Moscow Guppies: A Russian Aquarium Staple

Moscow Guppies are a breed of Guppy fish that were developed through selective breeding in Russia in the late 70s to early 80s. They are considered designer fish, bred to express certain desirable traits such as colour, tail shape, and fin size. These traits make them stand out compared to other Guppies and they are widely appreciated for their beauty. Moscow Guppies are perhaps the most expensive fish in the aquarium hobby, with prices ranging from $40 to $100 depending on their strain. They are also larger than general guppies and have longer tails, fins, and thicker bodies.

Moscow Guppies are the result of artificial selection, bred for desirable traits like colour, tail shape and fin size

Moscow Guppies are a breed of Guppy fish that does not exist in nature. They are the result of artificial selection, bred for desirable traits like colour, tail shape and fin size. This process of selective breeding began in Russia in the late 1970s to early 1980s, with the first Moscow Guppies appearing in the US in 1988.

The Moscow Guppy is a "designer fish", selectively bred to express certain traits. These traits include deep block colours, with no distinguishing patterns, and a soft, metallic sheen, especially around the head. They have very large caudal and dorsal fins, and rare strains may feature a long anal fin, one to two times longer than their body. These traits make the fish stand out compared to other Guppies, and their rarity and the complexity of the breeding process contribute to their high value.

Moscow Guppies are bred for their colour, which can be red, black, purple, blue or green. Purple Moscow Guppies, for example, are bred by crossing fully blue and fully red Moscow Guppies. The resulting fish should have a blue base with plenty of red colour cells, creating a purple colour. The shade of purple depends on the number of red pigments in the Guppy's cells, and it can be difficult to get the perfect ratio of pigments.

Moscow Guppies are also larger than general Guppies and have longer tails, fins and thicker bodies. Female Moscow Guppies tend to be more colourful than other Guppy strains.

They are perhaps the most expensive fish in the aquarium hobby

Moscow Guppies are perhaps the most expensive fish in the aquarium hobby. They are a special strain of Guppy fish that does not exist in nature. Instead, they are the result of artificial selection, or "designer fish", selectively bred to express certain desirable traits. These traits include colour, tail shape, and fin size. Moscow Guppies have an easily recognisable look: they come in deep block colours and have no distinguishing patterns. This is the defining characteristic of this strain. They also have a soft, metallic sheen, especially around the head area, and very large caudal and dorsal fins.

These traits are very difficult to create via selective breeding. It is a long and complicated process, which makes the fish very rare and expensive. The first Moscow Guppies were created in the early 80s in Russia, and were allegedly smuggled into the US in the 80s. They are also bigger than other species of guppy, and the females display a lot of colour.

The most expensive type of Moscow Guppy is the Purple Moscow Guppy. This is because it is one of the hardest strains to breed. To get a full, rich purple colour, you need to cross-breed fully blue and fully red Moscow Guppies. The resulting fish should have a blue base and plenty of red colour cells. It is the combination of blue and red that creates the purple colour. The shade of purple will depend on the number of red pigments in the Guppy's cells. You'll often see "purple" Moscow Guppies that look mostly blue, depending on the lighting. The perfect ratio of pigments is crucial for the purple shade but is also difficult to get right.

They are not very common due to their high price tag, ranging from $40 to $100

Moscow Guppies are a special strain of Guppy fish that is the result of artificial selection. They are often referred to as "designer fish" because they have been selectively bred to express certain desirable traits such as colour, tail shape, and fin size. These traits, particularly colour, are very difficult to create via selective breeding, making the process complex, time-consuming, and expensive. This is a key reason why Moscow Guppies are not only rare but also very costly, with prices ranging from $40 to $100.

The high price tag of Moscow Guppies is also due to their purebred status and the fact that they are relatively rare. To maintain their distinctive traits, these fish must be kept purebred, which can be challenging and demands a certain level of expertise in fish keeping. Additionally, Moscow Guppies are in high demand, and their breeding is quite common in certain parts of the world, such as Indonesia. The combination of these factors contributes to their high price and relatively limited availability.

Purple Moscow Guppies, in particular, are known to be quite expensive, with prices ranging from $40 to $100. This specific strain is challenging to breed, as achieving a full, rich purple colour requires crossing fully blue and fully red Moscow Guppies. The ratio of pigments must be precise to attain the desired purple shade, and even then, lighting can affect the perceived colour. This precision and complexity further contribute to the high price tag of Purple Moscow Guppies.

Moscow Guppies are not only expensive to purchase but also require a significant investment of time and resources to care for properly. They are not suitable for beginners due to their sensitivity to water conditions and the need for careful breeding practices. Their high price and the level of commitment required to keep them healthy make Moscow Guppies a more exclusive choice for experienced fish enthusiasts.

They are larger than general guppies and have longer tails, fins and thicker bodies

Moscow Guppies are a unique strain of guppy fish that was selectively bred in Russia in the late '70s to the early '80s. They were then smuggled into the United States in the '80s, where they gained recognition after winning the 3rd World Guppy Contest in Milwaukee in 1998.

Moscow Guppies are larger than general guppies and have longer tails, fins, and thicker bodies. Male Moscow Guppies can reach up to 2 inches (5 cm) in length, while females can grow to 2.5-2.8 inches (6-7 cm). This makes them quite large compared to regular guppies, which typically range from 0.6 to 1.4 inches in length.

The distinctive features of Moscow Guppies don't end with their size; they also possess very large caudal and dorsal fins, with some rare strains having an anal fin one to two times longer than their body. These traits contribute to their elegant and striking appearance.

The breeding process for Moscow Guppies is complex and meticulous, aiming to bring out specific desirable traits. They are known for their deep block colours and lack of distinguishing patterns, setting them apart from other guppies. The breeding process also targets traits such as colour, tail shape, and fin size, resulting in an easily recognisable look.

The size and striking features of Moscow Guppies make them stand out among their guppy peers. Their larger dimensions and impressive fins give them a presence that captivates fish enthusiasts and hobbyists alike.

Moscow Guppies are compatible with a wide range of fish but are best kept in a separate tank

Moscow Guppies are a special, designer strain of Guppy fish, created by humans through artificial selection. They are bred to have certain desirable traits, such as colour, tail shape and fin size. This makes them stand out compared to other Guppies. They are also perhaps the most expensive fish in the aquarium hobby.

Moscow Guppies are compatible with a wide range of fish. They are peaceful, laid-back and social, making them suitable for community tanks with other non-aggressive fish species. They are also active swimmers, so they are best kept with fish that swim at similar levels in the tank. Some good tank mates for Moscow Guppies include Corydoras Catfish, Dwarf Loaches, Neon Tetra, Platyfish, and Rasboras.

However, it is important to be careful when choosing tank mates for Moscow Guppies, as adding the wrong type of fish can cause them stress and affect their health. It is best to avoid known fin-nibblers, such as Tiger Barbs or Red-Tailed Shark, and fish that are much larger than Moscow Guppies, such as Angelfish. It is also important to consider the diet and water requirements of any potential tank mates, as well as the size of the tank, to ensure that it is not overcrowded.

Due to their high value and susceptibility to disease, it is recommended to keep Moscow Guppies in a separate tank to avoid the risk of disease spreading from other fish. This will also allow you to provide them with the optimal environment they need to thrive, as they are less likely to come into contact with parasites or diseases that could be spread by other fish.

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