Sailing Parrot

Sailing Parrot
	Sailfish ( Poecilia velifera )
Systematics
Order :	Toothpies (Cyprinodontiformes)
Subordination :	Cyprinodontoidei
Family :	Viviparous toothcarps (Poeciliidae)
Subfamily :	Live-bearing toothcarps (Poeciliinae)
Genre :	Poecilia
Type :	Sailing Parrot
Scientific name
	Poecilia velifera
	Regan , 1914

The sailing carp, Yucatan Molly ( Poecilia velifera , Syn . : Mollienesia velifera ), is a lesser-known ornamental fish that is usually kept in freshwater aquariums, although in nature it actually lives in brackish water and salt water. Compared to other viviparous toothcarps, it is considered to be relatively sensitive, which is due to the fact that it should not actually be kept in pure fresh water. In brackish and salt water it is just as robust as its relatives. The name Segelkarpfling is derived from the high, sail-like dorsal fin.

distribution

Its natural range is formed by the estuaries and coasts of the Yucatán Peninsula , Mexico . There he lives in brackish to salty waters. In the meantime, the marigold is already at home as neozoa in some coastal regions in South Asia, as it was involuntarily released and has established itself here.

features

The males are about ten to 15 centimeters tall, the females up to 18 centimeters. The sailing little pup shows a pronounced sexual dimorphism . The males are smaller, slimmer and more colorful than the females. Sailfish are viviparous. They do not care for the brood and may even consider their young to be prey. Sailfish are often confused with the seldom commercially available species Poecilia petenensis, which, however, has a less pronounced dorsal fin and is somewhat more delicate. Poecilia latipinna (broad-finned larva) are also often falsely offered in the trade as a sail-winged larva, whose dorsal fin is somewhat more pronounced, but not comparable to the majestic sail of P. velifera or that of petenensis.

Aquaristics

In its natural habitat, it feeds on mosquito and mosquito larvae . The first import took place in 1913 by Kropac .

Breeding is sometimes more difficult than, for example, with guppies or black- and- white males . Nevertheless, many aquarists succeed in breeding regularly if the keeping conditions are adjusted accordingly. Bred males often develop a less characteristic dorsal fin when there is not enough space and when the water values are suboptimal. This reduces the likelihood that the courtship will be successful. Sailfish come in the colors black, black and white piebald, white to orange (albino with red eyes) and the greenish wild form. Sailfish have been sold less often in recent years because they hardly get old in fresh water and tend to weaken. They used to be very popular with aquarists. Today's cultivated forms in the trade mostly come from mass breeding in East Asia, where they are bred in ponds on salt water and then wither and become sick in fresh water.

Web links

Commons : Common Carp - Collection of images, videos and audio files