Lyretail Guppy (Poecilia reticulata)

The Lyretail Guppy or Poecilia reticulata is arguably one of the best starter freshwater fish for a small aquarium.  These Guppies are not only hardy and easy to care for, but they are very colorful too!  They only requiring an aquarium of about 20 gallons or more with the following water conditions, 64-82° F, KH 10-30 and pH 5.5-8.0.  


Lyretail Guppies have a long forked tail that makes up a good portion of their body, which in total can only reach lengths of about 2" maximum.  Male Lyretail Guppies are normally silver, red or green with yellow or white in their tales.  Males are almost always smaller than their female counterparts.  Females of this species are not as brightly colored and have a more rounded anal fin then the males, which is more pointed.  It is said that the Lyretail Guppy is quite easy to bred in captivity.  Just make sure that you have a breeding box for the fry, otherwise they might be eaten, cannibal style!  You can check out the Lyretail Guppy in the short video below...   

A combination of algae based foods with meaty foods well keep these omnivores happy and healthy.  Brine Shrimp, Tubifex, Bloodworms and flake food will all work well for the Lyretail Guppy.