It’s understandable why guppies are a favorite among aquarium enthusiasts. These little, vibrant fish are ideal for novice anglers as well as seasoned enthusiasts. Their vivid colors and animated demeanor infuse any tank with excitement. Guppies provide a delightful experience whether you’re just starting out or looking to diversify your aquarium.
Guppies are perfect for a variety of aquatic setups because of their hardiness and ease of maintenance. They are a fantastic option if you’re still learning how to take care of an aquarium because they do well in a variety of water conditions. Furthermore, because of their adaptability, they can live happily in both big and small tanks.
Guppies have an amazing variety of colors and patterns, which is one of their most endearing features. Their hues, which range from brilliant reds to shimmering blues, can transform your aquarium into a living work of art. Guppies have captivating personalities in addition to their amazing appearance. They frequently engage in fascinating interactions with one another and their surroundings.
In conclusion, guppies are an excellent addition to any aquarium and more than just eye candy. They are an excellent option for anyone wishing to improve their aquatic environment because of their vivid colors, low maintenance requirements, and lively behavior.
Red guppies
All guppies with a solid red color, red blond guppy, red dragon guppy, red mosaic, red platinum, red-black, red tuxedo, red Moscow, flamingo guppy, scarlet, red snakeskin, etc., can be included in this group.
Crimson snakeskin guppy
Image of a red cobra guppy
Picture of a red dragon guppy
Amazing red guppy picture
Photo of a red-blond guppy
Image of flamingo guppy
Black guppies
Under catchy names like "black monk," "black prince," "black tuxedo," and "black moscow," this group of black guppies is comprised. The inability of this group to retain black tones selectively is the issue. Good black guppie specimens are therefore highly prized by aquarists.
Image of a black monk guppy
Picture of a black Moscow guppy
Picture of a black prince guppy
Image of a black tuxedo guppy
Monochromatic black guppy picture
Blue guppy
Blue tuxedo, blue Moscow, blue diamond, blue neon, blue cobra, blue turquis, blue mosaic, blue peacock, and even blue "to smithereens" prince are among the other group of guppies. (apologies for any potentially offensive humor).
Picture of a blue diamond guppy
Bluish-blue Moscow guppy picture
Picture of a blue grass guppy
Picture of a blue neon guppy
Picture of a blue Moscow guppy
Picture of the Blue Prince Guppy
Image of a blue tuxedo guppy
Image of a blue turquis guppy
Green guppy
Moscow guppy in green picture
Image of a green snake-skin guppy
Image of a green cobra guppy
Yellow guppy
Aquarium-bred albinos that are first yellow and then white are all xanthorists, or mutants of bleaching. Their breeders use genetic correction. Fish that have a yellow tint instead of a red or green one are known as xanthorists. Guppies in yellow – xanthorists. White and albino xanthorists are super freaks. These are all scientific terms free of hyperbole. A freak is a person who was born with congenital physical defects, sometimes as a result of a genetic defect or the influence of unfavorable circumstances during the embryonic stage. That’s all there is to it.
You also say, "GLO-fish, this is fu fu fu." Glo doesn’t cry, even though humanity has chopped up a lot of firewood.
Picture of yellow Berlin guppies
Picture of yellow cobra guppies
Picture of yellow tuxedo guppies
White guppies
Guppies image in albino
Moscow white guppy picture
Picture of a white platinum guppy
Cobra guppy
Lastly, we will discuss two more well-known variations of the common guppy, whose body pattern serves as a census. All guppies with "snake skin" are called cobra guppy.
Image of a blue cobra guppy
Image of a green cobra guppy
Image of a yellow cobra guppy
Image of a red cobra guppy
Image of a Ceylon cobra guppy
Aquarium enthusiasts should consider guppies because they have vibrant colors, lively personalities, and require little upkeep. They are among the most well-liked freshwater fish, making them ideal for both novice and seasoned hobbyists. Guppies are a flexible addition to any aquatic setup because they are simple to breed, adaptable to a variety of water conditions, and can flourish in community tanks. Their variety of fin shapes and color patterns also adds a splash of beauty and excitement to any aquarium.
Tuxedo tuxedo guppy
Picture of a tuxedo guppy
Picture of a tuxedo guppy
Picture of a tuxedo guppy
Picture of a tuxedo guppy
Guidelines for raising guppies
For three guppies, a 15-liter tank is more than sufficient. It’s important to take into account guppies’ excellent fertility when selecting an aquarium for them. It is recommended that there be two to three times as many females as males.
Guppies can be kept in a wide range of temperatures; the most important thing is to keep them stable: 20–26 C; gH up to 25; pH between 6.5 and 8.5. Severe variations in temperature and water quality (pH, gH) negatively impact the male fins’ condition. Water should therefore be replaced more frequently, but in smaller amounts.
Avoid strong currents as well. It is worthwhile to choose fine, dark-colored gravel as a substrate because it will accentuate the fish’s beauty and brilliance. The aquarium will appear more natural due to the presence of stones and snags. The best lighting is moderate. Aeration and filtration are essential in an aquarium housing guppies! The reputable FF online retailer Aqua Logo Shop sells the aforementioned aquarium supplies as well as other helpful items for aquarists. We advise against it!
It is worth mentioning that a sharp change in temperature and chemical composition of water, mainly pH, can be fatal for guppies, and keeping them in "old water" for a long time reduces their resistance to diseases. Therefore, do not forget to test the water with specialized drop tests. T.e. as for any other fish, a high concentration of poisons is unacceptable for guppies: ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Every conscientious aquarist should always have a set of drip tests on hand, at least for nitrate and phosphate. Fortunately, they have become inexpensive now, there are no problems with their assortment and acquisition. For example, we can recommend you with a clear conscience, tested on ourselves, cool drip tests UHE, but they are sold only online. In the stores of your city – offline, you can find inexpensive tests Vladox.
Using preparations that neutralize harmful substances during deep water changes with a clean water supply won’t be unnecessary. For example, Tetra AquaSafe eliminates heavy metals and chlorine compounds while also including B vitamins, iodine, and other beneficial ingredients for aquariums.
You can suggest plants such as Canadian elodea, Carolina cabomba, Riccia, peristolitnik, Indian fern, and Limnobium pobegonositnos.
Up to 300 male GUPPIs, or roughly 100–150 females, can be kept in a 100-liter aquarium with continuous aeration and filtration with regular water replacements.
Happiness between guppies
Suitable for any kind of peaceful fish. But it’s not a good idea to keep their "veil-slow moving majesty guppies" with gourami or barbs or other small fish. The latter will squeak them.
Experience has shown us that the following fish are compatible and get along well with guppies: acanthophthalmus, pristellas, corinopomas, cardinals, swordtails, mollies, neons, flashlights, corydoras (speckled catfish), rasboras, small tetras, and all of the danios.
We want to remind you that aquarium volume is just as important as fish compatibility when it comes to keeping your aquarium in good working order. Refrain from adding too many fish to the aquarium, especially because guppies breed like rabbits during the spring mating season. When choosing fish, it’s also a good idea to always consider the water’s characteristics to ensure everyone is comfortable.
Things to give guppies
Puppies eat everything. The fish are prone to obesity, so it’s important not to overfeed them. The age of the fish determines how frequently it should be fed; in general, small portions should be fed 1-2 times per day. Fry are fed tiny portions three to four times a day.
Guppies should be fed in an aquarium with proper balance and variety. Whether you are taking care of guppies or astronomus, this basic rule is essential to successful fish maintenance.
Tetra Guppy, a balanced meal made especially for the tiny mouths of guppies and other live-bearing fish, is what we advise using. A high concentration of minerals and plant-based ingredients supports the growth and well-being of guppies. The food’s composition contains carotenoids, which are unique color enhancers for fish.
It should be mentioned that when purchasing any dry food, you should be mindful of the manufacture and expiration dates, avoid purchasing food in large quantities, and store it in a closed environment to prevent the growth of harmful flora.
For all lovers of homemade food, we can recommend the mixture: "Modified Gordon formula". To prepare the mixture, you will need 454 g of beef liver, 454 g of dried brine shrimp, about 84 g of oatmeal, 2 tablespoons of table salt. Separate all the veins from the liver and chop finely, pour cold water and grind in a mixer for 3 – 4 minutes. Then add salt and mix. As a result, you should get a liquid mixture. Now add dried brine shrimp and mix until smooth and only then start adding oatmeal until you get a consistency similar to pudding. Place the resulting mixture in small jars and sterilize in boiling water for 45 minutes. The paste will thicken and lighten a little. Close the jars. The prepared mixture can be in the aquarium for up to 8 hours without disturbing the water parameters, after which the remains, if any, are removed from the aquarium.
Keep in mind that if you Don’t overfeed your guppies if you will be gone for an extended period of time. Adult guppi fish can endure fasting for up to one month.
Guppie reproduction and breeding
Fish with guppies are viviparous. In other words, instead of spawning, they give birth to mature fry. Because they run the risk of being eaten in the first few minutes of their lives, the fry require their own aquarium. Cannibalism is common among guppies, who also view their own young as ointment-filled dumplings.
For guppie breeding, you can use any container as a spawning tank, such as a three-liter jar, a small round aquarium, or a five-liter plastic basin. Of course, every container needs to be spotless.
The female’s pregnancy lasts for roughly five to six weeks. Your primary responsibility is to keep an eye on the female’s abdomen’s growth. Move the fish to a different aquarium right away if you notice that the female’s anus is slightly swollen, reddened, and has developed a dark spot! It is sometimes advised to transplant both the male and the female. This makes no sense at all to us—the male will only cause disruption since the female has already been fertilized. One interesting aspect of guppy reproduction is that, once fertilized, the female can reproduce multiple times without needing to fertilize again.
Join our You Tube channel to stay up to date on all of our content.
In order to breed guppies, you must set up an aquarium. Place some dense plants and a small amount of Riccia in a 5-liter container. Keep the hardness and acidity of the water the same as in a regular aquarium; the ideal temperature range is +26–27 C. Feed the female protein-rich food during this period. There are between twenty and one hundred fry born, depending on the age of the male and female. The female needs to be taken out at the moment she gives birth to the final fry.
The fry are born with a fragile egg shell that bursts open. Because it is warmer near the water’s surface, fry do not require parental care. Instead, they cling to flocks near this area. Infants should be fed infusoria at least four to five times a day as it is the best food for them. As they get bigger, they only need two daily feedings, and the food they eat—chopped bloodworms, Artemia nauplii, etc.—becomes more "adult."
Guppies require special attention when they are being bred. Although the fry don’t grow very quickly, this isn’t the issue. The fry do not grow uniformly, that much is true. Smaller and weaker people in this situation run the risk of starvation death because stronger and healthier people just won’t let the weaker people eat. As a result, you should divide the fry into different jars by sorting them according to size.
"Force majeure" circumstances can occasionally occur during childbirth, preventing the woman from giving birth. You must assist her in this situation by changing the spawning ground’s water to 50% warmer and raising the temperature to 29 C. The female guppy in this situation will undoubtedly give birth. 4-5 months is the age of fishery puberty.
Concerning the breeding of guppy
Guppy
The guppy has long been a fantastic specimen, offering breeders a plethora of opportunities. Fish with nearly perfect similarity in color, shape, and size can be obtained through modern selection. Furthermore, millions of guppies have been bred and distributed globally through a network of pet stores if the number of stable variations is in the tens. Guppies have long held the top spot in commercial ratings in Europe, the USA, and Japan, along with other well-known livebearers.
Male and female animals must be raised separately in separate aquariums during the laborious and routine process of creating new breeds. Along the way, it will become necessary to routinely remove specimens that exhibit defects in terms of shape, color, development, or other breeding features. Every fish is captured and assessed based on its adherence to all breeding parameters.
When guppies reach sexual maturity, the males and females start to get together, initially just in pairs and later in groups once the required traits are established. Because all subsequent litters produce smaller and weaker fish, which in turn require more work for their full-fledged cultivation, only the first three litters of fish are typically used.
The three primary indicators of water quality in this case are hardness, acidity, and purity. These factors are crucial in the successful selection of elite guppies.
Guppy illnesses
Despite the fact that guppies are hardy fish, they are susceptible to the same diseases as all tropical fish. The most common ones are sick mycobacteriosis (fish tuberculosis) – the fish looks exhausted, the abdomen is drawn in, the back is curved. Such fish are destroyed and the aquarium and equipment are disinfected; parasite infusoria trichodina modesta – weakened fish, especially fry, are more often susceptible; plistophorosis – a dangerous invasive disease; scoliosis – curvature of the spine; "fin rot" – promotes the decay of interradial tissue, scarf forms of guppies are more susceptible; red scab – appearance of a bright red coating on the end of the caudal fin, which gradually eats away the entire tail (males are more susceptible); split – longitudinal splitting of the fin (veil male guppies are more susceptible);
Recall that preventing an illness is preferable to treating it. As such, it’s imperative to give the fish everything they require and to restore their natural habitat to the greatest extent feasible.
1. Don’t mix up guppies by their types and breeds. Guppies come in just eight varieties:
These are Poecilia reticulata, the common guppy species.
– Poecilia wingei, Endler’s guppy (which has two natural morphs: red and green).
And five different kinds of Micropecilia, each having two color morphs.
There are over 60 selective (man-made) breeds of guppy. Additionally, there are no selective breeds in any other species.
2. To combat malaria, Poecilia reticulate was once imported into most third-world countries; these fish effectively eradicate the malaria-carrying Anopheles mosquito larvae and adult.
3. The International Guppy Breeding Council has created standards. This Council arranges numerous international competitions, updates the standards for judging guppies, and continuously provides all of its representatives with a variety of information regarding the outcomes of competitions, new directions in selection and genetics, and more, roughly six times a year.
4. Currently developed, guppie breeding follows a number of national and international standards. Global hubs for the mass, commercial breeding of guppies for export, Europe, America, and Asia host regular international exhibitions and championships.
5. In 1911, Leipzing and St. Petersburg hosted the world’s first guppy exhibitions, where anyone could participate and display ten males from their own breeding program.
6. The Moscow City Aquarium Club’s Guppy division was established in 1957 and has been held annually at the end of the first week of January in Moscow. Everyone was welcome to participate in the guppy exhibitions and competitions hosted by N. F. Zolotnitsky. Unfortunately, this activity was put on hold during the perestroika years.
These and a variety of other fish are always available at the physical supermarkets Aqua Logo and the internet retailer Aqua-Shop. Live goods are transported to the Moscow area and beyond.
Excellent video about guppies +
Click here to subscribe to our You Tube channel and never miss anything!
Category | Description |
Scientific Name | Poecilia reticulata |
Origin | South America |
Size | 1.5 to 2.5 inches |
Tank Size | At least 10 gallons |
Diet | Omnivorous – flakes, pellets, live or frozen food |
Water Temperature | 72-82°F (22-28°C) |
pH Level | 6.8 to 7.8 |
Behavior | Peaceful and social; good for community tanks |
Breeding |
A truly exceptional option for anyone new to the world of aquarium fish are guppies. They are a pleasure to watch because of their vivid colors, interesting patterns, and vivacious personalities. Guppies are an excellent choice for anyone, regardless of experience level, because of their ease of care and adaptability.
Guppies’ hardiness is one of the main benefits of owning them. They require less care than other species and can flourish in a variety of water conditions. This makes them perfect for people who want a fish that is less demanding or who may be new to keeping aquariums. Furthermore, because they are livebearers, you can have the thrilling experience of watching baby guppies develop in your tank.
Guppies are resilient, but they still require a good habitat in order to fully thrive, so keep that in mind. The keys to keeping them healthy are regular water changes, appropriate filtration, and a well-balanced diet. You can also improve their well-being and the aesthetic appeal of your aquarium by adding plants and hiding places.
In conclusion, guppies are an excellent option for bringing vibrancy and color to your aquarium. They are ideal for any aquarium enthusiast due to their lively nature and ease of maintenance. You can appreciate the beauty and charm these little fish bring to your aquatic world with the correct setup and minimal care.