The Lyretail Guppy is one of many variations of Poecilia reticulata guppy. The hardiness of these stunning fishes as well as the fact that it matures quickly makes it an excellent fish for beginners in this hobbyists. These hardy colorful guppy fish add excitement and brilliance to the passive community aquarium. Unique color strains have been developed through selective breeding programs. Guppies stay small, under 2-1/2 inches in length, and will add interest and color to the small community aquarium.
The male Lyretail Guppy has a silver, green and red body with a yellow and white delta tail. The pattern of colors within the tail gives it a split, or lyretail appearance. Lyretail Guppy requires a tank with at least 20 gallons of water, and is very tolerant of changing tank conditions. Aquarium plants should be hardy varieties such as Java Fern and Java Moss that can handle the increased hardness in the tank. Other peaceful fish would make good tank mates.
Breeding Guppies are not require special treatment. The females in this pair are of an assorted variety; however, you can differentiate the males and females easily. The males are smaller in size, have brighter coloration, along with a bigger tail fin, and pointed anal fin. The females are larger in size with a duller coloration, have a rounded anal fin, as well as a pregnancy patch on the lower portion of the body. Ideally, the environment should have a covering of floating ferns and a breeding box to protect the fry. Adults may eat the fry if left to fend for themselves without the breeding box. The fry should be fed brine shrimp, micro food and pulverized flakes.
The Lyretail Guppy is an omnivore and requires both algae-based foods as well as meaty foods. An algae-based flake food, along with freeze-dried blood-worms, tubifex, and brine shrimp will provide guppies with the proper nutrition.