1. Ensure that you have a healthy pair of adult guppies, the male should be larger and have a colorful tail, while the female should be plump and have a less vibrant tail.
2. Prepare a breeding tank or a separate tank that is at least 10 gallons in size, providing ample swimming space. Make sure the water quality is suitable, with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5, a temperature of around 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C), and low levels of ammonia and nitrites.
3. Introduce the pair of guppies into the breeding tank, making sure the tank has plenty of live plants and hiding places for the female.
4. Observe the behavior of the guppies. The male will likely start courting the female by swimming around her, flaring his fins and displaying his colorful tail. The female may initially appear uninterested, but eventually, she may allow the male to approach her.
5. During the mating process, the male guppy will use his gonopodium, which is a modified anal fin, to deposit sperm into the female's reproductive opening. This is known as internal fertilization. The female can store this sperm for several weeks, allowing her to produce multiple batches of fertilized eggs.
6. After mating, the female will develop a gravid spot, which is a dark patch on her abdomen. This indicates that she is carrying fertilized eggs. The gestation period can last anywhere from 22 to 35 days, depending on the species of guppy.
7. Once the female guppy is ready to give birth, she will release small fry, which are baby guppies. These fry should be removed from the main tank and placed in a fry tank or a breeder box to prevent being eaten by the adult guppies.
It's important to note that guppies are livebearers, meaning that they give birth to live young rather than laying eggs. Mating and reproduction in guppies can occur quite easily and frequently in a suitable breeding environment.