Guppy variety: photos and names

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Fans of observing the underwater kingdom believe that the most popular aquarium fish are guppies. These babies are a subspecies of the Pecilia family, numbering more than one hundred and seventy of the most diverse species of viviparous freshwater fish.

There are varieties of guppies (we will present the photo and name in this article) that can adapt to life in moderately s alty water.

Spread in nature

This breed of fish was brought to Europe from the island of Trinidad, where they live in fresh clear water and feed on live food (mosquito pegs, larvae, moths, mosquitoes, small insects). Under natural conditions, guppies are much smaller than aquarium ones. Species of guppy fish are found in the north of the Amazon, in Venezuela and Brazil, South America on the islands of Barbados, Trinidad.

They are unpretentious and can live in different conditions. For this reason, they can sometimes be found in small cool ponds. Surprisingly, the wild population also lives in the Moscow River in the Lyubertsy region, and these exotic fish are not even afraid of severe Russian frosts.

Gender differences

All varieties of guppies (you can see the photo in this article) have some common characteristics. First of all, this concerns gender differences. A viviparous female does not lay eggs, like the vast majority of fish, but gives birth to live fry. She is noticeably larger than the male - the length of her body ranges from 3 to 7 centimeters. It can be distinguished from the male by its color, which is not so saturated and bright, and if the female is expecting offspring, then her abdomen is enlarged. Individuals living in natural conditions have colorless caudal fins and grayish scales, aquarium inhabitants, breeding species, have a brighter color.

Males do not exceed four centimeters in length. They are distinguished by a movable copulatory feather, which is called the gonopodia. It can be with or without a claw. This is the reproductive organ. Thoroughbred males have large, beautiful and long plumage. It makes a small body seem much larger.

Types of guppies

Guppy varieties, photos and names of which can be found in almost every aquarium guide, amaze with their diversity. In this article, we will introduce you the most popular ones.

Poecilia reticulata

This is the most common aquarium species belonging to the family of Pecilian fish. Individuals of small size, whose life expectancy in the aquarium is three years. This species was bred by crossing wild specimens.

Micropecilium

Fish from the Pecilian family has a beautiful multi-colored color. She has morepointed mouth, and some representatives of the species have stripes on the sides and a round spot near the tail. Males grow up to four centimeters, females - up to five. These fish love lightly s alted water and prefer to live in a separate aquarium. Owners need to be aware that this species cannot be crossed with normal guppies.

Guppy Endler

This close relative of the common guppy was first described in 1937 by Franklin F. Bond, who discovered it in Laguna de Patos (Venezuela), but then the fish did not become popular. Moreover, until 1975 it was considered extinct. To date, there are a huge number of subspecies of this fish. Varieties of guppy aquarium Endler we will present to you below.

Females of this species are usually golden or silver in color, while males have a bright coloration throughout the body. Endler's guppies are much smaller than their counterparts, their size does not exceed four centimeters. Such a fish lives no more than a year and a half.

Types of tails and fins

Today, varieties of guppies in aquarium fish can be divided into two categories: by color and by type of fins and tails. The tail plumage can have different lengths and shapes. It is the longest in needle-tailed individuals - it is equal to the length of the body. The dorsal fins of all species without exception are raised at the base. According to the type of tails, the fish are divided into:

• spine-tailed - with rounded tips;
• flagtail - reminiscent of a raised flag;
• veil-tailed (or skirt) - plumage resembles a veil;
• speartail - looks like a pointed spear;
• lyretail - has the shape of a lyre;
• double sword - lower and upper feathers look like a pointed sword;
• upper sword - the tail upper rays are pointed and shaped like a sword;
• triangel - a triangular tail that resembles an incompletely opened fan;
• fantail - resembles an open fan with a rounded tip.

Guppy: varieties by color, photo

All existing types of guppies are selective, artificially bred varieties of ordinary fish. By color, the most common are blue with red, yellow tails, as well as red fireworks, German red blond, Berlin gold, tomato and others.

Yellow German Guppies

The fish have a distinct yellow color: from light yellow to bright lemon. The breed, bred by German breeders, has a delicate golden hue, the scales shimmer in different colors - from rich ultramarine to light blue, the head of the fish is white.

Moscow Blue Guppies

They have a characteristic rich and brilliant blue color, ranging from pale blue to the color of a dark night sky. Breeding categories have lush plumage, and body size reaches 4 and 5 centimeters.

Moscow blue-greens

They are blue-green in color with black, blue, golden and white patches. The head is silvery, light.

Red Blonde

The fish got its unusual name because of its bright red color,which predominates in the color of the tail. The head is white and the body is whitish with a golden coating.

Carpet carnation

This fish's tail resembles the ragged edges of a flower. It is dyed orange-red or orange with dark patches, reminiscent of the complex pattern of a carpet.

Venezuela Japanese

Dwarf variety of guppy with colorful coloration. Has multi-colored red, black, green, golden, blue spots and stripes.

Black Prince

This spectacular fish was bred in Moscow. Individuals are distinguished by the black color of the caudal fin. Head with whitish silver and gold tones. The fins can also be gold, silver, purple and blue.

Red Dragon

A completely scarlet variety of guppy. Her body can reach (and even exceed) four centimeters. Elite representatives of this species even have red eyes. There are individuals with white, dark and golden patches.

Tiger King

The fish has a richly colored tail in orange and yellow tones, reminiscent of the skin of a tiger. It is fan type.

Green cobra

One of the most popular breeding forms in our country. This type of guppy has a greenish-golden color with a silvery sheen on its body, which is very reminiscent of the scales of a cobra. The tail is in yellow-green tones with brown stripes and spots, which also suggest an association with a snake.

Guppy Berliners

Mostly painted in various shades of blue: from blue to deep purple. The head and tail feathers are white. Dorsal fins - fiery orange.

Guppy mix

This variety of aquarium guppy was obtained by crossing various elite fish. It has a clear and deep color of luxury categories.

Neon guppies

This look is distinguished by a silver neon stripe on the back. The tail is painted sky blue, the belly and feathers are golden and white. Dark, white, greenish inclusions and overflows are clearly distinguishable.

Guppy Sunset

The bodies of these fish, no more than four centimeters long, are painted in a neon silver hue, the fins are usually lemon yellow, and the tail feathers have a red edging, reminiscent of a flickering candle flame.

Guppy Endler: varieties

And now, as promised, we will tell you about the varieties of the smallest guppies - Endler. Among them there are the most interesting specimens.

Blue Star

Representatives of the species are distinguished by a blue back and bright orange wings of gills. In all individuals, regardless of gender, the tail has a fan shape, in males the lower rays are painted in dark colors. They are transformed into a small xiphoid process.

Blue Serpent

This species gets its name from the intricate snakeskin pattern that runs along the sides of the body. The caudal fin is painted blue, and the upper part of the tail is framedwhite stripe.

Campona El Tigre

A subspecies of the Endler guppy living in the El Tigre tributary in Venezuela. Currently, there is no reliable information that this fish has been preserved in natural conditions, but it is quite common in amateur aquariums. This species does not have blue tones in its color. The dominant color is light green.

Kampona 3

On the body of this fish there are all the colors inherent in the Endler guppies, but the males have signs that are characteristic only for this subspecies. This is a black xiphoid process on the upper rays of the tail, and on the side there is a dark vertical stroke.

Kampona 7

This type of guppy differs from its relatives in the presence of flowers unusual for many other species. The peculiarity of this subspecies is the "snake pattern" on the abdomen near the pectoral fins, and the upper part of the tail is colored bright yellow with a dark spot.

Kampona 9

A fish on whose body the primary colors are arranged randomly, in the form of spots. Interestingly, each male has its own individual pattern. The only thing that unites them is that the fin extended back is always yellow. Males use it to attract females - they lift it high and turn it around a little, thereby attracting attention.

Kampona 17

Significantly different from other species with a bright red upper sword. In males ona round dark spot can be seen on the side, and another, the same, is located at the end of the tail.

Kampona 25

A fish with a dominant orange color in color. On the tail are black and yellow longitudinal strokes. A "peacock eye" is clearly visible on the caudal fin, and its edge is framed by a snake pattern, which is more often called a cobra.

We have presented you the most popular types of guppies. The fish, the varieties, the photos of which you see in this article, are really wonderful. They will decorate any aquarium, and even a beginner in this field can take care of them.

Maintenance and Care

These are active, strong and tenacious fish. They are not too demanding on the composition of water, but it is desirable that the pH is normal - 7.2, water hardness - 15 dH. To avoid sudden changes in water temperature, install a heater that will constantly regulate it. Guppies feel great at +26°C.

Lighting

Guppy care requires proper lighting. It is a source of vitamin D, and its deficiency can provoke a curvature of the spine of your pets. Constant lighting will not bring benefit either. For fry, daylight hours should last no more than four hours, for adult fish - eight. Lighting must be turned off at night.

Scenery

They not only decorate the aquarium, but also serve as a shelter for the fish. Pour gravel or sand at the bottom, in which it is easier to place live plants andvarious designs. Don't forget to set up shelters: caves, tubes, grottoes, etc.

Feeding

These are omnivorous fish that should receive both vegetable and protein foods. At home, you can feed them processed foods: flakes and granules, live and frozen foods (bloodworm, daphnia, mosquito larvae, brine shrimp, tubifex). You can give fresh, finely chopped vegetables (zucchini, tomatoes, lettuce, spinach).