Guppy (Poecilia Reticulata)

Guppies inhabit northern South America and the islands of Barbados and Trinidad. As a result of artificial acclimatization, they spread across all continents.

The length of the male of the natural form is up to 3 cm, of the female up to 6 cm. In breeding forms, the male is up to 4.5 cm, the female is up to 8 cm. The body of the male is elongated, slender, somewhat flattened laterally. The female is also elongated, with the posterior part of the body more flattened laterally.

The male is naturally olive-gray with multicolored dots and spots, the female is gray with a greenish, olive or bluish tint. There are a large number of breeding forms that differ in color and shape of fins.

Peaceful fish, keeping in the upper layer of water, can jump out of it. It is possible to keep in a general, closed on top an aquarium, pedigree is better in a large group in a species.

Related article Guppy: lighting and temperature conditions

Water: 20-28 ° C, dH 3-30 °, pH 6.5-8.5, for thoroughbreds: 25-28 ° C, dH 8-15 °, pH 7-8.5. It is advisable to change the water weekly in small portions; when changing water in large portions, large fins split in males.

Food: live, vegetable (including algae), substitutes.

Pregnancy 4-6 weeks. A sign of approaching labor is an almost rectangular belly and a strong darkening of the so-called. Pregnancy spots at the anus. After one fertilization, the female can produce offspring several times. The female brings up to 180 fry.

Starter feed: ciliates, rotifers.

Sexual maturity at 3-5 months.

Albino Guppy

The presented species of guppies do not occur in nature. The absence of melanin pigment causes a light background in the coloration of albino guppies and their red eyes.

The conditions of keeping and breeding are common for guppies, however, these fish are more tender and prone to various diseases. It is better to keep them at a temperature of 24-26 ° C in slightly salted water (1-3 g of table salt per liter).

Related article Guppy: Feeding

Guppy Dalmatian - albino

Fertility, as a rule, does not exceed 40-50 fry. When working with albino guppies, it should also be taken into account that the bred line degenerates after 2-3 years. To preserve it, an additional crossing of a virgin albino female with a gray male of the original breed (or with an albino of another line) is usually carried out, followed by selection.