Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
Photo: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Colorful, cheap, and a population bomb. A 10-gallon with a sponge filter is a classic. Separate sexes if you do not want hundreds.
Colorful livebearer. A population bomb if you mix sexes.
In the tank
- They pick leftover flakes and biofilm.
- Endless movement in a small tank.
- Water
- freshwater
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Swims
- Top
- Adult size
- 2 in
- Minimum tank
- 5 gal
- Group
- Can be kept singly
- Temperature
- 72–82°F
- pH
- 7.0–8.5
- Diet
- Flakes, crushed pellets, and veggie matter. Gut-loaded live foods make better fry.
- Beginner
- Yes, if the tank is cycled
How to keep them
- Sponge filter if you have fry.
- Separate sexes if you do not want hundreds.
Tankmates
Other livebearers, snails, shrimp if the guppies are not hunters.
Avoid
Male bettas, tiger barbs, and anything that rips tails.
Check tankmates · Stocking calculator
Same group
Endler's Livebearer
Poecilia wingei
A smaller, wilder guppy.
Grazes biofilm in planted nanos.
Platy
Xiphophorus maculatus
Sturdy livebearer for hard tap water.
Grazes a bit of algae and leftover food.
Molly
Poecilia sphenops
A livebearer that actually grazes algae.
Picks green film off glass and décor more than guppies do.
Swordtail
Xiphophorus hellerii
A bigger livebearer that uses the full water column.
Active swimmer in a 20 long.