Assorted Guppy (Poecilia reticulata)

The Assorted Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is the classic beginner fish for a reason: hardy, peaceful, always in motion, and bred in a rainbow of colors and tail patterns. Our assorted tanks hold a mixed selection of males and females, so you can pick flashy fan-tailed males for pure color, choose females if you want to try breeding, or take home a mix and let nature do the rest. Every order is picked up in store, which means you get to point out the exact fish you like. Browse the rest of our freshwater livestock and supplies while you plan the tank.

Male or Female: Which Should You Pick?

• Males are the showpieces: smaller bodies, big brilliantly colored tails, and constant courtship displays. An all-male group gives you maximum color with zero fry.
• Females are larger and rounder with softer color. They are the key to breeding, and most adult females come home already carrying fry.
• Mixing sexes? Keep 2 to 3 females per male so no single female gets chased nonstop, and expect babies within the first month or two.

Care Guide

• Tank size: 10 gallons or larger for a small group. Guppies are social and look best in groups of 6 or more.
• Water parameters: 72 to 82°F, pH 7.0 to 7.8. Guppies prefer clean, moderately hard, slightly alkaline water and adapt well to dechlorinated tap water.
• Feeding: omnivore. A quality staple like Hikari Fancy Guppy or Xtreme Community Crave flakes once or twice daily, with frozen or freeze-dried treats a few times a week for extra color.
• Fry cover: if you keep both sexes, dense plants like Java Fern and Weeping Moss give newborn fry places to hide until they are too big to be snacked on.
• Filtration: gentle flow is best. Long-finned males struggle in strong current, so baffle powerful filters or choose a gentle setup.

Specifications

Compatibility

Guppies are model citizens in a peaceful community tank. Great tank mates include platies, mollies, swordtails, pygmy corydoras, neon tetras, and nerite snails. Skip known fin nippers such as tiger barbs, which will shred those long guppy tails, and avoid anything large enough to eat a 2 inch fish.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Hikari Fancy Guppy micro pellets, sized for small guppy mouths
• Xtreme Community Crave krill and spirulina flakes
• Tetra TetraMin Tropical Flakes as an easy staple
• Ocean Nutrition Instant Baby Brine Shrimp for raising fry
• Live plants for fry cover and a natural look

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pick which guppies I get?
Yes. Orders are held for in-store pickup, and we net your fish when you arrive, so point out the colors you like and we will catch those exact fish.

Will my guppies have babies?
If you take home males and females, almost certainly. Guppies are livebearers that deliver free-swimming fry about every month. An all-male group is the way to go if you want color without a population boom.

What colors come in the assorted mix?
It changes with every shipment: reds, blues, yellows, cobras, tuxedos, mosaics, and more. The assorted tank is the best value way to get a colorful mixed group.

Do guppies need a heater?
In most homes, yes. They are tropical fish that want steady water in the 72 to 82°F range, and a small heater prevents stressful temperature swings.