" - Poecilia velifera - DNZ

From Mexico comes the rather green wild type of the sail carps. The red sailfish is a great red-orange breeding variant, which shines wonderfully in the aquarium. In their habitat they inhabit current-rich areas, which partly have brackish but also sea water, which is why they also need a small salt addition in the aquarium. They look back on a long tradition and have been popular aquarium fish for years, which can be kept and maintained very easily.

You will receive our Red Sailfish mixed-sex.

The Red Sailfin has an elongated and rather slender body, the males form the typical name-giving sailfin on the back with increasing age. Speckles and spots, as well as fine lines are on it, which can iridesce depending upon incidence of light. In size, the rather smaller males with about 15 centimeters differ significantly from the females, which can grow to 16-18 centimeters . They are also somewhat more bulky and have a more sail-shaped anal fin. Thus they can be distinguished optically well from each other.

The breeding of the great sail carps is uncomplicated. When they feel comfortable they automatically start courtship, whereby the males can become partly territorial and also aggressive towards their competitors. After mating, the female bears up to 100 young, which hatch from eggs in her abdomen and are released into the open water. Unfortunately, they represent a found food for the mouths of the remaining fish, which is why a targeted breeding in a separate aquarium makes sense, or the community tank has sufficient planting, so that the young can retreat there. At least an overpopulation is prevented thereby actively, because with it sail Darlings have in principle difficulties.

In aquariums with an edge length of 120 cm or more, the Red Sailfin are in good hands, because they need space to swim out. Similar to their habitats, some salt in the water is beneficial, with about 2.5 g per liter of water already being sufficient. Decorations such as roots and stones can be used to create optimal retreats, but also hiding places. Also a partly dense planting is useful, so that the animals can seek shelter here and especially strongly driven females, but also young animals and invertebrates can retreat here to catch their breath. Sailfish always need good hygiene. Therefore a sufficiently dimensioned filter should be connected, which also creates flow in the aquarium, as they know it from their habitat. Their water should be medium hard, or brackish water with these values: 15-30 °dGH, the pH between 7.5 and 8.5 and the temperatures of 24-28 °C.

Sail carps are social and sociable and should be kept at least with 5 animals in the group. It can also be socialized with other color forms, which you can find in our store. If these interbreed, more colorful color variations and patterns are created. But also other peaceful fish, such as the Guppy, which also copes with the water requirements of the Sailfish, can serve as co-inhabitants. The popular amano shrimp can also find a home in this aquarium. Crayfish, however, are not suitable as co-inhabitants.

In their habitat the omnivorous red sailfin guppy feeds mainly on insect larvae and growth. In the aquarium it can be fed with almost any commercial flake food, granulated food or dry food. It also likes to tug at soaked vegetables such as spinach, peppers or algae leaves. With live and forest foods his menu can be supplemented from time to time. 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.