Guppy Species and Origin

Species 

Poecilia reticulata Peters 1860, the common guppy. South America (Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela) and nearby islands. Maximum size around 2.5", males usually about half that size but with brighter colours, particularly on the tail. A very variable species, wild-caught fish are sometimes traded but mostly aquarists will find the more brightly coloured fancy guppies on sale. Does well in freshwater or brackish conditions, pH 7-8, dH 9-19, temperature 18-28 C. Wild-caught guppies and non-fancy "feeder" guppies are notably more robust than fancy guppies. Fancy guppies require a mature aquarium with good water quality to do well. 

Poecilia wingei Poeser, Kempkes, & Isbrücker, 2005, the Endler Guppy to the aquarium trade but Campoma guppy to science. Endemic to Venezuela, but only in Campoma region where the common guppy is not naturally found. Males smaller than male common guppies but more brightly coloured. Females similar in size and colouration to common guppies. In general terms maintenance is identical to that of the common guppy, except that warm water conditions are preferred, ideally around 26-28 C. Common and Endler guppies hybridize readily, and most of the Endler guppies available in pet stores are in fact hybrids of the two species. While perfectly nice fish in themselves, aquarists after pure-bred Endler guppies will do better by obtaining them from aquarium clubs, auctions, etc. 

Micropoecilia picta (Regan 1913), is known as the Swamp Guppy in the trade and is referred to as Poecilia picta in many older aquarium books. It is a small species getting to about an inch or so in length and rather resembles a wild-type guppy at first glance. It is a bit more streamlined than the average guppy though, and its tail is not so large. Coloration is very variable, and a number of aquarium strains have been developed. Typically the fish is silvery-green with patches of yellow, blue, and black. Males are smaller but more colorful than the females. A brackish water species, the swamp guppy does not do well kept in a freshwater tank; pH 7.5-8.0, hardness 20 dH or more, specific gravity 1.003-1.005. Temperature 26-28 C.

Fancy guppy varieties 

Describing the full range of fancy guppies available is impossible. Fancy guppies can be found in practically every colour imaginable, some entirely one colour, others a mix of colours. Blue and red guppies are particularly popular. There are of course albino guppies as well as all-yellow "blonde" guppies. Guppies with snakeskin patterns on their bodies and fins are very popular, and any number of varieties have been produced, such as "king cobras" and "green snakeskins".