Guppy male dragon tuxedo - Poecilia reticulata

The males of the Dragon Tuxedo Guppies are a wonderful and downright bright color form that creates a look in the aquarium. The wild form of the Poecilia reticulata originates from South America - with its many color variations it is virtually one of the most famous aquarium fishes at all. It looks back on a long tradition and is usually one of the first fish kept by aquarists in the aquarium. Especially among enthusiasts the Guppy is very popular. Especially its high reproduction rate has given it the nickname "million fish". Therefore you get here a pure male group to prevent uncontrolled reproduction. Of course you also get Guppy females in the store, if you want to breed the pretty animals.

The pure male group will not lose anything of their lively character, much more they will live longer and also healthier, because they do not have to invest their energy in the constant courtship for females. Therefore, they will also behave a bit more peacefully towards their fellow fish, as they will not have to fight a constant competition.

With its great intense orange-red fins the Dragon Tuxedo almost glows. The color of its body also gives it its name, because it has a black body with a light belly - Tuxedo means "suit". Depending on the incidence of light its upper back iridesces, because this is provided with great glittering speckles.

his new home should have at least54 liters. He is not very picky about the furnishing and the substrate, but especially a dense planting contributes very much to his well-being. Also roots and stones offer him a natural feel-good ambience, which he will gladly visit as a retreat or to take a breather. Nevertheless, the free swimming space of the Dragon Tuxedo Guppy should not be neglected, because now and then he likes to swim longer distances. In medium-hard water it can be maintained super and needs actually only then an additional heat source in the form of a heating rod, if the aquarium temperature sinks under 22 °C.

The colorfulness of the Dragon Tuxedo distinguishes mainly the males from the females. But also their gonopodium, a sexual appendage that is an anal fin converted to a mating organ, is conspicuous: in males it is pointed and extended, in females it is rounded. Nearly 20 live young are born to a female Guppy almost every 3 weeks. In older and very large females, up to 100 young are possible in some places. As so-called live-bearing toothcarps, the eggs develop in the mother's abdomen and are released alive. The females are able to fertilize themselves a few times after mating by the male, which is why even in an all-female group juveniles appear from time to time. The population density can be stopped somewhat by natural predators, but also by their own parents.

Since Endler Guppies and Poecilia reticulata can produce fertile hybrids, it is better not to keep these two species together. Guppies are however well suited for socializing with Carapace- and Loricariidsbut also other lively fish like Tetras, Platies and Mollies. Above all in a nice community aquarium the Dragon Tuxedo Guppies provide for good mood, which can be held even with well multiplying dwarf shrimps, like the Neocaridina. It is possible, however, that a juvenile may be eaten by it as a snack, which is why the aquarium should be well planted. As a bottom sleeper, socialization with dwarf or crayfish is rather not recommended, as these can seriously injure and even eat the Guppy.

As omnivores, the Dragon Tuxedo is not particularly picky and can be fed any commercially available flake food, granular food and other dry foods for omnivorous ornamental fish. Likewise, they also pluck at algae cover or growth and can therefore be fed with over-broiled vegetables such as Pumpkin, Peppers or cucumber. From time to time they are happy to receive a treat in meat form such as Artemia, Daphnia or Mosquito larvae.

Our food recommendation: The NatureHolic Main Feed is a professional staple feed for all aquarium fish. Main feed we supply in the form of soft granules, which thanks to its grain size of half a millimeter can be easily absorbed by small to medium-sized fish. The soft consistency resembles the texture of insect larvae in nature and protects the fish mouth from micro-injuries.

Our plant recommendation: For planting, use NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planaria and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.