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Dumbo Ear Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii
Variety of Guppy · dumbo ear
📍 South America
The Dumbo Ear Guppy (also called Big Ear or Elephant Ear) has dramatically enlarged pectoral fins that fan out like elephant ears. These large pectoral fins are in addition to the colorful tail and are a distinctive trait requiring peaceful tankmates.
Care Guide
Diet
Dumbo Ear Guppies are omnivorous and should be fed high-quality flake food, micro pellets, and small frozen foods like brine shrimp or daphnia once daily in small portions. Supplement with blanched vegetables like spinach or zucchini occasionally to support overall health and coloration.
Behavior
These guppies are peaceful, active swimmers that spend most of their time in the mid-water column displaying their distinctive enlarged pectoral fins. Males are more colorful and active than females, and they exhibit typical guppy social behavior with minimal aggression, though males may chase females during breeding season.
Breeding
Dumbo Ear Guppies breed readily in captivity as livebearers, with females producing 20-30 fry every 4-6 weeks once mature. Provide dense vegetation for fry to hide and survive, as adults will eat their own young; separate fry to a nursery tank for best survival rates.
Tank Mates
Peaceful algae eaters that occupy bottom zone and won't compete with or harm guppies
Similar size and peaceful temperament; occupy different water zones and have identical water requirements
Gentle bottom-dwellers that clean substrate without threatening guppies or their fry
Peaceful invertebrates that help control algae and won't harm adult guppies
Very similar species with identical care needs; can interbreed so separate by sex if avoiding hybrids
Generally safe with adults but fry may be predated upon; provide dense vegetation for protection
Common Diseases
Fin Rot
Frayed, discolored, or deteriorating fins; may appear white or black at edges
Perform 25% water changes every 2-3 days, improve water quality, and treat with aquarium salt or antibacterial medication if severe
Ich (White Spot Disease)
Small white spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against objects
Raise water temperature gradually to 28-29°C, perform daily water changes, and use ich medication or salt treatment as directed
Velvet Disease
Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, clamped fins, rapid breathing, loss of appetite
Increase aeration, perform water changes, reduce light exposure, and treat with copper-based medication or salt
Dropsy
Swollen belly, protruding scales, lethargy, loss of appetite
Isolate affected fish, improve water quality with frequent changes, provide high-quality food, and consider antibacterial treatment
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