Pikachu Sailfin Molly

Electric-yellow and barely a thumb long, it sails in

The Pikachu Sailfin Molly is a peaceful, colourful livebearer that thrives in hard, alkaline community aquariums. 2-3cm. Ideal for beginners. Shop now!

• Water Conditions: The Pikachu Sailfin Molly originates from coastal waters and inland springs of Central America, where it experiences hard, alkaline water with a steady temperature. In the home aquarium, aim for a pH between 7.5 and 8.5, a general hardness (GH) of 10–25 dGH, and a carbonate hardness (KH) of 8–20 dKH. Water temperature should be maintained between 24°C and 28°C (75–82°F). These fish are tolerant of a wide range of conditions, but they are sensitive to ammonia and nitrite, so a fully cycled, well-filtered tank is essential. Nitrate levels should be kept below 20 ppm through regular water changes. While they can live in freshwater, adding a small amount of marine or aquarium salt (about one teaspoon per 10 litres) can significantly improve their health, colour, and disease resistance. If you choose to add salt, do so gradually and ensure it is thoroughly dissolved. Avoid sudden fluctuations in pH or temperature, as this can stress the fish. A steady, gentle water flow is appreciated, but they are also fine in slower-moving areas. Acclimatise new arrivals using the drip method over 45–60 minutes to prevent shock.
• Suitable Tank Mates: Peaceful and community-friendly, the Pikachu Sailfin Molly gets along with a wide variety of non-aggressive fish. Ideal tank mates include other livebearers such as guppies, platies, and swordtails (though be aware they can interbreed), as well as small tetras like neons and cardinals, rasboras, cherry barbs, and peaceful bottom-dwellers such as Corydoras catfish and Otocinclus. Avoid fin-nipping species like tiger barbs, serpae tetras, and black widow tetras, which may harass the mollies' long, flowing dorsal fin. Also steer clear of aggressive cichlids, large predatory fish, and slow-moving long-finned species like bettas, as mollies may nip at their fins. While they are not aggressive, male mollies can be persistently amorous towards females, so keep them in groups with a ratio of one male to at least two or three females. This spreads any harassment and reduces stress. Invertebrates? They may eat small shrimp and snail eggs, so they are not ideal for a shrimp breeding setup, but they generally ignore larger nerite snails and adult Amano shrimp. Always quarantine new tank mates to prevent introducing disease.
• Feeding Habits: Pikachu Sailfin Mollies are omnivores with a strong need for plant matter. In the wild, they graze on algae, detritus, and small invertebrates. In captivity, offer a varied diet to maintain vibrant colours and robust health. A high-quality flake or micro-pellet food designed for livebearers should form the staple. Supplement with spirulina-based flakes, algae wafers, and blanched vegetables such as zucchini, cucumber, spinach, and romaine lettuce. These plant foods aid digestion and prevent constipation. They also relish live or frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms, which provide essential protein, especially for breeding females. Feed small amounts two to three times daily, only what they can consume in two minutes. Overfeeding leads to obesity and poor water quality. Because they are constant grazers, having live plants or algae-covered surfaces in the tank gives them natural foraging opportunities. Remove any uneaten vegetables after a few hours to avoid fouling the water. During acclimation, they may be shy at first; offer food after the first day and observe. A varied diet also enhances their resistance to disease.
• Care Requirements: Caring for the Pikachu Sailfin Molly is straightforward, but they do have specific needs. Because they are active swimmers and grow to a moderate size (sailfin mollies can reach 8–12 cm as adults, though the ones offered here are 2–3 cm juveniles), provide a tank of at least 60 litres for a small group, with a larger volume (100 litres+) preferable for the sailfin variety to accommodate their impressive dorsal fin. The aquarium should be well-established, with a gentle filter and a heater to maintain stable tropical temperatures. Decorate with live or artificial plants, rocks, and driftwood to create hiding spots and visual barriers. Floating plants are appreciated, especially if you plan to breed them, as they offer refuge for fry. A tight-fitting lid is recommended because mollies can jump when startled. Perform a 25% water change weekly, vacuuming the substrate to remove debris. Test water parameters regularly, particularly pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Mollies are prone to fin rot and ich if stressed by poor water quality or sudden temperature drops. Quarantine new fish for two weeks. Keep a ratio of one male to two or three females. If breeding occurs, females give birth to live young every 4–6 weeks. Provide plenty of cover for fry to survive. With proper care, they live 3–5 years.