Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
The classic beginner livebearer: hardy, endlessly variable in colour and pattern, and quick to breed in a community tank.
Ideal Conditions
- Temperature
- 22 – 28 °C
- pH range
- 6.8 – 8.2
- Hardness
- 8 – 20 dGH
- Adult size
- 3 – 6 cm
- Min. tank size
- 45 litres+
- Lifespan
- 1 – 3 years
- Diet
- Omnivore — flake, micro pellets, vegetable matter
- Water flow
- Low
- Preferred setup
- Planted tank with hard, alkaline water and cover for fry
About the Guppy
Guppies are small, tolerant livebearers that thrive in the hard, alkaline tap water found across much of the UK. Fancy strains are bred for extravagant fins and colour; those long-finned forms are more delicate than plain wild-type stock.
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Is it right for your tank?
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Where Guppy comes from
Native range
North-eastern South America, Southern Caribbean
Countries / regions
Venezuela, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados
Habitat
Warm, often hard freshwater streams, ditches and pools, frequently in disturbed or shallow habitats.
Illustrative native range only, not an occurrence dataset.
Similar species
Endler's Livebearer
Poecilia wingei
Platy
Xiphophorus maculatus
We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.
Compatible tank mates
Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.
- Great
Corydoras
Corydoras spp.
Peaceful bottom dwellers that tolerate the harder water guppies prefer.
- Compatible with caution
Harlequin Rasbora
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Compatible in temperament, but rasboras prefer softer water than guppies do.
- Not recommended
Betta
Betta splendens
Male bettas frequently attack the long, colourful fins of male guppies.
Current marketplace listings
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