Sailfin Molly Poecilia latipinna - South Carolina Department of ...

Sailfin Molly 

Poecilia latipinna 

Contributors: Wayne Waltz and Billy McCord 

DESCRIPTION 

Taxonomy and Basic Description 

The sailfin molly, Poecilia latipinna, 

(Lesueur 1821) belongs to the family 

Poecilidae, the livebearers. Other 

members of this group include the 

Eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia 

holbrooki), the guppy (Poecilia 

http://sofia.usgs.gov 

reticulata), mollies (Poecilia spp.) and 

the platys and swordfishes (Xiphophorus spp.); the latter two groups are common in the 

aquarium trade. The sailfin molly readily interbreeds with the black molly, Poecilia sphenops, a 

common aquarium fish native to Mexico and Central America (Shipp 1986). 

The sailfin molly is a small species, seldom exceeding 12.5 cm (5 inches) in length (Robins and 

Ray 1986); however it can attain lengths of 15 cm (6 inches) (Rohde et al. 1994). The sailfin 

molly is sexually dimorphic; males have a longer, higher sail-like dorsal fin that lies close to the 

fish and that can be extended like a sail. Females have a smaller rounded dorsal fin (Boschung 

and Mayden 2004). Both sexes have a small head and are a light gray to olive along the sides 

and lighter on the belly. The body is laterally compressed with five rows of spots on the side that 

may appear as stripes (Page and Burr 1991). The caudal peduncle is deep in both sexes 

(Boschung and Mayden 2004). Breeding males turn more greenish and frequently have 

iridescent aqua and orange accents on the tail. Mature females are more heavy-bodied than are 

males, particularly those with distended belly containing developing young (Boschung and 

Mayden 2004). 

Mature males can also be distinguished by the presence of a gonopodium, a modification of the 

anal fin into a rod like copulatory organ that is used for internal fertilization (Page and Burr 

1991; Rohde et al. 1994; Boschung and Mayden 2004). Males use their enlarged, colorful dorsal 

fins in courtship display (Boschung and Mayden 2004). Females give birth to up to 141 young 

(Rohde et al. 1994), but usual brood size is 6 to 36 individuals; the number of young increases 

with the size of the mother (Boschung and Mayden 2004). Young receive no parental care and 

mollies grow and reach sexual maturity quickly, generally living for only one or two years 

(Rohde et al. 1994). Sailfin mollies grow faster in brackish water than in freshwater (Travis et 

al. 1989; Trexler and Travis 1990). In adult populations, females are usually much more 

abundant than are males, presumably because males are more vulnerable to predation (Snelson 

and Wetherington 1980). 

The sailfin molly is an omnivorous herbivore, feeding mainly on algae, although they will also 

consume small invertebrates, including mosquito larvae (Rohde et al. 1994). Like the Eastern 

mosquitofish, the sailfin molly has been noted as a possible control species for mosquito

populations (FLMNH 2005). The sailfin is at the lower end of the food web and serves as food 

for insects, fishes, reptiles, amphibians and mammals (FLMNH 2005). In open systems, the 

sailfin molly is consumed by many larger fishes; in closed pools, ditches, ponds and 

impoundments the sailfin molly provides food for wading birds. Sailfin mollies thrive best in 

organically enriched, isolated pools or ditches where there are few other fish species and where 

there is sufficient vegetation to provide cover from other predators (Minckley 1973; J.W. 

McCord, SCDNR, pers. obs.). 

Status 

According to Warren et al. (2000), the sailfin molly is stable throughout its range. However, 

almost no data exists on the abundance and distribution of this species in South Carolina. 

McGovern and Wenner (1990) report this species in low numbers in samples from 

impoundments where salinity ranged from 0 to 31.9 ppt (parts per thousand). It can be abundant 

in specialized habitats, such as brackish pools, ditches, impoundments and ponds. Because of its 

tolerance to low dissolved oxygen, the sailfin molly has the potential as an indicator species to 

show impacts from pollution as shown by acute toxicity to pesticides and other chemicals. The 

absence of this species from its preferred habitats should indicate a major concern for pollution 

at levels at which most other aquatic species would also be intolerant. It could also serve as a 

natural control mechanism for larval mosquitoes. 

POPULATION DISTRIBUTION AND SIZE 

In the wild, the sailfin molly is considered a temperate species ranging from Cape Fear, North 

Carolina in the Atlantic to Veracruz, Mexico in the Gulf of Mexico (Page and Burr 1991; Rohde 

et al. 1994). Non-indigenous populations are also present in the western United States and in 

other countries (Rohde et al. 1994). According to Rohde et al. (1994), the sailfin molly is 

restricted primarily to cordgrass (Spartina spp.) marshes in the Carolinas but occurs further 

inland in states like Florida, Louisiana and Texas. In Florida, it inhabits brackish habitats but 

also occurs in coastal freshwaters in calm, shallow, heavily vegetated ponds, sloughs, ditches and 

stream margins (Rohde et al. 1994). It is apparently distributed throughout the coastal zone of 

South Carolina in suitable, primarily brackish, habitats. It is apparently uncommon or absent 

inland of the coastal zone (Rohde et al. 1994). 

There are no estimates of size or trend of the population in South Carolina; only through directed 

surveys can such basic information be obtained. Since this is primarily a brackish species, 

individual population segments may occur along the coast. The extent of genetic isolation can 

only be determined by genetics studies. 

HABITAT AND NATURAL COMMUNITY REQUIREMENTS 

The sailfin molly is an extremely tolerant species, which appears to be extremely prolific and 

adaptable. It can live in fresh as well as saltwater and is tolerant of salinities as high as 87 ppt 

(Sublette et al. 1990) although it seems to prefer slightly brackish waters of less than 10 ppt 

(Boschung and Mayden 2004). This species is tolerant of poor water quality and can withstand 

very low dissolved oxygen levels by using its flattened head and superior mouth to draw oxygen

ich water from the surface film (Felly and Daniels 1992; Timmerman and Chapman 2004). The 

sailfin molly is mainly found in shallow coastal estuaries, streams, ponds and ditches, associated 

with heavy vegetation (Page and Burr 1991; Rohde et al. 1994; Boschung and Mayden 2004). In 

Charleston County, this species can be abundant in coastal impoundments, pools, ponds and 

ditches of low salinity that are isolated from, but adjacent to, open tidal systems, but that may 

receive occasional input of saltwater from large flood tides (J.W. McCord, SCDNR, pers. obs.). 

The sailfin molly frequently occurs with the Eastern mosquitofish in such habitats where these 

small fishes are provided protection by a general absence of larger, predatory fishes. The sailfin 

molly has been observed in single-species fish populations in isolated or seasonal brackish pools 

on hammock islands surrounded by high-salinity marshlands (J.W. McCord, SCDNR, pers. 

obs.). Like the Eastern mosquitofish, the sailfin molly disappears from seasonal pools during 

periods of drought, but frequently mysteriously decolonizes such habitats when water is 

available (J.W. McCord, SCDNR, pers. obs.). 

Isolated brackish wetlands are particularly important for this species and other small fishes such 

as the marsh killifish (Fondles confluents) and rainwater killifish (Luciana parka) and for 

reptiles, amphibians and wading birds; such habitats warrant protection. 

CHALLENGES 

Since isolated pools, ponds, impoundments and ditches adjacent to estuarine and brackish 

marshes are a preferred habitat for the sailfin molly, land development, particularly draining or 

filling of wetlands, can profoundly and negatively impact this species. 

Both point source and nonpoint source pollution, such as pesticides and other chemicals, could 

eliminate populations in isolated wetlands such as ponds, pools and ditches. 

CONSERVATION ACCOMPLISHMENTS 

There are currently no known conservation accomplishments for the sailfin molly. 

CONSERVATION RECOMMENDATIONS 

• Determine the distribution of the sailfin molly through surveys of brackish marshlands in 

the tidal portions of all of South Carolina’s river basins. 

• Determine genetic relationships in potentially isolated populations of sailfin mollies 

along the coast. 

• Conduct toxicity tests for likely pollutants in the coastal zone to determine tolerance by 

the sailfin molly. 

• Determine the value of this species as a biological control on mosquito larvae. 

• Develop a management plan for the sailfin molly once population and distribution 

information is obtained.

MEASURES OF SUCCESS 

Only after trends in populations along the coast are established can surveys yield information 

indicative of successful protection of this species. 

LITERATURE CITED 

Boschung, H.T., Jr. and R.L. Mayden. 2004. Fishes of Alabama. Smithsonian Books, 

Washington, D.C. 736 pp. 

Felley, J.D. and G.L. Daniels. 1992. Life history of the sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna) in two 

degraded waterways in southwestern Louisiana. Southwest. Nat. 37:16-21. 

Florida Museum of Natural History website at: 

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/SailfinMolly/SailfinMolly.html 

Accessed 6 June 2005. 

McGovern, J.C. and C.A. Wenner. 1990. Seasonal recruitment of larval and juvenile fishes into 

impoundments and non impounded marshes. Wetlands. 10(2):203-221. 

Minckley, W.L. 1973. Fishes of Arizona. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, 

Arizona. 293 pp. 

Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr. 1991. A field guide to the freshwater fishes of North America north 

of Mexico. The Peterson field guide series. Houghton Mifflin Company. Boston, 

Massachusetts. 432 pp. 

Robins, C.R. and G.C. Ray. 1986. A field guide to the Atlantic Coast fishes of North America. 

Houghton Mifflin Company. Boston, Massachusetts. 354 pp. 

Rohde, F.C., R.G. Arndt, D.G. Lindquist and J.F. Parnell. 1994. Freshwater fishes of the 

Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. Univ. North Carolina Press. Chapel Hill, 

North Carolina and London, England. 222 pp. 

Shipp, R.L. 1986. Dr. Bob Shipp’s guide to fishes of the Gulf of Mexico. 20 th Century Printing 

Co. Mobile, Alabama. 256 pp. 

Snelson, F.F., Jr. and J.D. Wetherington. 1980. Sex ratio in the sailfin molly, Poecilia latipinna. 

Evolution. 34:308-319. 

Sublette, J.E., M.D. Hatch and M. Sublette. 1990. The fishes of New Mexico. Univ. New 

Mexico Press. Albuquerque, New Mexico. 393 pp. 

Timmerman, C.M. and L.J. Chapman. 2004. Behavioral and physiological compensation for 

chronic hypoxia in the sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna). Physiol. Biochem. Zool. 

77(4):601-610.

Travis, J., J.A. Farr, M. McManus and J.C. Trexler. 1989. Environmental effects on adult 

growth patterns in the sailfin molly, Poecilia latipinna (Poecilidae). Environ. Biol. 

Fishes 26(2):119-128. 

Trexler, J.C. and J. Travis. 1990. Phenotypic plasticity in the sailfin molly, Poecilia latipinna 

(Pisces: Poecilidae): I. Field experiments. Evolution 44(1):143-156. 

Warren, M.L., Jr., B.M. Burr, S.T. Walsh, H.L. Bart, Jr., R.C. Cashner, D.A. Etnier, B.J. 

Freeman, B.R. Kuhajda, R.L. Mayden, H.W. Robison, S.T. Ross and W.C. Starnes. 

2000. Diversity, distribution, and conservation status of the native freshwater fishes of 

the southern United States. Fisheries. 25(10):7-31.

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