Facts on the Neon Blue Guppy

The Neon Blue Guppy is also called the "Millions Fish." It is one of the many varieties of the Poecilia reticulata guppy. Neon Blue Guppies are hardy breeders; they produce many babies several times a year. These guppies are tolerant of many water conditions, so they are easy to keep for beginning hobbyists.

  1. Identification

    • Neon Blue Guppies can range from 1 1/4 to 1 3/4 inches long. The males are smaller and have a wide, bright blue tail. The bright blue color extends up their body and gets lighter and more differentiated near the head. The anal fin is pointed on the male. The female of the species is bigger than the male, with a much narrower tail. The female's anal fin is rounded, and there is a pregnancy patch on the underside of her belly. The females also have very dull coloring.

    Habitat

    • A 20-gallon aquarium (at least) should be used when keeping guppies. Neon Blue Guppies thrive when they're swimming in schools of five or more fish. One recommendation is to have one guppy per gallon of water. Guppies do best in a community tank that has hardy plants such as Java Ferns and Java Mosses. These plants contribute to a healthy habitat for the guppies. Guppies are peaceful fish, so other peaceful fish, such as angelfish and mollies, make good tank mates.

    Feeding

    • Guppies are omnivores; they require food from both plants and animals. For this reason, they should be fed algae-based flake food, freeze-dried bloodworm, tubifex and brine shrimp.

      The fry, or baby guppies, should be fed brine shrimp, micro food and pulverized flakes.

    Breeding

    • Guppies are live-bearers and breed quite readily in just about any setting. It is best to choose the best young male and female for breeding purposes to lower the risk of deformities. The fry need a place to hide once they're born, so place a breeding box in the tank along with a thick layer of plants that float at the top. Adult guppies will eat their young if they're given the opportunity.

    Origins

    • The guppy was discovered in Trinidad in 1866 by Robert John Lechmere. Most guppy farms are located in Singapore. They originally come from South America and the West Indies.