Guppies are a simple freshwater tropical fish that can be kept in aquariums with minimal care. The fact that guppies come in a variety of colors, shapes, and patterns is one of the reasons why they are kept in a fish tank. Showy tails are found on some ornamental guppies, vivid colors are present on other kinds, and striking tiger-like designs can be seen on others.
The family Poeciliidae and the genus Poecilia contain an estimated 300 species of guppies. Poecilia reticulata is the scientific name for guppies. In Central America and South America, this little fish is endemic to freshwater rivers, lakes, and ponds. Certain types of guppies have acquired the ability to live in brackish water, and they may now be found in a variety of regions. The care of guppies in aquariums is the most common concern.
Guppies are a popular aquarium species because they eat most foods, don’t harass other species, and require very little care. Guppies can survive in a tank for about two years if you maintain them well. Others, however, may survive for three years or more. You’ll learn about several of the most peculiar kinds of guppies in this article. You’ll get a valuable guide on how to care for these lovely aquatic creatures at the conclusion of the article.
Different Types of Guppy Fish Species (With Pictures)
The Poeciliidae family includes three primary species of guppy fish.
Poecilia reticulata
The common guppy, or Poecilia reticulata, is the most prevalent kind of guppy available. These little fish come in a variety of vibrant colors and tail patterns, making them tough little fish. The males are generally 0.6 to 1.4 inches (1.5 to 3.5 cm) long, while the females are somewhat bigger. Common guppies are among the most stunning freshwater fish available thanks to selective breeding.
Poecilia wingei
The Endler guppy (Poecilia wingei) has lovely colors and is uncommon in aquariums. Some Endlers have dazzling metallic hues, iridescent tones, and burning vivid colors, which may contrast beautifully. Warm water is ideal for these guppy species. These guppies are seldom seen in pet stores.
Micropoecilia picta
‘Swamp guppies’ or ‘scarlet livebearers,’ as Micropoecilia picta guppies are called, live in brackish water and are also known as such. In most cases, saltwater-loving guppies are difficult to come by.
Different Types of Guppies
Guppies come in a variety of breeds and colors, with distinct tale forms and patterned designs. As a consequence, there are now several distinct varieties of guppies. Guppies are also a very simple freshwater fish to maintain alive and one of the best for beginners. Guppies are usually classified by their fin types, colors, and patterns.
Colors and patterns on the body and tail of guppy species may vary dramatically due to their diversity and diversity. Tails of guppies may be shaped like triangles, swords, spades, fans, or spears, and are commonly recognized by their tail patterns. Now, let’s take a closer look at the various types of guppies that you may keep in your home aquarium.
Fancy Guppies
Fancy guppies are common guppies with lovely coloring and fancy fins that have incredible colors. A fancy variant of guppy is one with fantails or triangular delta tails. Fancy guppies may have lovely coloring, including leopard tails, blue speckled tails, or rainbow-colored tail with black and red streaks in the form of a rainbow.
The Moscow strains are among the most interesting varieties of fancy guppies. Solid-colored guppies with large showy tails and vividly coloured fins are the most common. Moscow guppies are generally more expensive than other varieties of guppies.
Guppy Types by Tail Shape
One of the most common ways to tell guppies apart is by their tail shape. From a sword to a massive half-moon, there are roughly 13 distinct varieties of tails.
Veil tail guppies
The tail of these little freshwater guppy fish is an isosceles trapezoid with a triangular shape. The dorsal fins of the majority of these guppies are elongated, and the pelvic fins are trailing.
Delta triangle tail
The delta triangle tail is seen in most varieties of fancy guppies. In comparison to the fish’s body, this is rather huge. Delta tail guppies are frequently found with stunning color changes and intricate designs. When these guppy species swim through the water, they appear extremely elegant.
Fan tail guppies
Fancy guppies include guppies with fantails as well. Their tail is shaped like a triangular fan, as the name implies. Beautiful trailing fantails can be found in some of the more exotic guppy species.
Flag tail
Flag tails in a rectangular form are seen in some smaller guppies. Their tails resemble flags fluttering in the wind as they swiftly swim and dart through the water. Purchase a few flag tail guppies because they look better in groups if you choose to have them.
Sword tail guppies
Sword tail guppies belong to different strains with long pointed tails. These colorful aquarium fish are some of the most distinctive kinds available in your tank, thanks to their vivid colors and lengthy tails. These guppies have a tendency to live longer than others.
Double sword tails The top and bottom of their tail fins feature long, slender tails.
Top sword tail The tail of guppies is just extended from the top of their tail fin.
Bottom sword tail Guppies’ sword-like tail comes out of their bellies and extends from there.
Lyre tail
Species of guppies with lyre tails appear to have a double-sword type of tail, similar to double-sword tail guppies. Nevertheless, since this is connected by a tiny membrane, it is classified differently.
Needle or pin tail
The needle or pin-tail types of guppies are among the most fascinating and readily identified. The tip of the tail is sharp and rounded. Beautiful color variations are common among these guppies. They’re also among the most gorgeous guppies around.
Spade tail
The spade tail guppies have spade-like tails that resemble the look of a pack of cards’ spades. Some stunning multicolored pink, orange, black, and yellow types are available in a variety of color combinations.
Spear tail
The tail fins of guppies with spear tails are among the smallest of all guppy species. Their tails seem to be needle-like and spade-like, respectively.
Round tail
Round tail guppies have a round-shaped tail, as the name implies. The guppies’ compact appearance is enhanced by their round tail, and their iridescent colors make them stand out among other types of guppies.
Halfmoon tail
Some of the nicest guppies you’ll find have halfmoon tails. As they swing in the water, their tails are huge and gorgeous. Moreover, this species of guppy is highly valued aquarium specimens due to the wide range of colors and patterns.
Guppy Types by Body Pattern
Solid body colors like black, blue, or a range of turquoise hues are seen in specific types of new guppy varieties. The colored body patterns of several guppies species are also used to categorize them. It’s also helpful to remember that variations in a guppy’s tail aren’t taken into consideration when classifying them by body pattern.
Tuxedo guppies
The two-toned bodies of red tuxedo guppies, which are similar to a tuxedo, differentiate them. The front half of the body is usually lighter than the rear half.
Cobra guppies
Silver, green, orange, black, and white are just a few of the colors available in Yellow Cobra guppies. Cobra guppies have striped patterns on their bodies and tails, as well as vertical stripes on the front half of their heads.
Snakeskin guppies
It’s simple to see how snakeskin guppies got their moniker by looking at images of them. They have snake or tiger markings on their body. Snake-like patterns or tiger-like patterns may be seen on snakeskin guppy species.
Guppy Types According to Tail Pattern
With long flowing tails, some of the most gorgeous and attention-grabbing guppies offer a touch of elegance and class to the fish’s appearance. Beautiful guppies, on the other hand, may be transformed into stunning varieties by dramatic tail patterns.
Glass guppies
Glass guppies have transparent tails, which is one of their characteristics. The silvery appearance of fish is due to the lack of a particular silver dye in these guppy species. Beautiful vivid and metallic colors, as well as speckling on the tails of many glass guppies, are also present.
Leopard guppies
Leopard guppies have a variety of tail colors, and their markings are leopard-like. Others have leopard-like markings that are orange and black. Others are leopard guppies, with beautiful red, white, and blue hues and distinctive black markings.
Lace guppies
Fin tails on lace guppies usually have intricate patterns on fan-shaped tail fins, as well as snakeskin body. The unusual coloring of lace guppies attracts the attention of people, and they are also a kind of snakelike guppy. Red and orange tail guppies, as well as blue snakebody patterns, are common sights in the aquarium.
Mosaic guppies
Due to their amazing metallic, iridescent, and brilliant colors, all mosaic guppies are also members of the kinds of fancy guppies. The guppies with halfmoon or delta-shaped tail fins are among the most exceptional in this class.
Guppy Types According to Colors
The wide range of color variations guppies come in is one of the reasons why they are one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish.
Guppies may have dull skin on their bodies, but their fins and tails are vividly colored. They may appear awe-inspiring by having so many different vivid and brilliant color combinations. Based on their color schemes, there are over 30 different types of guppies. Let’s explore a few of the most stunning and unusual specimens.
Albino guppies The body is white and almost translucent, with pink patterns. They can have triangular or flag-like tails and are a unique kind of guppy. Guppies with red eyes are also one of their few species.
Red eyes are found in albino guppies, which are a rare species.
Black guppies Since they appear so unusual, some of the coolest kinds of fish in an aquarium are these. Little to medium-sized black guppies are the best kind.
Solid color guppies It might be turquoise green, red, blue, or white. The tails of several of the most gorgeous guppies are beautiful, with long extended or spectacular dorsal fins. The Moscow guppy strains, which are also among the most costly guppies, include a number of them.
Bi-Colored guppies They usually have a discernible base color and a different coloration on one-quarter of their body. Red, blue, and green are the most common colors for these guppy varieties, which may be found in any color.
Half-and-half colored guppies Some of the most interesting color variations are shown here. These sorts of hues are often difficult to breed as well as some of the most costly ones, and they’re usually difficult to breed. Half black and blue, half black and red, the red delta guppy, and half-black and yellow are some of the most popular color combinations for guppies.
Look for half-black pastel guppies if you want to get a particularly gorgeous color of colored guppy. The pastel-colored fantail and veil tails of these guppies are some of the most beautiful.
Other types of guppy color variations
It’s impossible to list all of the guppy color combinations. Metallic colors, koi guppies, Jarawee lazuli guppies, and platinum guppies are some of the most common species.
Guppy Types According to Pectoral Fins
The tail fin shape and dorsal fin are used to classify most fancy guppies. The Dumbo ear guppy is the only kind of guppy with unusual pectoral fins. The two fins on either side of this guppy’s body are shaped like huge elephant ears, which gives it its name. Dumbo ear guppies come in a variety of color combinations and can be any of the various fin types depending on the strain.
Guppy Types by Eye Color
Because of their eye color, there are only two varieties of guppies worth mentioning. The albino guppy and the genuine red-eye guppy are two species that we’ve previously talked about. A deep orange to red body and bright red eyes distinguish the genuine red-eye guppy. This makes this guppy species extremely unique and uncommon, as well as one of the most.
Other Types of Guppies
It may be difficult to group each guppy into one category since there are so many species of guppies. Mutt guppies, which aren’t as stunning as the gorgeous guppies described in this article, are some of the less gorgeous varieties of guppy.
How to Care for Guppies
Guppies are one of the most straightforward freshwater aquarium fish to maintain. It is vital to create the appropriate environment in the fish tank because guppies are most often found in warm water lakes, rivers, and ponds. Water temperature is one of the most essential aspects to consider when caring for guppies.
A water heater is necessary for your aquarium, and it should maintain a temperature of between 75 and 82°F (23 and 27°C) at all times. Every day, your guppies need at least 8 hours of darkness.
Feeding your guppies is another factor to consider while they’re being cared for. Guppy flakes are the most common option, but worms and mosquito larvae are also acceptable. Feed tiny amounts two to four times a day, and make sure that all food is consumed within two minutes.
Weekly tank cleaning, fresh water replacement, and proper pH levels are also required for guppies to thrive in aquariums.