Fancy Guppies for Fancy Aquariums
What are Fancy Guppies? Fancy Guppies (Poecilia reticulata) also known as Millionfish are an incredible species, beloved by aquarium enthusiasts worldwide, and constantly in demand when it comes to aquariums. What makes these little beauties so special is that they’re basically the equivalent of a fingerprint, with each guppy’s coloration being completely unique to it and it alone. In short, each guppy is a masterpiece, and no two of these species look the same. Why so fancy? The Wild Guppy, not a colorful fish by any stretch of the imagination, is a mostly gray fish with a few minor splashes of color on it. But dedicated breeders around the world have taken this wild species and produced some of the most colorful strains of species ever seen in the aquatic world. Until recently, female guppies were considered to be heavier on the drab end, but as of recently, even they have been bred to produce vibrant coloration. In short, fancy. Quite fancy, indeed.
Tank conditions for Fancy Guppies What makes Poecilia reticulata so attractive to both beginners and veteran aquarists is because of how tolerant they are of a wide array of tank conditions. It would be safe to provide these little delights a tank with a minimum capacity of 10 gallons, as you want each of your guppies to have at least a gallon of space to themselves. These hardy species will still thrive in water prone to brackish or salt qualities, however, it is recommended that the water be kept as fresh as possible.
Do guppies get diseases? Be wary of stock quality. The very fact that these fish come in massive bunches means that stocks should be checked and re-checked for quality, to ensure that your aquarium gets the healthiest guppies. These species are unfortunately prone to fungal infections, which tend to damage the tissue of their large (and fancy) tail. Additionally, true breeding within guppies will be most likely inbred, which leads to genetic weakness and a decrease in hardiness. Rely on responsible suppliers like LiveAquaria® to provide you with healthy, active stock. Tankmates for Fancy Guppies First and foremost, guppies enjoy their own company. Two to three females to one male is the rule of thumb when it comes to adding these fancy lads and lasses to your aquarium. Added to how beautiful they are, guppies are easy going and friendly, making for excellent tankmates with most other similarly peaceful species. Other fish like smaller Tetras, Cory Catfish, and Platy Fish, make for excellent tankmates for these fancy species. Keep them away from Bettas though. While peaceful, Millionfish tend to be highly active and they do have a tendency to chase fry and nip at bettas, also known as Siamese Fighting Fish.
A fancy diet for a Fancy Guppy Well, not really. There are countless reasons as to why these popular species are favorites among veterans and beginners alike, and one of them happens to be how easy they are in the dietary department. Guppies are omnivores and as such, will enjoy all manner of fresh, frozen and flake food. In an aquarium, Fancy Guppies will do just fine with a commercially prepared diet of fish food, with supplementary live and vegetable-based food. Throw in some brine shrimp and bloodworms as a treat and these fish will love you for it. While Poecilia reticulata are not picky eaters, they need to be fed a varied diet several times a day in small amounts. |
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