The guppy is an extremely well known aquarium fish among the pet fish enthusiast because of its strength and splendid colors. It is a Actinopterygian ray-finned fish under the Poeciliidae family of order Cyprinodontiformes. The guppy fish (Poecilia reticulata) was first depicted by Wilhelm Carl Hartwig Peters in 1859. At present it is not assessed as threatened species in the Red Data book of IUCN.
Systematic Position
Distribution and Habitat
It is local to Brazil, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Jamaica, the Netherlands Antilles, Venezuela, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Presently it is discovered everywhere throughout the world. It occupies in weedy trench, waterways, lakes, little streams, lakes and springs where thickly vegetation are available.
Common Names
It is also referred to as Barbados millions; guppies; million fish; millions; millions fish; rainbow fish, mosquito fish etc
Quick guppy Fish Facts:
Body Shape and Colors
The body is extended with little terminal mouth. The body of the female is dim in shading however male guppy bears sprinkles, spots or stripes. The male guppy is smaller than the female of a similar age. The dorsal fin have 7-8 delicate fin rays while the anal fin bears 8-10 delicate rays. The male has decorative caudal and dorsal fins while the female is more dull in color.
Size and Lifespan
The female can grow up to 6 cm long while the male up to 3.5 cm long. They can live up to 5 years or more if appropriate care is taken carefully.
Food and Feeding Behavior
The guppy is an omnivorous fish and in wild condition it generally feeds on a variety of food, for example, benthic green algae, diatoms, aquatic insect and its hatchlings, other invertebrates, plant pieces, mineral particles and so on.
In captive condition it should be fedd with both meat and a vegetable eating regimen. It accepts vitamin improved flakes, frozen, freeze dried and live foods, for example, Bloodworms, Brine Shrimp, Mosquito hatchlings, White Worms, etc.
It additionally takes new vegetable base food including tomatoes, spinach, lettuce, etc. To keep your fish upbeat and sound, feed should be given 2-3 times daily with small amount to avoid food waste.
Housing and Care Facts
The Guppy is an exceptionally popular aquarium fish among both experienced and beginner’s fish keepers. It requires 10 gallons tank or bigger is prescribed. The tank should have great water quality with a pH of 7.0-8.0, hardness of 12-20 dGH and temperature that should be ranged from 75-79° F (24-26°C).
The tank should also have some aquatic plants like Vallisneria spiralis, Echinodorus amazonicus, Cabomba furcata with some free space for swimming. For ideal development, the guppy requires medium lighting to hold striking hues. The more lighting can affect the body of the guppy while dim lighting forms deformities in the spine.
To keep your tank condition spotless and sound 20-25% water ought to be changed weekly basis.
Tank-mates
The guppy is a community fish and it can be kept with other freshwater aquarium fish. Among them most appropriate tank-mates incorporate Peaceful Pleco’s, Platies, Mollies, Angelfish, Corydoras, Ram cichlids and so on. The guppy is a social fish and it should not be kept alone. It should not be housed with betta fish, Jack Dempsey cichlids, Texas cichlids and all Central/South American cichlids, Gouramis, Paradise fish, Acara’s, etc
Male and Female Sex Differences
It is easy to recognize the male and female guppy. The male is normally more vivid with extensive caudal fins. The female has bigger, thicker body with less shading and a littler caudal fin. The male guppy additionally bears tubular anal fin or gonopodium which is put quite recently behind the pelvic fin.
Male guppy achieves sexual development at 2 years old months whiles the female guppy at 3 years old months. The female guppy produce offspring up to 34 months of age.
Breeding Behavior
The guppy is productive livebearer and it can easily breed in captive condition if appropriate care is taken. The breeding tank should have great water chemistry with a pH of 7.0-8.0, hardness of 12-20 dGH and temperature of 72–79 °F (22.2–26.1 °C) for multiplication.
Breeding tank should also have some vegetation to make shelter for recently born babies. Male guppy achieves sexual development at 2 years old months whiles the female guppy at 3 years old months. The female guppy can deliver offspring up to 34 months of age.
The pregnant guppy bears extended and obscured gravid spots close to their anal vent. The mature pregnant female give birth to 2-200 children but it generally ranges from 30 -60 babies. The gestation period varies which range from 21-30 days. The newly born guppy should be fed with freshly hatched brine shrimp (Artemia), liquid or powder fry food.
Disease and Preventive Measures
Guppy is a very hardy fish but sometimes it is affected by Ich. It is also susceptible to fungal disease. To keep your fish disease free, proper tank management should be done. In this case, 20-25% water should be changed at weekly basis. Besides these, balanced diet should be provided and overcrowding must be avoided to minimize stress to the fish which lower the immune system against fish diseases.
Also Read: Goldfish Illness: Treatment And Prevention
Concluding Remarks
The guppy is the most popular and brilliant freshwater aquarium fish. It is extremely famous among the aquarium fans because of their toughness, splendid shading and simple to nurture. Today, it is available in the nearby pet fish store or online vendor with sensible costs. We prescribe you to keep this gorgeous fish to make your aquarium more attractive.