Overview

Colourful male guppies, selectively bred from a South American livebearer. Males usually reach 3–4cm in body length; colour and tail pattern vary between individuals.

Scientific name: Poecilia reticulata

Behaviour

Keep at least six males together, with plants breaking up lines of sight. Watch for persistent chasing and damaged tails. If females are added, keep at least two females per male and plan for a growing population.

Tank Size

Our recommended minimum is 60 litres with a 60 × 30cm base for a small male group. Use 80 litres or more for a mixed community. A tall narrow tank does not replace swimming length.

These are adult housing recommendations; choose more space when adding tank mates. Allow for space occupied by substrate and décor when comparing aquarium capacities.

Compatibility

Choose peaceful fish suited to moderately hard water, such as platies. Avoid fin-nipping barbs, large predators and male bettas, which may attack colourful tails.

Diet

Feed small tropical flakes or micro-pellets, including a vegetable-based food, with occasional daphnia or brine shrimp. Give small portions once or twice daily.

Care

• Temperature: 22–26°C
• pH: 7.0–8.0
• General hardness: 10–25 dGH

Use gentle to moderate filtration and leave open swimming space. Test hardness before adding them: very soft, acidic water is unsuitable. Check each fish gets food, especially individuals with large tails.

Add only to a fully cycled aquarium. Keep ammonia and nitrite at 0mg/l. Start with a 25–30% weekly water change using dechlorinated, temperature-matched water and adjust to test results and stocking. Rinse biological filter media in removed aquarium water rather than under the tap.

Live Animals Are Click and Collect Only. You can order online, choose click and collect, and we will hold your order for collection in store.