Guppies

Guppies (Poecilia reticulata) are livebearing freshwater fish. These colorful, peaceful community fish (males average 2" and females 2.5") come in many wild and hybrid types. They are easily interbred with other livebearers, including endlers, platys and swordfish (which some keepers claim are just platys in disguise).

 

Their original wild range of Guppies is thought to be in the northern regions of South America (similar to Endlers). Due to careless fish husbandry, they can now be found world-wide, with the exception of Antarctica and other similarly frigid regions. Although their preferred temperature range is 74F - 82F, guppies can tolerate (and breed at) 68F to 84F. 

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Like Endlers, guppies prefer well-planted tropical freshwater tanks. Guppies predate on their own young unless the tendency is "bred out" of their particular breed line. It is essential the fry have many places to hide, in order to survive in the tank with the parents - particularly the mother. Many breeders separate the mother from the fry to avoid this.

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Guppies & Endlers can be kept in community tanks that lack fin nippers. They can also be kept together, or with platies and swordtails. You should expect interbreeding should any other these  four fish species be kept together. To maintain breed lines, do not allow this to occur.

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Beside their own fry, guppies will eat hornwort, algae, scuds, small shrimps, small crabs, daphnia, bugs, smaller fish and other protein sources. The are opportunistic omnivores, so choose their tank mates wisely!