Red Lace Guppy

Scientific Name: Poecilia reticulata

Common Name: Red Lace Guppy

Origin: Native to South America, particularly in the rivers and streams of Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana.

Size: Typically grows to about 1.5 to 2 inches (4-5 cm) in length.

Lifespan: 2 to 3 years with proper care.

Appearance:

• Body Color: The Red Lace Guppy features a brilliant red hue that covers most of its body.
• Tail Pattern: The tail fin is adorned with intricate lace-like patterns in red and sometimes black, creating a striking contrast.
• Fins: Both dorsal and caudal fins are often elongated and decorated with the lace pattern, adding to their beauty.

Temperament: Peaceful and sociable, making them excellent additions to community tanks.

Tank Size: Minimum of 10 gallons for a small group, but larger tanks are preferred for more space to swim and thrive.

Water Conditions:

• Temperature: 72-82°F (22-28°C)
• pH: 6.8-7.8
• Hardness: 10-30 dGH

Diet: Omnivorous. They thrive on a varied diet of high-quality flake food, frozen or live foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms. Supplementing their diet with vegetable matter is also beneficial.

Breeding:

• Ease: Relatively easy to breed in captivity.
• Behavior: Livebearers, meaning females give birth to free-swimming fry.
• Care: Provide plenty of hiding spaces for fry as adult guppies may eat them. Use breeding traps or separate breeding tanks for better survival rates.

Care Level: Easy. Suitable for beginners and experienced aquarists alike.

Tank Mates: Compatible with other peaceful fish such as tetras, mollies, and small catfish. Avoid housing with aggressive species that may nip at their fins.

Special Considerations: Maintain good water quality with regular water changes and a well-maintained filter. Guppies are prone to fin rot and other infections if kept in poor water conditions.