Classification of guppies

Guppies, with their vivid colors and energetic personalities, are among the most popular freshwater fish kept in aquariums. However, did you know that there are numerous varieties of guppies, each with distinctive qualities of its own? You can choose the best guppies for your tank and give them the best care by being aware of their classification.

The physical characteristics of guppies, such as their body size, fin shapes, and color patterns, are typically used to classify them. While some guppies exhibit complex patterns or metallic sheens, others have vivid, solid colors. Their fins can also differ in shape; some have big, flowing tails, while others have shorter, more compact fins.

Guppies can be categorized based on their origin in addition to their appearance. Because of the large range of strains with distinct features that have been produced by selective breeding, wild guppies frequently differ from those raised in captivity. Hobbyists can better identify the kinds of guppies they own and anticipate from them in terms of breeding and care by being aware of these classifications.

Category	Details
Scientific Name	Poecilia reticulata
Family	Poeciliidae
Color Varieties	Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Multicolored
Tail Types	Fan, Sword, Lyretail, Delta
Size	1.5 to 2.5 inches
Origin	Central and South America
Habitat	Freshwater rivers and streams

Types of guppies by color

Fish have three different colors that combine to form their overall color: the color of their "skin," their scales, and the coating that covers their scales. Although it is subjective, such a classification does exist.

Yellow

Breeds of guppies where yellow is the predominant color include:

• Yellow carpet. This is a product of selection. The body is silvery or bluish, the fins are yellow with black spots, similar to a carpet. Size – 3-4 cm.
• Golden. Miniature guppies – males reach 2-2.5 cm, and females – 3.5 cm in length. Females are monochromatic, golden or silvery. The male has small red spots, at the beginning of the tail – an emerald spot. The central part of the caudal fin is transparent, the edges red.
• German. The male is smaller than the female, brighter in color, has longer fins. The female is not as brightly colored, with short fins. The size of males is 3-4.5 cm, females – up to 6-8 cm.
• Yellowish blond. Has a bright yellow color with white spots.

Red

All guppies that are red belong to this group. Typically, they exhibit a range of patterns. Among them are:

• Royal. The variety is also called the Red Dragon. The guppy has a bright red body with darkening closer to the tail. Size – up to 4 cm. Some have red eyes.
• Red Moscow. A fish of red color with a veil tail. Large fins. Common among domestic aquarists. The male is up to 4 cm long, the female – up to 6 cm. Males are bright, their fins are luxurious, the pattern is beautiful. Females have short, not bright fins.
• Filigree. Silver-colored guppy. The tail has a bright pattern, similar to snake skin. The fish is not large, reaches a size of 1.5-4 cm.
• Red blond. The tail is bright, red. Head – white, shade body – whitish with golden dusting. Male length – no more than 3 cm, female – 6 cm.
• Red Carnation. Females are significantly larger than males, their body length is 5.5-6 cm, the abdomen is round. The color is gray, brownish or olive, near the anus – a large dark spot. The fins of females are mostly round and transparent.
  Male Red Carnation guppies are no more than 3 cm in length. They have a small body, at the back a pattern of spots of various shapes and colors, goes to the tail fin.

Orange

The scales’ color is like a mosaic. The fish’s primary color is orange, with a few other hues present. Orange filigree and orange carpet guppies are members of this group.

Carnation is another well-liked representative. The color scheme consists of orange, white, and black hues. The tail looks like a carnation with its edges ripped.

White

Pure white fish are hard to find in the wild because they are conspicuous and easily attacked by predators. Furthermore, white fish are frequently found in aquariums. Representatives of this group of guppies include the following:

• Mother-of-pearl white. Beautiful white fish with a mother-of-pearl hue. Sometimes with a dark head.
• Blonde. Fish with white scales and plumage. Dark eyes.
• Albino. Has the characteristic features of all albinos – red eyes, white color.

Black

Maintaining black tones during the selection process is challenging. Excellent dark guppie specimens are highly prized. Group representatives:

• Black prince. These are half-black guppies. The coloring starts from the middle of the body and reaches the tip of the tail. The front part of the body is white or silver.
• Panda. This type of guppy is very interesting. The body is light in front, and the eyes and fins are black. The fish looks like a panda (hence the name).
• Tuxedo. The body is light in front, the tail fin is black.

Green

The name designates multiple artificially bred breeds simultaneously, where the dominant coloration on the body or fins is green. The coloring of cobras, neon guppies, and Moscow (European type) is similar.

Blue and Blue

This is the name for breeds where the predominant color is blue. These could be guppies that are entirely blue or that just have blue in the pattern. One can add color to the fins or tail.

Blue is frequently paired with other hues.

The color spectrum of blue guppies spans from light blue to dark blue. The fins of females are highlighted in blue.

Leopard

Possess a striking hue that is reminiscent of a leopard’s hide. There are tiny black dots on a yellowish-black body. In females, spots are limited to the tail.

Leopard guppies have stunning colors. There’s no way this species will perish in an aquarium.

Neon

Colors that are vibrant and intensely colored. There are various kinds:

• Blue neon;
• Green neon;
• Red neon;
• Purple neon.

The fish’s body contains iridophor cells, which makes this variety unique. A unique pigment produced by the cells results in metallic or iridescent neon hues. The fish’s color blends a variety of patterns.

The abdomen and feathers are silvery, golden, and white, while the tail plumage is sky-blue. There is a silvery neon stripe on the back, and the color spectrum includes white, dark, greenish inclusions, and iridescence.

Sunset

A male’s length is 3 cm. Compared to females, they are smaller and have brighter colors. Longer and more vibrant fins are present. The body is slender and compact. In the rear, a pattern of spots in different hues and forms can be seen, continuing onto the caudal fin.

Males are considerably smaller than females. Their maximum body length is 8 cm, with an average length of 5.5–6 cm. The round abdomen is usually gray, brownish, or olive in color, with subtle variations. Something dark and large near the anus.

The Sunset guppy’s coloring is a combination of two hues: red and yellow.

Types of guppies by fin and tail type

This is the global classification system for guppies. With 13 types, this division debuted in the early 2000s. Diverse species of guppies have quite distinct fins.

Fan-tailed

The plumage at the tail is large and pointless. The form resembles an open fan or a triangle. The dorsal fin is erect and extends to a length of one-third of the tail.

Needle-tailed

This variety’s representatives have a round tail with a long, needle-like ray extending from the center. The dorsal fin is lengthy and prominently elevated.

Double sword

The fin is oval in shape and has extended edges. Ideally, the fin should be six times as long as the body or equal in length. Slender and situated on the back, the fin extends to the tip of the first segment of the tail.

Upper sword

The name is quite descriptive. The upper fin is sword-shaped and has a sharp shape. forms a 15-degree angle with the fish’s body axis. The oval caudal fin should be the same length as the body. The maximum length of the oval portion of the tail should be 4/10 of the body length.

The dorsal fin bears similarities to the caudal fin, but it rises sharply from the base, while the caudal fin’s sword is straight and sharp. In addition, it is straight, sharp, and narrow.

Lower sword

The caudal fin’s surface is rounded in shape. The lower rays emanate from it and resemble swords in form. The caudal fin measures between 6 and 9/10 of the total length of the body. With respect to the body’s axis, the "sword" creates a minimum 15° angle. The dorsal fin has a pointed tip and is narrow.

Flag-tailed

The fish’s "fan" is smooth and devoid of protrusions. The tail has a flag-like appearance. It appears to have rounded corners and a rectangle shape. The dorsal fin is conspicuously elevated upward, features narrow, pointed tips, and extends to the midpoint of the tail.

Shovel-tailed

The posterior fin has a square-like form with a small point in the middle. The fin’s top and bottom are parallel to one another. The size of the caudal fin is half the length of the body, and its height (width) is eight times its length.

At the base, the dorsal fin rises sharply. It is erect and ends sharply at the end of the caudal fin’s first third.

Veil-tailed

The characteristic that sets veil-tailed guppies apart is that the tail portion of their bodies resembles a fan or a skirt. The top and bottom of the tail are rounded, and the back is concave. The dorsal fin "stands up." It has a rounded end and is narrow.

Triangel

A guppie’s tail is triangular and has distinct edges. It appears to be an exposed fan. The dorsal fin is broad and rises sharply.

Lyre-tailed

The caudal fin resembles a lyre in shape. Both the upper and lower rays are slightly pointed and curved. The dorsal fin extends upward, ending at the caudal fin’s first third.

Forked

The bifurcated tail of fork-tailed guppies resembles a fork’s teeth. The rear fin is curved, with a sharp tip that extends to a third of the tail.

Lance-tailed

The back end of these The guppy’s size is astounding. It is nearly the same length as the body. The rear fin resembles a spear.

Round-tailed

The fish’s body has a slightly rounded tail. The tail is not very large. The fin’s length equals half of the fish’s overall size. The caudal fin is reached by the raised, rounded dorsal fin.

Fascinating fish with a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and colors are guppies. Hobbyists can better appreciate the variety and beauty these fish offer by being aware of their classification. Aquarists can choose which varieties of guppies to keep and breed by being aware of the differences between the different kinds based on color, tail shape, and pattern.

There’s a guppy for everyone, whether you’re drawn to the striking colors of Moscow guppies, the graceful tails of Delta varieties, or the distinctive patterns of snakeskins. Every classification demonstrates the variety of genetic options available to this species, which makes keeping guppys an endlessly fascinating and fulfilling pastime.

Examining these categories broadens our understanding of guppies and increases our respect for the natural world. We add to the continued diversity and beauty of guppies in aquariums all over the world by choosing and breeding various kinds.

One of the most common fish kept in freshwater aquariums, guppies can be categorized according to physical attributes like size, color, and fin shape. They are frequently divided into groups such as fancy guppies, wild-type guppies, and show guppies; each has distinctive qualities that appeal to various types of hobbyists. Aquarium enthusiasts can select the appropriate guppy species for their tanks and breeding programs by using this classification, which makes it easier for them to understand the variety among guppy species. Gaining knowledge of these categories can also help with guppy health, care, and ideal tank conditions.

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