Guppy Facts

Guppies are common aquarium fish that originate from the freshwater streams and lakes of South and Central America. There are nearly 300 different species of guppies found in the wild. They eat mosquito larva, so they are considered to be very helpful in keeping levels of malaria low. Many enthusiasts choose to include guppies in their tanks because the fish breed prolifically and are extremely colorful.

  1. Appearance

    • There are several breeds of guppies on the market, and the type of breed you purchase determines the appearance. In general, male guppies are smaller than females, but their tails are longer and more colorful. The females are larger and have patterns on their tails. Most guppies in pet stores are bred in fish farms where breeding is not controlled. If you are looking for breeding or show guppies, then you should contact a guppy breeder. Guppies range from 1.5 inches to 3 inches long, and their lifespan is two to five years.

    Breeding

    • Guppies are renowned for their breeding capabilities. A female guppy can get pregnant when she is only three months old. After a one-month incubation period, she gives birth to 20-25 live baby guppies, which are called fry. The fry are independent and must be alert for danger in order to survive. A female guppy can also give birth multiple times after mating only once. This allows her to become pregnant again just a few hours after giving birth.

    Setting Up a Guppy Tank

    • Guppies have specific tank needs in order to live healthy lives. They can live with other nonaggressive fish, but they are also happy to be surrounded by their own kind. They do not fare well in acidic water, so the pH level should be at about 7.0. The water temperature should be between 72 and 82 degrees. If you are using tap water, remove the chlorine before adding it to the tank, and make sure the temperature of the new water is the same as the water in the tank. You may want an additional fish nursery as a safe place for pregnant females to give birth to their young.

    Guppy Care

    • Feed your guppies flake food a few times every day, making sure that no food is left in the tank when they are finished eating. If there is leftover food, you are feeding them too much. Guppies also enjoy baby brine shrimp, but a steady diet of these deprives guppies of necessary nutrients. Keep several dense plants in your aquarium to give small fry places to hide from adult guppies.