Care Guide for Fanncy Guppies

What are fancy guppies? 

Fancy guppies, also known as "million fish" or "rainbow fish," are a specific type of guppy that are bred for their vibrant colors and unique patterns. They are a variety of the common fancy guppy that has been selectively bred for their attractive physical characteristics. 

Fancy guppies come in a wide variety of colors such as red, blue, yellow, and purple, and they have a variety of tail shapes and patterns. They are famous for being hardy and adaptable, still, appropriate water conditions are necessary for their health.

Fancy guppies vs regular guppies.

The main difference between fancy guppies and regular guppies is that they have been selectively bred for their unique colors and patterns, while regular guppies have not. Fancy guppies come in a wide variety of colors such as red, blue, yellow, and purple, and they have a variety of tail shapes and patterns. They have vibrant colors and unique patterns and are often used to add color and interest to an aquarium. 

On the other hand, regular guppies are wild-type guppies that have not been selectively bred for their physical characteristics. They typically have a more subdued coloration and less extravagant tail shapes and patterns. They are prominent for their hardiness, flexibility, and great additions to a community tank. Whether you keep fancy guppy or regular guppy, taking care of them is essential.

What is the average lifespan of a fancy guppy?

The average life span of a fancy guppy is around 2-3 years. However, the life span of a fancy guppy can be affected by various factors such as water quality, diet, and genetics. Fancy guppies can live up to 3 years with proper care and a suitable environment. 

It's important to consider that fancy guppies, like other fish species, are susceptible to disease and stress. Therefore, it's important to maintain a proper environment, provide a balanced diet, and promptly address any signs of illness to ensure a healthy and long life for your fancy guppies.

What is the max adult size of a fancy guppy?

The adult size of a fancy guppy depends on its sex. Male fancy guppies typically reach a maximum size of around 2 inches (5 cm) in length, while female fancy guppies are slightly larger and can reach up to 2.5 inches (6.5 cm).

Can guppies get pregnant without intercourse with males?

Guppies are live-bearing fish, meaning they give birth to live young rather than laying eggs. Female guppies can store sperm from a male and use it to fertilize eggs at a later time, which means that they can get pregnant without a male present. 

This is known as "virgin birth" or "parthenogenesis" and it's a rare but possible event. However, the chance of a female guppy reproducing this way is low and it's more likely that the female will reproduce with a male guppy.

What kind of plant do guppies like?

Guppies are known to be hardy and flexible fish, and they can thrive in a variety of planted tanks. However, some plants are better suited for guppies than others such as tissue cultured plants. Here are a few more types of plants that guppies tend to like.   

Java fern: Java fern is a low-maintenance plant that can tolerate a wide range of water conditions. It's a great addition to a guppy tank as it provides shade and shelter for the fish. 

Anubias: Anubias is a hardy and slow-growing plant with the quality of tolerance. It can also have a great impact on the aesthetics of the tank and the good health of the fish.

Tissue Cultured Plants: Tissue cultured plants are quite adaptable and can be a great option for the aquarium to make the fishes happy. 

Does a female guppy give birth all at once? 

Female guppies typically give birth to live young one at a time, rather than all at once. Guppies are known to be live-bearing fish, which means that they give birth to live young rather than laying eggs. Female guppies carry their eggs inside their body and give birth to live fry.  

The length of the pregnancy and the number of newborns can vary depending on the individual female guppy, but on average a female guppy may have around 20-100 fry per litter. Female guppies can give birth to several litters in one year, and they can store sperm from a male and use it to fertilize eggs later.

Taking care of fancy guppies.

Taking care of guppies helps them extend their life span and improve their habitat. 

• Have a required-sized pool: Select a water tank depending on the size of your water creatures. If they are vast in quantity, then the ideal option is to buy an aquarium. Add a minimum of 20 gallons for a small group of fancy guppies. Ensure proper filtration system and heater . 

• Adjust water parameters: Fancy guppies require a pH level between 7.0-8.0 and a temperature between 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit. Test the water regularly using a pH test kit and a thermometer to ensure these conditions are met. 

• The habitat should be compatible: Fancy guppies prefer a heavily planted tank with plenty of hiding places. They also enjoy having a variety of plants and decorations to explore. Live plants such as Java moss, Anubias, and Java fern can help provide hiding places for the fish and also help to keep the water clean by absorbing excess nutrients. 

• Feed fancy guppies in an order: Fancy guppies are opportunistic feeders and will eat a variety of food sources, including flakes, pellets, frozen, and live foods. Feed them small amounts 2-3 times a day, and remove any uneaten food to prevent it from decaying. 

• Water pool maintenance: Regularly perform water changes of about 20-30% once a week to remove waste and toxins. Keep the tank clean by removing debris and uneaten food. 

• Keep the population in control: Overcrowding can lead to stress and disease, so make sure to keep the guppy population at a stable level concerning the size of the tank. A general rule is 1 gallon of water per guppy. 

• Choose compatible tank mates: Fancy guppies are peaceful and can be kept with various other fish species. They should not be kept with larger, aggressive fish that may bully or eat them. They can be kept with other live-bearing fish such as mollies and platies, as well as with tetras, rasboras, and peaceful cichlids.