Guppies: A Colourful Pet for Your Aquarium

Guppies are fun, curious and colorful freshwater fish that make wonderful aquarium pets. Native to Venezuela, Barbados, Trinidad, northern Brazil and Guyana, guppies are so popular as pets they can now be found most anywhere around the world.

These stunning creatures come in a wide array of colors that include brilliant blues, fiery reds and polished silver tones. Many guppies also have unique markings such as stripes and spots.

Also known by their scientific name Poecilia reticulate, guppies are an inexpensive and low-maintenance tropical fish.

Fairly simple to acquire, many pet stores and aquarium shops have guppies available for sale. These tiny fish are perfect for the person who is looking for a beautiful, inexpensive and easy-to-care-for pet.

Female guppies usually are larger in size, ranging from 1.6-2.4 inches long, while males tend to measure about 1.0-1.4 inches. Male guppies have vibrant colors and large fins while females are usually silver or gray in color. Guppies are live-bearing fish with an average gestation time of 28 days.

In the wild, guppies have a varied diet that consists of zooplankton, small insects and detritus. While dried guppy food found at pet supply stores is probably the most convenient choice for fish owners, a guppy’s omnivorous diet can also be supplemented with a mix of meat and algae-based foods like spirulina, bloodworms and lettuce.

Since small fishbowls do not provide a suitable living environment for guppies, they must be housed in an aquarium e.g the Juwel Vision 180, holding at least 10 gallons of water that can be kept within a temperature range of 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. If multiple guppies will be kept in a single tank, a good rule of thumb is one gallon of water for every inch of guppy, always keeping a minimum of 10 gallons of water.

Guppies are lovely yet hardy fish that will thrive if provided with regular care. To keep guppies in optimal health, owners should feed properly, clean the tank regularly, provide sufficient aquatic plants and light as well as a simple air stone. There are also a variety of treatments available when sick guppies are afflicted by fungal or bacterial infections. While knowledgeable fish keepers may be able to provide some advice on guppy care and whether to mix with Anabantoidei, Algae Eaters and Green Terrors, it’s best to check with marine biologists and aquaculture experts before making a final decision.