Family: Poeciliidiae
Distribution: Poecilia reticulata, known also as Guppy, is a benthopelagic species found in Venezuela, northern Brazil, Barbados, and Trinidad. It is usually distributed in warm springs and weedy ditches; it inhabits slow-flowing or still waters.
PH: 7.0 – 8.0
Temperature: 18°C – 28°C (64 – 82F)
Hardness: 9 – 19 dH
Description: Poecilia reticulata males can get up to 3.5 cm in length; females are much larger with a maximum of 6 cm. Wild-type females are grey; males have splashes, stripes of spots that range in colours – yellow, orange, black, red, blue and purple. This species has a life expectancy of about two years.
Diet: Poecilia reticulata can be fed any type of fish food; you should feed it once or twice a day at best. Guppies will enjoy live food – particularly important for successful breeding – and you can offer them algae and liver flakes as a supplement.
Breeding: Poecilia reticulata breed in pairs. Once the female is inseminated, she will display an enlarged, darkened area near the anus; you may even see the eyes of the fry through the translucent skin in this area during that time. The Guppy will require a temperature of around 27°C for reproduction. The female usually has about 5 – 30 fry, but can reach up to 100. You will need to put plants in your tank to catch the eggs; the young fry, once hatched, will take one to two months to reach maturity.
Comments: Poecilia latipinna will require at least a five gallon tank. You should provide plenty of plants and hiding places for spawning, as well as ensure you have a slow water flow in your tank. This species is a prolific breeder and quite a hardy creature; it is highly recommended to beginners.
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Recommended Compatible Species: The Guppy is compatible with most peaceful species; They will live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetra and Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, Corydoras Catfish (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Platy and most Gourami (such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio (particularly the Zebra Danio and Pearl Danio) and also many Killifish make great tank mates.
Originally posted 2010-01-17 21:19:48. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
