Half-black Guppy Care Guide
The half-black guppy is a selectively bred strain of Poecilia reticulata with a solid black rear half; it is a peaceful, prolific livebearer.
Overview
The half-black guppy is one of many fancy strains developed from Poecilia reticulata through selective breeding. It is characterised by a solid black rear half of the body combined with one of various front colours. Like all guppies it is a small, hardy livebearer.
Taxonomy
- Family: Poeciliidae
- Genus: Poecilia
- Scientific name: Poecilia reticulata var. Half-black
Habitat
The wild guppy is native to northern South America and nearby islands, including Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Guyana and northern Brazil. It inhabits warm freshwater and brackish habitats such as springs, weedy ditches, canals, ponds and vegetated streams.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 40 L (11 gal)
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 7.0-8.5
- GH: 10-25 °dGH
- Lifespan: 1-3 years
Diet
An omnivore. Wild guppies consume algal material, invertebrates, zooplankton, detritus and plant fragments. In the aquarium they accept dried flake and granular foods supplemented with small live and frozen foods.
Compatibility
Guppies are generally peaceful, although males may nip at other males and at top-swimming species. They suit community aquaria with similarly peaceful tankmates and should be kept away from known fin-nippers.
Breeding
Guppies are prolific livebearers with internal fertilisation. Females give birth to live young after a gestation that varies with temperature; FishBase reports broods of about 20-40 young, and females can store sperm and reproduce roughly every four weeks.