How to Cross-Breed Guppies

Guppies, belonging the family Poeciliidae, are a hardy fish in the aquarium. Because they are livebearers, they are also the easiest fish to breed. The eggs of livebearers are deposited inside the body of the female. They then give birth to small live fry which swim and fend for themselves. Different breeds of guppies are easily matched -- as long as the pair are both guppies, they will breed. Cross-breeding will yield different, hybridized specimens.

Things You'll Need

  • Male guppy, any breed
  • Female guppy, any breed
  • Breeding tank with ample plant cover
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Create a breeding tank. This tank must be separate from your community aquarium, because fish love to eat baby fry. The breeding tank can be small (one or two gallons) and simply adorned. Filtration isn't necessary. Add some plants or other materials that the fry can hide in to avoid their hungry parents.

    • 2

      Place the female guppy and male guppy in the breeding tank. It may take several days, but the pair should breed.

    • 3

      Watch the female over the coming weeks. If she starts ballooning up, she is pregnant. She will have a dark spot near her tail.

    • 4

      Remove the male and place him back in his home tank so he doesn't eat the offspring.

    • 5

      Watch for the tiny fry. As soon as you see any, remove the female.

    • 6

      Allow the fry to mature. They will eat small particles in the water and shouldn't require any food until they reach an adult size.

    • 7

      Move the guppies back in with mom and dad, once they are large enough to fend for themselves. You will notice that their colors are a combination of both parents.