Sailfin Molly

[campion]

I have a sailfin molly and he doesnt show his sailfin that often.
He is black in color and the dorsal and tailfin edges have a nice tinge of yellow, and it looks stunning.

He is eating ok, and seems to be happy, but he doesnt extend the sail fin very often.
He has 4 female mollies in the tank to keep him company, plus other fish.
Any ideas?

 

[pnyklr3]

What does his tail look like? What I mean is, is his tail "shut tight" or opened normally?

 

[campion]

What does his tail look like? What I mean is, is his tail "shut tight" or opened normally?

The tail is normal, I will see if I can get a good pic of him to show you.

 

[The FISH made me do it!]

Aren't the sails like copetition against other males?? So maybe there is no one to intimidate?

 

[pnyklr3]

I only ask because if his tail were slamped too, that would be a sign of stress. I've never had a sailfin molly, so I'm not sure about the competion thing. My male apitso has a very large dorsal fin, and only flares it open for his ladies.

 

[shrimpster97]

my sail fin mollie will open its sail when ever it slows down when swimming. i dont see it pop up that often but when i do it looks really awsome! mine is a silver mollie, not as stunning as yours sounds tho, i kno what you are talking about with the black and yellow, i used to have a black sword tail with a yellow tail and it looked really really good. i can only image what yours looks like. awsome!

 

[fishdudein]

You don't mention how big the tank is or what the other fish in the tank are...that kind of info would be helpful. A sailfin molly with four females should be showing off all the time, one busy guy .
One thing that immediately came to mind is the issue of mollies and salt. Mollies really need to have some salt in their water, they are actually a brackish water fish. Although they do good for a while in straight fresh water, it eventually stresses them out, and that clamped dorsal sounds like a sign of stress.

 

[campion]

Thanks for the replies.

I add salt to the water every time I do a water change, so I dont think lack of salt is the problem.
I am seriously thinking that the molly I have is gay, and he dont like to show of for the ladies.
Maybe another male sailfin molly might get him showing his sail?
one thing I just thought of, could it be that he is a young fish?
I am just guessing...

The other residence in the 92L tank are guppies, moss barbs,tiger babrs, gold gourami,black neons. 23 fish in total.