The beautiful Sailfin Molly has a truly unique appearance. Although males may be a bit showier than females, all Sailfin Mollies can make lovely and interesting pets.

Although Sailfin Mollies can do well in community environments with similar fish, they can also be kept alone. In fact, they may be best kept alone. When kept in groups, normally two females per male is a good ratio. Sailfin Mollies should be kept in open spaces with live plants for hiding places.

Sailfin Mollies have, as their name would suggest, fins that look like sails. The male's dorsal fin is large and normally lies close to the fish, though it can be extended like a sail. Female Sailfin Mollies have smaller, more rounded dorsal fins. The bodies of Sailfin Mollies are laterally compressed. The body shape is elongated, with males measuring about six inches, although females are longer. There are various varieties of Sailfin Molly available. Marble Sailfin Mollies have a silver base coloring, with black accents. This coloration is very complicated, with a variety of spots and splotches. Females tend to have less brilliant coloring than males do. The standard coloration has bluish-green sides, speckled with pale blue or silver. The undersides of the Sailfin Molly are also blue or green, though they may be orange. Orange or blue banding is also present among the dots on the sides of the Molly, and continues up to the caudal fin. Orange, black, or brown edges accent the dorsal and caudal fins and are often marked with pearly speckles.

Sailfin Mollies are also known as Mexican Sailfin Mollies. They are usually found in coastal waters in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.

Sailfin Mollies normally do best when kept in large aquariums and some are bred in outdoor ponds. Usually, Sailfin Mollies do well in temperatures between 75 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. A pH between 7.5 and 8.2 is preferred. A small amount of salinity in the water is often quite healthy for Sailfin Mollies. Usually one teaspoon for every two gallons of water is used. Sailfin Mollies usually do well when kept alone, though they can also do well in groups of similar fish. Many Sailfin Mollies can do well when maintained on flake or formulated food, though fresh vegetable matter like spinach, peas, zucchini, or boiled lettuce is also important. It is helpful to leave algae in the Sailfin Molly's aquarium, since this is an important part of their diets. Frozen plankton, daphnia, and vegetable diet can also be offered. Occasionally, live or frozen bloodworms, glass worms, or brine shrimp can be offered, in addition to live tubifex worms or frozen beef heart.

Male Sailfin Mollies can be distinguished from females by the presence of a gonopodium, or breeding organ. These are believed to develop out of the anal fin as the male matures. Sailfin Mollies are often best bred in large aquariums or ponds. Though it has been recommended that female Sailfin Mollies should give birth in a separate tank with plenty of vegetation if they are to be bred in aquariums. Some female Sailfin Mollies may show their pregnancy as a dark mass in their stomachs. They usually bear a large number of young. Sailfin Mollies may eat their young. The young fish usually accept fine flake food.