P. Kykesis

[Melody]

This was one of my big scores on the last shopping trip but MAN are they hard to get a decent shot of - their scales are far too reflective.

Rare even in the US, P. Kykesis is thought to be the world's largest Molly, but that's not its claim to fame so much as the fact that it has a swordtail. A small sword develops in the males.

P. Kykesis is from Peten Lake, Nicaragua and this particular collection was made by Clemson University. The males reach 7", with the females being of equally impressive size, but they have a much more round body shape.

My males are probably around 3" at approximately 4 months of age. They still don't have their full colors and finnage and one is just nicely getting his sword. The body will go to a deep mauve silver with light green highlights. The tail is mainly turquoise and sky blue with red and it has a black outline that sets the sword and tail colors off beautifully. The dorsal has black spots setting off sky blue flecks and a red rim along the top.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-Kykesis-M-2.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-Kykesis-M-4.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-Kykesis-Male.jpg

Pair:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-Kykesis-Pair.jpg

Young male with a young Lyretail Sword:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-Kykesis-M-3.jpg

I have a couple of females about to drop so I'm pretty pumped about that :D .

[mixixe]

ooh their beautiful, especially those reflective tales :)

[Melody]

They're like little lights, very cool. They have smaller ones in the dorsal too. You really notice the highlights as they swim around the plants and the light hits them in various ways. It will be amazing to see them at 7+", big dorsals & flashy tails. They'll be the stars of the 90G once they get some size on them.

They have a typical Molly temperament - don't bother anyone and even when the males challenge each other, it doesn't amount to anything.:)

[mixixe]

wow a 7" molly is something to look out for! They are going to be so beautiful when they get to that size. How exciting!

[madattiver]

ohh.. i want some.. :D

[CACAdmin]

Wow! Absolutely gorgeous coloring. Amazing that they will grow to that size... they'll be the showpieces of your tank.:cool:

[Melody]

ohh.. i want some.. :D

Well that's good, my new livebearer/cory-loving friend, because I have my eye on more than a few of your fishies too. :yes:

Thanks for the comments everyone, I'm very proud of them.

[fishenthusiast]

I want some!

Have you learned yet that I have to have one (or two) of everything? I think they would look amazing in a tank with my other mollys. I just have to find somewhere to fit a tank that big.

Their colouring would complement the P. Latipinna don't you think?

[Melody]

You'd have an increased chance of inbreeding since they're both Sailfins and look much alike other than the Sword. They're actually a wild type of Green Sailfin for all intents and purposes, but a different species. P. Velifera is also referred to as a Green Sailfin Molly. The term is somewhat overused....lol.

They'd look good with Endler's I think - they share some coloration but the Endlers would add little splashes of color amongst otherwise silvery bodies. They'd add the color but due to their size they wouldn't outshine them. Lots of plants and you're laughing.

They seem to have a thing for duckweed - I have to keep adding it to their tank.