
Guppies are a very popular breed of freshwater fish, and they are kept by many fish owners all over the world. They are especially popular due to their stunning coloration and beautiful markings, as well as their docile and easy-going nature.
The average size of guppies is about 2 inches long, with male guppies measuring between 1.5 and 3.5 cm in length, and females between 3 and 6 cm. Guppies usually stop growing at around 6 months, and their lifespan is around 2 to 5 years, depending on whether they live in the wild or captivity.
The size of a guppy will be influenced by its diet, the space it has to swim, and water conditions such as temperature, oxygen level, and cleanliness. Additionally, genetics also play a role, with some guppies having bigger fins and tails than others due to selective breeding.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Average size | 1.5-2 inches |
Male size | 1.5-3.5 cm (0.6-1.4 inches) |
Female size | 3-6 cm (1.2-2.4 inches) |
Baby size | 0.3-2 cm (0.12-0.8 inches) |
Juvenile size | 1.9 cm (0.75 inches) |
Adult size | 3-6 cm (1.2-2.4 inches) |
Jumbo Guppy size | 12.7 cm (5 inches) |
Average weight (male) | 0.07 ± 0.1 g |
Average weight (female) | 0.13 ± 0.1 g |
Average height | 9mm |
Time to reach full size | 6 months |
What You'll Learn
Male guppies grow to 1.5-3.5 cm (1.6-1.4 in) on average
Male guppies are smaller than females, with an average length of 1.5-3.5 cm (1.6-1.4 in). Female guppies, on the other hand, typically measure 3-6 cm (1.2-2.4 in) in length.
The average body weight of a male guppy is 0.07 ± 0.1 g, while females weigh 0.13 ± 0.1 g. The mean height for both sexes is 9mm.
Guppies reach their full size within about six months, which is also when they reach peak maturity. However, their limbs and tails continue to grow throughout their lives.
Several factors influence the size of a guppy, including genetics, water parameters, tank size, and diet. For example, guppies with bigger fins and tails are known to exist due to selective breeding.
Additionally, guppies in captivity tend to grow bigger than their wild counterparts due to factors such as diet, with captive guppies being fed fish food, insect larvae, and vegetables.
To ensure optimal growth, guppies should be provided with a spacious tank, clean water, and a nutritious diet.
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Female guppies grow to 3-6 cm (1.2-2.4 in) on average
Female guppies are larger than their male counterparts. They typically grow to between 3 and 6 cm (1.2 and 2.4 in) in length.
Guppies are tiny fish, but they are active and need ample space to swim in their tank. A larger tank is recommended to ensure a comfortable amount of space for all the guppies. A spacious tank also easily accommodates aquarium equipment and live plants. This is especially important if you plan to breed guppies, as they require even more space.
The size of a guppy tank depends on the number of guppies you wish to keep. A minimum of a 10-gallon tank is recommended for a small group of guppies. However, a larger tank is preferable, and the general rule of thumb is that guppies need at least 2 gallons of water per fish. For a fry, half a gallon of water per fry should suffice.
Guppies are livebearers, which means they give birth to live young instead of laying eggs. Female guppies can deliver between 2 and 200 fry at a time, and the gestation period typically ranges from 21 to 30 days.
Guppies are popular freshwater fish for aquariums due to their stunning coloration, beautiful markings, and easy-going nature. They are also low-maintenance, docile, and hardy, making them a good choice for beginner aquarists.
The average lifespan of a guppy is around two years in the wild and up to five years in captivity, provided the conditions are favourable.
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Guppies are fully grown in around 6 months
Guppies are considered fully grown at around six months old. However, their growth rate and final size will depend on several factors, including their living conditions, diet, and genetics.
Guppies are small fish, but they require ample space to swim and exercise. A lack of space can stunt their growth, while too much space can make it difficult for fry and juveniles to find food. As a general rule, a 10-gallon tank is recommended for 3-5 guppies, with an additional 1-gallon per extra fish.
Water conditions are also crucial to guppy growth. Guppies require clean, warm water with a neutral pH balance and stable water parameters, including optimal temperature, oxygen levels, and hardness. Regular water changes of 15-20% of the total volume are necessary to remove waste and toxins and maintain healthy oxygen levels.
A nutritious and well-rounded diet is vital to support the growth of guppies. In the wild, guppies eat a variety of plant and animal matter. In captivity, they can be fed a mix of high-quality flakes and pellets, as well as live foods such as bloodworms and brine shrimp. Guppies should be fed multiple times a day, with protein-rich foods being particularly important for fry and juveniles.
Genetics also plays a significant role in determining the size of guppies. The size of the parents will impact the size of their offspring, and selective breeding by breeders can also lead to larger or smaller guppies. Additionally, genetics influences other physical traits such as patterns, colours, and tail shapes.
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Guppies need a varied diet to grow
Guppies are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. In the wild, they eat a varied diet of soft algae, aquatic insect larvae, brine shrimp, invertebrates, diatoms, plant remains, and vegetable matter.
In captivity, guppies can be fed a variety of store-bought and homemade foods. Store-bought options include fish flakes, veggie pellets, and freeze-dried brine shrimp, bloodworms, and tubifex worms. Homemade options include finely chopped vegetables like lettuce, mustard greens, peas, and zucchini, and bite-sized pieces of fruits like bananas and grapes. Guppies also enjoy hard-boiled egg yolk, though this should be fed in small quantities.
Guppies have small stomachs but will eat large quantities of food if available, so it's important not to overfeed them. Guppies should be fed once or twice a day, with small quantities of food that they can consume in a minute.
A varied diet is crucial for guppies to get all the nutrients they need to grow and build a strong immune system. Nutritional deficiencies can lead to deformities and diseases. Guppies require a diet rich in protein and nutrients, which can be provided by live foods such as baby brine shrimp, micro worms, daphnia, and vinegar eels.
Guppies also require optimal water conditions to grow and develop properly. This includes stable water parameters such as temperature, oxygen levels, and hardness, as well as regular water changes to remove toxins. Additionally, guppies need enough space in the aquarium to swim actively and should be kept in a group of at least six or more to reduce stress and aggression.
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Genetics play a role in guppy size
Guppies are petite fish that typically grow to about 1.5-3.5 cm (1.6-1.4 in) long in the case of males, and 3-6 cm (1.2-2.4 in) long for females. However, genetics play a significant role in determining the size of a guppy, and this size can vary depending on the strain produced by breeders through selective breeding.
Guppies have been selectively bred for various traits, including colour, patterns, tail shapes, and size. The size of a guppy can be influenced by the specific strain it belongs to, and this influence is dictated by the genetics of the strain.
The genetic control of growth in guppies has been a subject of scientific study. Research has shown that a small number of genes control the final body size of guppies, and some of these genes are likely located on the sex chromosome. This means that the genetic makeup of the parents can have a direct impact on the size of their offspring.
Additionally, genetic linkage maps have been developed for guppies, which has allowed for the mapping of loci underlying quantitative variation in traits such as size, shape, and colour. This means that specific genes have been identified that influence the size of guppies, and these genes can be selectively bred for to create larger or smaller guppies.
Breeding guppies for size is not an easy task and requires breeding experience and patience. It takes multiple generations of selective breeding to increase the size of guppies as a species. However, with good diet, proper keeping conditions, and selective breeding across multiple generations, it is possible to create larger guppy specimens.
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Frequently asked questions
Guppies are small fish, but their size varies depending on their sex, genetics, and environment. Male guppies typically grow to between 1.5 and 3.5 cm (0.6-1.4 inches), while females reach 3-6 cm (1.2-2.4 inches). However, some female guppies can grow to be 3-5 inches long due to excessive cross-breeding or growth issues.
The size of a guppy is influenced by its diet, environment, and genetics. A varied and nutritious diet, optimal water conditions, and adequate tank space are essential for guppies to reach their full size potential.
Yes, female guppies are generally larger than male guppies, which is a common characteristic among fish species.
Guppies typically reach their full size within 5-6 months. After this point, their growth rate slows down significantly, and they are considered adults.
Yes, there are many subspecies of guppies, including the Jumbo Guppy, which can grow up to 5 inches (12.7 cm) in length. Breeders also selectively breed guppies to create new patterns, colors, shapes, and sizes, resulting in variations in their size.