Breeding a Fancy Male Guppy With a Common Female

Guppies are often seen in pet shops as two strains. The solid, brown or gold guppies are known as common guppies and they are typically sold as feeder fish. The more colorful, shiny guppies sold as pets are known as fancy guppies. The two strains are the same species and will breed just as readily as any other guppies. The offspring resulting from the reproduction of a fancy male guppy and a common female guppy will result in broods with a mixture of common and fancy colors.

Things You'll Need

  • 1 fancy male guppy
  • 3 common female guppies
  • 10-gallon tank
  • Filter
  • Gravel
  • Artificial plants
  • Decor
  • Adjustable aquarium heater
  • Breeding box
  • Nylon fish net
  • 5-gallon aquarium
  • 5-gallon filter
  • Fry tank, 10 gallons
  • Air pump
  • Airline tubing
  • Air stone
  • Fry food
  • Dechlorinator
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Instructions

  1. The Breeding Tank

    • 1

      Set up a standard 10-gallon tank for the guppies. This will serve as the breeding tank. It should have a filter, gravel, and various rocks and decor. Fill it with fresh water and use liquid dechlorinator to remove any harmful chemicals. The proper dosage will be on the packaging.

    • 2

      Install an adjustable aquarium heater. The heaters are typically long glass tubes that attach to the interior of the tank via suction cups. Adjust the temperature of the water so it is around 75 degrees F.

    • 3

      Introduce the guppies. Three female common guppies with one fancy male guppy will increase the chances of copulation and reproduction.

    • 4

      Observe the female common guppies for gravid swellings. Their bellies will swell and turn pink or orange when they are pregnant.

    • 5

      Place a breeding box in the tank and insert the female into the top portion. The breeding a box is a plastic box with a top and bottom portion separated by vents. The fry (baby guppies) will fall through the vents into the bottom portion of the box when the female gives birth, keeping them safe from cannibalism. The female will give birth within a few weeks.

    Recovery and Fry Care

    • 6

      Set up a 5-gallon recovery tank for the female while she is still in the breeding box. The tank should be bare with no gravel or decor and a single 5-gallon filter. Use dechlorinator to remove chemicals.

    • 7

      Set up a fry tank. The fry tank should be about 10 gallons and be bare with no decor or gravel. Use an air pump connected to an air stone via airline tubing to oxygenate the water. Do not use a filter, as the filter could suck up and kill the small fry.

    • 8

      Transfer the female into the recovery tank after she has given birth. Use the nylon fish net to move her. The recovery tank will allow her to rest while her body recovers from the stress of giving birth. She should be in the tank at least a week before being moved back. Feed her as normal.

    • 9

      Transfer the fry into the fry tank using the nylon net. This will allow them to grow without being eaten by the adult guppies. Feed them liquid fry food for two weeks until they are large enough to accept crushed flake food. They will reach maturity within three months.