Edit Poecilia reticulata
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Name
Scientific name
Poecilia reticulata
Described by
Authority Peters, Year 1859
Family
Poeciliidae
Summary
The guppy, Poecilia reticulata, is a livebearer native to northeastern South America and the southern Caribbean, including Venezuela and Tr…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
60mm, standard length
Tank size
Minimum length 45 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Minimum height 30 cm
Water
Temperature and pH
Temperature 17–28°C, pH 7–8.5
Hardness
8–30dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Community-safe
Where it lives
Countries
Not recorded
Supporting text
Etymology
Poecilia: from the Greek poikilo, meaning 'variable, variegated'. reticulata: from the Latin reticulatus, meaning 'reticulated, having a network-like pattern'.
Distribution
Native to northeastern South America and the southern Caribbean with its original range considered to cover Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana plus the…
Habitat
An incredibly adaptable species that occurs in almost every imaginable biotope, from high-altitude streams to turbid swamps and ditches. Some populations also …
Aquarium size
45 ∗ 30 ∗ 30 cm18 ∗ 12 ∗ 12 in
Maintenance
Unfussy, though a planted tank with floating vegetation is appreciated. Strong currents should be avoided. This is a hard water fish and while it may manage in…
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
Wild fish are primarily insectivorous, but today's tank-bred fish are far-removed from their ancestors and will accept most foods offered.
Behaviour and compatibility
A very peaceful fish. Do not keep with fin-nipping species such as tiger barbs, serpae tetras etc. Does well in a quiet community tank with other livebearers, …
Sexual dimorphism
In the wild type males are the more colourful sex and have elongated finnage, and this is taken to extremes in the selectively bred aquarium varieties. The mal…
Reproduction
Very easy. Livebearer. It is advisable to keep several females to each male as males can be quite vigorous in their constant pursuit of females. No real effort…
Notes
One of the most popular aquarium fish in the world, the guppy is instantly recognisable to most people. There are many aquarium bred varieties of this species …
References
References
1 on this profile