Guppy Fish

Guppies are easy to care for and come in a wide range of brilliant colors. 

One of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish is the guppy. Guppies are noted for having colors and patterns that are very unique and beautiful. No two guppies are exactly alike. Guppies are fascinating to watch, and they are remarkably easy and enjoyable to care for.

Guppies are a species of fish related to the Pike. This publication provides the following information on the origination of the guppy. The guppy is a member of the Poedciliidae family. Wild guppies are found in Barbados, Trinidad, Guyana, and the northern part of Brazil. Wild guppies are also found in the United States, in the state of Florida. This small, freshwater fish usually lives in clear tropical waters, but they can also survive in brackish water.

Differences between male and female guppies. 

Female guppies are much larger than males, and they have dull colored bodies with brighter colors enhancing the tail. Male guppies are brilliantly colored, and the pattern and color possibilities are endless. "Guppies.com" says a guppie's beautiful hues develop from very tiny spots of color known as melanophores. The amount and location of the melanophores determines the varying patterns and colors of the guppy. In addition to color and size differences, "Guppy Care" says male guppies can be identified by longer tails and tail fins.

The International Fancy Guppy Association website article entitled "IFGA Guppy Tips" gives specific aquarium and water requirements for guppies. These recommendations are listed as follow. It suggests the use of a ten gallon aquarium or larger for guppies two months of age or older. For baby guppies, a five and one half gallon tank is sufficient. It is a good idea to have more than one tank so male and female guppies can be kept separate. Doing so will prevent poorer quality male guppies from breeding and reproducing, and separation will prevent unwanted babies.

Proper aquarium maintenance is important in keeping fish healthy and disease-free.Approximately twenty percent of the aquarium water should be siphoned out and replaced once a week. Siphoning water from the bottom of the tank is important since removing water from just the surface does not get rid of debris. Most pet stores sell siphons that vacuum out waste and leftover food from the aquarium bottom.

The recommended pH level of the aquarium water needs to be between 6.8 and 7.6. The most desirable range is between 7.0 and 7.2. Kits to test and adjust the pH level of the aquarium water are available in most pet stores. Taking time to check pH levels is an important part of maintaining a healthy tank for your guppies.

Baby brine shrimp are a high protein favorite of the guppy. These tiny eggs can be hatched at home and fed as a supplement to flake fish food. They should not be fed exclusively because they are mostly protein and do not contain other required nutrients. The same article says baby brine shrimp eggs are available in most aquarium supply stores.

Another popular guppy food  are white worms. These little worms are often found under stones and in decaying plant matter along the Atlantic coast. Various species of white worms are also commercially bred in refrigerated units that maintain a temperature between 45 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The same article recommends keeping white worms alive with a diet of cracker crumbs, bread crumbs, or powdered milk.

"Guppy Care" recommends providing guppies with several small feedings each day as opposed to one large feeding. This is especially important if there are baby guppies in the tank. Adult guppies that are not getting enough food may eat the babies. The article also mentions that feeding more often will ensure baby guppies are getting the proper nutrition for growth and development.

With regular aquarium cleaning and maintenance, guppies will remain healthy. They are a pleasure to own and add a lot of beauty to an aquarium. Breeding and caring for guppies is a great hobby that can be very rewarding. It is no wonder why guppies are one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish.