Guppy Classification: Poecilia Reticulata

The guppy's class name is Actinopterygii. Guppies are tiny tropical fish that are native to northeast South America and are now found all over the world. They are one of the world's most widely distributed tropical fish and are popular among those who keep freshwater aquariums. Guppies are part of the Poeciliidae family and are known for their colourful designs and feathery tailfins.

Guppy Scientific Classification

Guppies, or *Poecilia reticulata*, are a species of small, freshwater, live-bearing fish. They are native to the Caribbean and parts of South America, including Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela. Guppies are also now found all over the world, except Antarctica.

Guppies are a member of the genus *Poecilia*, which is one of about 22 genera in the subfamily Poeciliinae. The subfamily Poeciliinae, to which guppies belong, is characterised by live-bearing, with the exception of Tomeurus. The genus *Poecilia* falls within the family Poeciliidae, which is made up of various species that occupy both freshwater and brackish water environments.

Guppies are in the order Cyprinodontiformes, and are characterised by having pectoral fins placed high on the side of the body, pelvic fins placed in an anterior position, and pleural ribs connected to the first several haemal arches. They have a symmetrical caudal (tail) fin supported internally by one epural bone, and exhibit marked sexual dimorphism, with males often being brightly coloured.

Guppies belong to the class Actinopterygii, which is a class of ray-finned fishes. They are in the phylum Chordata, which contains all vertebrates, and the kingdom Animalia.

Guppy Conservation Status

Guppies are tiny tropical fish that are native to northeast South America, but they can now be found all over the world, except Antarctica. They are highly adaptable and can survive in both freshwater and brackish water.

The conservation status of guppies is "Least Concern". This is because they reproduce in large numbers, which helps their population remain stable.

Guppies are used in the fight against malaria. They have been introduced to bodies of water around the world to eat mosquito larvae, which are known carriers of the disease.

Guppies are also used as a model organism in the fields of ecology, evolution, and behavioural studies.

Guppy Physical Characteristics

Guppies are small tropical fish, typically measuring between 0.5 and 2.5 inches in length. They are distinguished by their colourful bodies and fins, and their feathery tail fins. Male and female guppies have different physical characteristics. Males are smaller and brighter in colour, with ornamental caudal and dorsal fins. Females are larger and duller in colour, with a uniform beige colouring and a small black spot that becomes more marked during pregnancy.

Guppies are native to South America, particularly northeast South America, including Venezuela, northern Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados. They have been introduced to many environments and are now found all over the world, except Antarctica. They are highly adaptable and can survive in a range of ecological conditions, including freshwater and brackish water habitats. They tend to favour environments rich in vegetation, small mountain brooks, and downstream river bends with slow-moving currents or seasonal pools.

Guppies exhibit sexual dimorphism, with male and female guppies displaying distinct colour patterns and fin shapes. Male guppies have splashes, spots, or stripes that can be any variety of colours, including red, blue, green, purple, yellow, white, orange, and black. The development of these colour patterns is influenced by the amount of thyroid hormone in their bodies. Female guppies, on the other hand, have a more uniform colouring, with beige or grey bodies and some colouration on their caudal and dorsal fins.

Guppies have a variety of tail shapes, including fan tails, triangle tails, veil tails, sword tails, round tails, and lyre tails. The caudal fins of male guppies are typically more developed and colourful than those of female guppies.

Guppies are omnivores and have a varied diet, consuming both plant matter and animal protein. In the wild, they feed on benthic algae, aquatic insect larvae, mosquito larvae, algal remains, diatoms, invertebrates, zooplankton, plant fragments, and mineral particles. In captivity, they can be fed a variety of live, frozen, dry, or flaked food.

Guppy Types by Tail Shape

Guppies are a type of freshwater tropical fish that come in a wide range of colours, shapes, and patterns. They are popular among aquarists due to their ease of care and the diversity of their appearances. One way to identify guppies is by their tail shape, and there are several types of guppies that can be distinguished by this feature. Here is a description of some of the most common and distinctive guppy types categorised by their tail shape:

Fantail Guppy

The fantail guppy, also known as the common guppy, is one of the most popular and widespread varieties of guppies. This type of guppy has a distinctive tail that spreads out like a fan behind the fish. The fantail is commonly seen for sale in pet stores but is less favoured by show breeders.

Veiltail Guppy

The veiltail guppy has an extra-long tail that resembles an isosceles triangle. The straight edges of the tail emerge from the base at a 45-degree angle and should ideally be the same length as the guppy's body.

Triangle or Delta Tail Guppy

The triangle or delta tail guppy has a triangular-shaped tail that spreads out in straight lines from the base of the tail. The tail should be about four-fifths the length of the guppy's body, making it wider and shorter than the veiltail variety.

Lyretail Guppy

The lyretail guppy is a beautiful variety that resembles the double swordtail type. The central part of the tail is short, about two-fifths the length of the body, while the curved upper and lower rays extend to about four-fifths of the body's length.

Roundtail Guppy

The roundtail guppy has a short, curved tail that reaches about half the length of its body. This type of tail shape is similar to those found in wild guppy stocks, but it has gained popularity among European breeders.

Scarf or Flag Tail Guppy

The scarf or flag tail guppy is a rare variety that has a long, rectangular-shaped tail almost as long as its body. It is thought to be a mutation of the Delta Tail and is only worked on by a few breeders worldwide.

Bottom Swordtail Guppy

The bottom swordtail guppy has a short, oval-shaped tail with a sword-like lower ray that extends from the body at a 15-degree angle. The upper portion of the tail usually only extends to about two-fifths of the body length.

Double Swordtail Guppy

The double swordtail guppy is similar to the lyretail type, with long, sword-like rays extending from both the upper and lower parts of the tail. The rays are the same length as the guppy's body, and the outer edges form an angle of 30 degrees or more.

These are just a few examples of the many types of guppies that can be categorised by their tail shape. Guppies exhibit an incredible diversity in their appearances, and breeders are constantly working to create new varieties, so it is exciting to consider the possibilities for future guppy enthusiasts!

Guppy Types by Body Pattern

Guppies are distinguished by their body patterns, with some varieties featuring two contrasted colours between the front and back halves of their bodies. Here are some of the most common types of guppies classified by their body patterns:

• Tuxedo Guppies are characterised by their two-toned bodies, similar to a tuxedo. The front half of the body is typically lighter in colour, while the rear half is darker.
• Cobra Guppies come in a variety of colours, including silver, green, orange, black, and white. They are distinguished by their spotted patterns on their bodies and tails, as well as vertical stripes on their front half.
• Snakeskin Guppies exhibit snake or tiger-like markings on their bodies. These patterns can vary, with some resembling snakes and others having tiger-like stripes.
• Panda Guppies have a pattern that loosely resembles the coloration of a panda bear. They typically feature a dark black or blue colour on the dorsal fins, tail, and around the eyes, while the remainder of the body is a lighter, silvery colour.
• Koi Guppies resemble the colour scheme of koi fish, with red tails, white bodies, and red faces. This pattern is sometimes also apparent in female koi guppies.
• Dragon Guppies have a dramatic colour scheme, with fiery red-orange dorsal fins and tails, and a two-tone body that is dark in the rear and lighter in the front.

Frequently asked questions