Facts About Guppy Fish

Guppy fish (Poecilia reticulata) is a member of the Poecilidae species, which give birth to live fish and do not lay eggs in clusters. These fish belong to the order of Cyprinodontiformes, which are small in size, have ray shaped fins and are exclusively freshwater fish. The female guppy fish is comparatively less attractive and larger than the males. Guppies are exquisitely colored and are a joy for people to watch.

Habitat and Feeding Habits

• Guppies were originally found in Trinidad, after which they have been introduced all over the world as an exotic fish.
• These fish are also used for controlling the spread of mosquitoes. The reason being that these fish feed on mosquito larvae as well, thereby significantly reducing the spread of malaria and dengue.
• Guppies prefer living in warmer waters and enjoy dwelling in warm springs, canals and ponds. They find temperatures of 23 - 24 C conducive for breeding and feeding.
• They will inhabit water bodies which have less predators, more green vegetation and other smaller fish.
• They enjoy feeding on insects, algae and zooplankton (animal crust and fish larvae).
• These fish are able to survive in salty water as well, which is why many include them among marine fish in tanks. Guppies are able to breed in saline water with equal ease as displayed in freshwater.

Reproductive Traits

• Guppy fish have a sexual dimorphism, which makes the males and females distinctly different from each other. While the males are far more colorful and slightly smaller, the females are dull gray in color and larger in size.
• The males attain maturity 2 months after birth, while females attain maturity at 3 months.
• The males carry their sperms in their gonopodium, which is flexible and is used during mating. This tubular fin is located behind the ventral fin of the fish.
• An inseminated guppy fish will have a visible enlarged and darkened gravid spot, near the anal cavity. This will be an indication for other males to avoid that particular female guppy.
• The gestation period for guppies lasts for 25-30 days, after which the live baby fish are born. During the gestation, the dimensions of the larvae can be seen through the translucent skin of the fish. Each female can give birth to 3-45 young ones, which takes about an hour and sometimes more.
• Surprisingly, the females are ready for the next conception soon after giving her litter. The reason being that female guppies are able to store sperm for many months so they can reproduce without the need of male guppies.
• The baby fish or fry are born survivors and are completely capable of looking after their own needs and existence.
• The small fries must be kept in a separate fish tank because, bigger guppies eat the newborns, in order to control overcrowding of the water source.
• Male guppies will sometimes attack a female while it is giving birth, which is why the females in gestation must be placed in separate tanks. However if placed prematurely, the females can die of loneliness.

Guppy fish are prone to diseases such as fungal infection in the mouth. They can get infections in their wounds when nipped by other male guppies and slightly bigger fish. Tail and fin rots are caused due to bacterial infection, while viral hemorrhagic septicemia causes the blood of the fish to get infected. This infection causes sores and blisters to erupt on the fish, and causes the fish to tear from inside-out. Guppy fish cannot survive in crowded fish tanks and will show their stress by moving at high-speed and by acting erratic. These fish make the tank look splendid, are mostly non-aggressive and will coexist with other small and peaceful fish.