Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
Family: Poeciliidae • Origin: South America
Guppies are the quintessential beginner fish. Males sport spectacular flowing tails in every color.
Min Tank
10 gal
Max Size
2.5"
Temperature
72-82°F
pH
6.8-7.8
Lifespan
2 years
School Size
3+
Swim Level
top
Hardness
8-20 dGH
peacefulbeginneromnivoreschooling
Care Tips
- • Keep 2-3 females per male
- • Will breed constantly
- • Prefers slightly hard alkaline water
- • Add floating plants for fry cover
- • Easy to overfeed
Feeding: Flakes, micro pellets, frozen brine shrimp. Accepts anything.
Compatibility Notes: Peaceful. Males have flowing tails — avoid fin-nippers. Breeds prolifically.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 10 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 20 gallons
- Swimming Level
- top
- Minimum School Size
- 3+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 72–82°F
- pH Range
- 6.8–7.8
- Hardness (dGH)
- 8–20
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 1/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- fast
Peaceful. Males have flowing tails — avoid fin-nippers. Breeds prolifically.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- live bearer
- Breeding Difficulty
- easy
- Lifespan
- 2 years
Ideal For
10 galloncommunitybeginnerskids
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
70-81°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Congo Tetra
Phenacogrammus interruptus
75-81°FpH 6-7.530+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+3.5"
Endler's Livebearer
Poecilia wingei
72-82°FpH 6.5-85+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+1.5"
Platy
Xiphophorus maculatus
70-80°FpH 7-810+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+3"
Molly
Poecilia sphenops
72-82°FpH 7-8.520+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+4.5"
Similar Species
Endler's Livebearer
Poecilia wingei
72-82°FpH 6.5-85+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+1.5"
Lyretail Guppy
Poecilia reticulata var.
72-82°FpH 7-810+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+2"
Black Bar Endler
Poecilia wingei black bar
72-82°FpH 7-85+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+1.5"
Tiger Endler
Poecilia wingei tiger
72-82°FpH 7-85+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+1.5"