
One of the most popular tropical community ornamental fish regularly found in home aquariums today is the Guppy. This beautiful aquarium fish features bright colour’s and an attractive coloured tail.
Originating from South America, the Guppy was originally found in Mountain Streams as well as brackish rivers. Feral populations of Guppies can now be found around the world. In the wild Guppies are not very colourful and are usually olive green. Tank bred Guppies come in many varieties of colour’s and patterns.
Guppies are a very popular aquarium fish. They are perfectly at home in a peaceful community aquarium fish. They will generally inhabit the upper third level of an aquarium.
Being omnivores, Guppies will eat a wide variety of food. Guppies will accept and do well on flake along with live and frozen foods such as brine shrimp and bloodworms. Algae is an excellent food source and should be left to grow on certain ornaments or one side of the tank, so the fish can nibble on it between meals. It is a good source of vitamins B, C, D and E.
Male and female guppies are easy to distinguish. Males generally are a brightly coloured fish, while the females are a drab grey – perhaps with a coloured tail. Males have a modified anal fin, this is called the gonopodium. This is the male sexual organ. Males can grow up to 4-5cm while females can get to 6-7cm.
Guppies are live bearers and are extremely easy to breed. Some say they are as bad as rabbits.The females are almost always pregnant and will give birth every 4 to 6 weeks. Often the mother will have between 30-60 babies.
Because these fish are avid breeders, it is recommended that at least 3 females should be kept to each male, so the females aren’t continually harassed. Also for the same reason, a tank housing both male and ornamental fish female guppies would ideally contain plants so the females can hide from keen males.
If you wish to breed the Guppy it is recommended that a separate breeding tank be set up to separate the mother from the community tank, taking at least half of the existing community tank water. If the mother is not separated and is allowed to give birth in the community tank, more than likely the fry will not survive as the other fish (including the mother) will eat them.
Often birthing can be induced by raising the water temperature to 28C. After the birthing has finished, usually after 1 to 3 hours, the mother should be removed and returned to the community tank.
Raising the fry is reasonable simple. They should be feed on liquid fry food for the first three days. They can then be moved onto baby brine shrimp or fine crushed flake food. Water changes are needed regularly, even daily as the fragile fry are very susceptible to water pollution.
Aquarium Fish Guppies are an enjoyable addition to the tank and are very easy to look after – a perfect choice for the novice aquarist.