Guppy Fish Species Profile

1. Guppy Fish Species Profile Guppies have been an integral part of the aquarium hobby for generations. Hailing from tropical pools in South America and the Caribbean, these fish are now available in a variety of colors, all of which are captive-bred. Many guppy fish keepers can start with just one or two fish, but as a life carrier with long-term sperm storage, you will soon have a full tank. Origins and Distribution The guppy has been kept in captivity for over 100 years but is native to South America. They are named after Robert John Lechmere Guppy, who originally identified these fish on the island of Trinidad. They are native to freshwater streams in northern South America including Suriname, Guyana, and Venezuela, as well as Caribbean islands including Barbados, Trinidad, and Tobago. They have now been introduced on every continent except Antarctica and can be found in many warm waterways around the world.

2. Colors There are countless color variations of guppies. Males are bolder in color than females and have a longer tail and dorsal fin. Depending on the variety, some guppies have short, rounded tails, some are "V" shaped, and others may have elongated tails that are half the length of their bodies. The tail fins may be striped or striped, or the fish may be monochromatic or bicolor. Whatever color combination you can dream up, there's probably a perfect beautiful guppy fish for you. Many websites and some pet stores offer "select" or "unique" varieties that cannot be found anywhere else. Often the result of severe inbreeding, these strains produce fish with compromised immune functions and reduced life expectancy. Try to stick to traditional varieties with well-established pedigrees. If you grow two different strains, you'll be surprised at how well the color variations blend together. Guppy Habitat and Care Guppies are great beginner fish. They are low maintenance and can tolerate a few novice mistakes. A large tank is recommended as guppies are very active fish. They thrive in a tank of plants and soft furnishings. To protect its population from the explosion, it is highly recommended that males and females be kept in separate tanks. The female guppies can store sperm for several spurs even after separating from the male. Tank dividers are fine as a temporary solution, but many of these plastic dividers usually aren't big enough to keep fish separate. Two separate tanks keep unwanted spawn at zero. Guppy Diet Guppies are omnivores and do well with a variety of commercially available foods. Although guppies are smaller, granular diets called micropellets are the best choice because they keep food longer than flakes. Feel free to add supplements such as frozen foods and vegetables, but no more than once or twice a week. A complete pelleted diet is best for most types of fish. Depending on the temperature of your aquarium and the other aquarium inhabitants, you can feed your fish once or twice a day. Always start with a small amount of food and add a little more when you're finished. Repeat for a few minutes and use this time to check all your fish. Mealtime is a good time to see if any of your fish are acting strange or ill. For more information visit our website Creature Companions.