Poecilia reticulata - Definition and Overview

For other uses of this word, see Guppy (disambiguation)

Guppy Conservation status: Secure
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Cyprinodontiformes Family: Poeciliidae Genus: Poecilia Species: reticulata
Binomial name
Poecilia reticulata

The guppy, alternatively guppie(Poecilia reticulata) is one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish species in the world. It is a small member of the Poecilidae family (females 3 centimetres long, males 2 centimetres long) and is therefore live-bearing. It prefers a hard water aquarium and can withstand a surprising degree of salinity. Its most famous characteristic is its propensity for breeding. A 2004 study published by the Universities of Leeds and Bath recorded observations of guppies living in complex networks, choosing social partners and remembering them.

The female guppy is drab brown to grey in colour. The much smaller male naturally has a colourful caudal fin (tailfin), which has been considerably enhanced in shape and colour by selective breeding.

Rev. JL Guppy discovered this tiny fish in Trinidad in 1866, although the fish was known to German aquarists prior to that time. The guppy escaped from captivity and lives in a feral condition in much of the warmer regions of the world. It has been introduced to some areas to keep down the mosquito population and fight malaria. The guppy can be found in its native habitat in small streams and ponds of virtually any size.

Guppy breeding by aquarists produce variations in appearance ranging from color consistency to fantails and "spike" swordtails. Selective breeding has created an avid "fancy guppy" collector group, while the "wild" guppy maintains its popularity as one of the hardiest aquarium fish.

This fish has been introduced to the Netherlands where it lives in the cooling water of the Corus Steelmill near IJmuiden. The result has been extraodinary; the fish thrive and have increased in size. Fishes of 12 cm are the norm.

Over time, many species are assigned a different taxonomic name. The guppy is no exception:

• Lebistes reticulatus
• Acanthocephalus guppii
• A. reticulatus
• Girardinus guppii
• G. petersi
• G. poeciloides
• G. reticulatus
• Haridichthys reticulatus
• Heterandria guppyi
• Lebistes poecilioides
• Poecilia poeciloides
• Poecilioides reticulatus.
• For now: Poecilia reticulata

References

• "Poecilia reticulata" (TSN 165903) (http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=165903). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. N.p.: Integrated Taxonomic Information System, 2004. Accessed on June 8 2004.
• "Poecilia reticulata (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?genusname=Poecilia&speciesname=reticulata)". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. April 2004 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2004.