Mary Allen
The guppy – one of the most popular aquarium fish in a short portrait
The guppy is one of the most popular aquarium fish in the world because it is suitable for beginners as well as for advanced and professionals. Newcomers appreciate the ease of keeping and experienced aquarists are fascinated by the diversity and group behavior. So it’s worth taking a closer look at this fish. What qualities does he have? How is it held? What do you have to pay attention to when buying? You can find out more here.
The guppy is quite undemanding. But as always with ornamental fish, all living conditions should be perfectly adapted to its inhabitants.
| Scientific name: | Poecilia reticulata |
| Life expectancy: | up to 4 years |
| Size: | Males up to 4 cm, females up to 8 cm |
| pH value : | 5.5 to 8.5 |
| water hardness: | 5° to 25° dGH |
| Temperature: | 18-28°C |
| Behavior: | relatively peaceful but very active |
| Origin: | Middle and South America |
| Nutrition: | Dry and live food |
| Aquarium size: | from 60 cm |
| Furnishings: | many plants |
| Substrate: | no matter |
| swimming zone: | center |
Where does the name Guppy come from?
In 1866 the researcher Robert Guppy discovered the little fish in Trinidad. Although the species had already been discovered, the fish were named after him and the name was retained.
Where do guppies originally live?
The carp fish naturally live in northern South America and a few areas in the Caribbean. Swarms are also found in Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana. These were originally used to combat mosquitoes or simply poured into the sea from the aquarium.
Guppy populations can also be found in Germany. These were released, for example, as neozoa, for example to decimate mosquitoes. They live in running water and even in brackish or sewage water.
What do guppies look like?
The guppy is between 3 and 5 cm long. As a keeper, you can even easily identify male and female guppies. Females are significantly rounder and larger. They also have a pregnancy patch on their lower abdomen when fertilized. Depending on the color, however, this is difficult to see. However, as is usual in nature, females are colorless, mostly silver-colored or white. Intensive breeding now also colors the females. Male guppies have a long, large, and colorful fin. They are also much more colorful overall. Experts also differentiate between large and small fins.
Which aquarium do I need?
Water at room temperature is sufficient. However, a temperature between 24 and 27 degrees is better. Clear, neutral water with a gentle current provides ideal conditions. The minimum size for the pool is 54 liters. Good aquarium planting, water changes and also a good aquarium filter and regular aquarium cleaning are part of keeping it.
The offspring of the guppy
A guppy can live up to four years. Females give birth alive and are sexually mature at three months. The male has a functioning sperm production a little earlier. It is therefore common to buy females that are already pregnant, as the males’ sperm remain in the female and fertilize them when they become sexually mature. The amount and residence time of the seeds, the female can inseminate up to 11 times. A litter can produce between 20 and 40 pups every four weeks.
The young animals immediately live independently, but are food for the adult guppies. However, since the reproduction rate is so high, the species is not endangered. If you still want to be on the safe side, you can do without a breeding tank. Just get a hanging sieve, the parents can’t get to it.
It can be observed again and again that the males harass the females for mating. However, the females are only interested in those males who have also been chosen as mates by others. In behavioral biology, this is called the “mimicking effect”.
How to breed guppies
If males and females are kept, two aquariums are needed. For breeding there is another one that should be cleaned every few days.
The fish reproduce regularly and very strongly. So you should pay attention to a targeted breeding. Giving a single female to a male is not recommended as the female would be rushed. Three or four females are best for one male. 30 to 75 liters as an aquarium are ideal for this. It is important to reduce the suction of the pump or to cover it with pantyhose, for example, so that the young animals are not sucked in. The water temperature should be increased to 25-26 degrees.
When choosing the color you can make sure that the fish are similar. Then the coloring is passed on or even more intensively.
If the female is pregnant, this is indicated by a dot on the abdomen. This stain can be found in the rear area. Then the male can be put back into the actual water. The males and females also eat their offspring. So the aquarium should be equipped with plants at the bottom and in the middle field so that the young can hide. It is best to put the female back into the actual aquarium immediately after birth or separate her with a net. An impending birth can be recognized by the fact that the female moves less and seeks out warm places.
Nutrient-rich food is suitable for feeding, so that the fish are healthy and strong enough to reproduce and grow. The young animals are fed twice a day, but not too much, otherwise they can die from it. After eight weeks, the young animals can be brought together with the adult animals.
Guppies behavior
The guppy is very social and lives in flocks. The fish are diurnal and generally very robust. At night they hide in the plants available in the aquarium. They also give birth there. Guppies’ mating behavior creates a constant buzz in the water that people love to watch. If this is the case, the animals feel comfortable.
What do guppies eat?
The colorful ornamental fish usually stay at the water surface or in the middle area. There they hunt for small animals and insects.
When hand fed, they are not fussy. Four to five servings a week are sufficient as a rhythm. Since the mouths are quite small and they do not live on the ground, care should be taken when feeding that it is not too large and does not sink too quickly. The young can be given brine shrimp. They are small and nutritious. This in small portions and several times a day. Otherwise, all commercially available feed can be used. It should be high in protein and high in vegetables. It is also possible to feed live food such as mosquito larvae and earthworms. If you want to make your own feed, you can finely chop the beef heart and lettuce. Pressed food, tube worms or Daphina are not suitable.
The feed should not be stored for more than 30 days, otherwise it will lose nutrients. Alternatively, it will keep longer if frozen.
Which fish get along with the guppy?
To avoid overpopulation, only one sex of guppies should be kept. They get along with armored catfish, female fighting fish, danios, transverse banded pike, emperor tetra, shrimp, antennae catfish or dwarf gouramis. Otherwise, the guppies are relatively well tolerated, but since they are very active, they can quickly disturb quiet tank residents such as the armored catfish.
What will this cost me?
The aquarium with equipment and food is the first cost factor. In addition, there are increased water and electricity costs. A female retails for $2 to $5, a male $3 to $6. It is important that this money is also invested and bought from a breeder. Then the animals are usually robust and not susceptible to disease.
How long do guppies live?
Guppies live an average of 2 to 3 years. In the wild, guppies live an average of 2 years. However, in captivity guppies can live anywhere between 2-5 years. Although the average is typically 2-3 years in captivity, if properly cared for, guppies have been known to live up to 5 years.
What do guppies eat?
They will eat things like; lettuce, peas, and cucumbers, which will provide your fish with nutrients and variety. It’s important not to over feed your guppies as well. They have very small stomachs, so by over feeding you can potentially block their intestines causing them distress.
How many guppies in a 10 gallon tank?
The general rule of thumb is one gallon per one inch of fish. Therefore, in a 10-gallon fish tank, you can add 10 inches worth of guppies. More precisely, you can keep six males in an aquarium of this size. When it comes to females, you may keep four, but experienced people can push for three.
What is a guppy?
Guppy, (Poecilia reticulata or Lebistes reticulatus), colourful, live-bearing freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae, popular as a pet in home aquariums. The guppy is hardy, energetic, easily kept, and prolific.
Where to buy guppies?
Guppies usually sell for anywhere between $1 per fish to $100 per pair. The cost is usually dictated by rarity.
Best Place To Buy Guppies Online
- Amazon.com.
- Petco.
- LiveAquaria.com.
- Guppiesforsale.net.
- Aquabid.com.
- Aquariumfish.net.
- AZGardens.net.
- Petmart.com.
How big do guppies get?
Guppies grow to an average of 2 inches long, so the smallest tank size we recommend is a 5-gallon aquarium for a trio of guppies. But given how quickly they reproduce, a 10- or 20-gallon aquarium would be more appropriate in the long run.
Do guppies need a heater?
YES, you should be putting your guppies in a tank that contains a heater! And it’s not just because the water needs to stay between 74-82°F. It’s also because the temperature needs to stay consistent as well.
What will eat guppy fry?
There are several aquarium fish that feed on guppy fry. Some of them are Betta, Angelfish, Dwarf Pufferfish, Gouramis, and Swordtail Fish. A large Angelfish can even take down an adult Guppy.
What fish can live with guppies in a 10 gallon tank?
If you want to house your guppies with other fish, here are 15 fish that are compatible with guppies:
- Swordtails.
- Platies.
- Mollies.
- Cory Catfish.
- Honey Gouramis.
- Harlequin Rasboras.
- Cardinal Tetra.
- Bristlenose Pleco.
- Otocinclus Catfish
- Nerite Snails
- African Dwarf Frog
- Amano Shrimp
- Crystal Red Shrimp
- Red Cherry Shrimp
- Kuhli Loach
How do guppies breed?
Guppies are ovoviviparous, meaning they mate internally, as opposed to some fish who lay eggs and then the male fertilizes them. The male guppy’s anal fin develops into a gonopodium, their sexual organ, to transfer sperm into the female’s cloaca.
How long are guppies pregnant?
Guppies are highly prolific livebearers giving birth to between five and 30 fry, though under extreme circumstances, she may give birth to only one or two or over 100. The gestation period of a guppy is typically 21–30 days, but can vary considerably.
How to breed guppies
How many guppies in a 10 gallon?
Male guppies are always smaller than female ones. This means that you can accommodate 10 of them in a 10-gallon tank without an issue. But, a female guppy is 2 inches in size. If you plan to keep only females, you will need to limit their number to 5 per 10 gallons of water.
What is the rarest guppy?
The Swamp Guppy is by far the rarest Guppy breed by species classification. In fact, I’ve never once come across them in the hobby. They are a specialty fish because they are especially tiny (typically less than an inch in size) and have highly specific water requirements.
Where to buy guppies near me?
- AZGardens.net.
- Guppiesforsale.net.
- LiveAquaria.com.
- Amazon.com.
- Aquariumfish.net.
- Petmart.com.
- Petco.
- Aquabid.com.
Are guppies schooling fish?
Guppies are classified as schooling fish; they can often be seeing schooling, especially when observed through an aquarium. Guppies tend to school together when they feel threatened or gain a sense of impending doom.
How many guppies in a 5 gallon tank?
Minimum two and a maximum of five guppies can fit into a 5-gallon fish tank, but the latter is only recommended for experienced men and women. Now that you know how many guppies should be in a 5-gallon fish tank, you’re ready to start keeping these wonderful fish.
Do guppies lay eggs?
Since guppies give live birth instead of laying eggs, guppy fry (baby fish) are born more developed that most fish. Unlike egg layers, they start life as miniature adults. A guppy can start to reproduce at only 2 to 3 months of age.
How do guppies have babies?
In most species of fish, the male fertilizes the eggs after they are laid. However, guppy eggs are fertilized by the male while they are still inside the female’s body. The eggs develop into tiny miniatures of their parents that are born alive and ready to fend for themselves.
Where to buy guppy fish?
Guppies are found everywhere around the world except for Antarctica. Brazil, Jamaica, Antigua, Barbados, Venezuela, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are all places where wild guppies are found. They can live in freshwater as well as brackish water.
Can guppies and bettas live together?
I am often asked, ‘Can bettas and guppies live together? ‘ Well, yes, keeping guppies with a betta is possible. While guppies are generally very docile, bettas are somewhat feistier. After all, they are also known as “Siamese Fighting Fish!”
Do guppies give birth at night?
If you’re lucky you can watch the birth, but most of the time they are born at night.
How to tell if a guppy is pregnant
Guppies are viviparous fish. A pregnant female can be recognized by becoming very fat and by a black gravid patch just before the back ends. This spot gets darker and darker as pregnancy progresses.
At what age do guppies start breeding?
Most female Guppies first produce young ones between 10 to 20 weeks of age, while males can mate and breed at 7 weeks. After the first breeding, Guppies can reproduce after every 30 days and continue reproducing up to around 20 months of age, which closely coincides with Guppy average lifespan.
Do guppies need light at night?
Guppies need darkness to rest. Leaving the lights on all the time can result in dead fish. Guppies need at least 6-8 hours of sleep every day. That doesn’t mean you have to leave the lights on 16-18 hours a day.
Conclusion: The guppy for everyone
As an aquarium fish, the guppy is suitable for both beginners and real enthusiasts. If you observe a few criteria when keeping them, you will enjoy these colorful fish for a long time.