Guppies are some of the most captivating aquarium fish today, offering easy breeding and an array of vibrant colors that makes them a welcome addition to any home aquarium. To provide them with optimal care, however, it's essential that you understand their various varieties as they differ significantly between them all.
Genetics and Breeding
Guppies have an extremely rapid reproductive rate, with females producing 50 fry (baby fish) per month on average. This rapid reproduction leads to many different varieties with intricate color patterns and markings; but in order to create specific color strains you should breed two fish that already exhibit those desired traits together - this will guarantee all the fry produced will possess those traits as well.
Notable Fact: Guppy colors and patterns depend on both dominant and recessive genes interacting, like in the case of the mutt dog. Furthermore, patterns or colors may appear differently between males and females.
Guppies can be easily identified by their dorsal fin, which often trails or flows behind them when swimming. Male guppies also possess an additional feature called the gonopodium on their anal fin near their tail - this modified fin has narrower and pointier finlets compared to its fan-shaped anal counterpart of females; male guppies additionally boast darker spots on their caudal fin, which extends away from their body.
