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Lyretail Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii
Variety of Guppy · lyretail
📍 South America
The Lyretail Guppy has a distinctive tail with elongated upper and lower lobes that curve outward, resembling a lyre. The striking fin shape is paired with vivid body and tail coloration typical of fancy guppy strains.
Care Guide
Diet
Lyretail Guppies are omnivorous and should be fed high-quality flake foods, micro pellets, and small frozen foods like brine shrimp or daphnia once daily in small portions. Supplement with vegetable matter such as blanched spinach or algae-based foods weekly to support coloration and overall health. Avoid overfeeding, as excess food degrades water quality quickly in their tanks.
Behavior
Lyretail Guppies are peaceful, active swimmers that spend most of their time in the mid-water column exploring and foraging. Males display elaborate courtship behaviors, fanning their distinctive lyre-shaped tails to attract females; they are generally non-aggressive but may chase females persistently during breeding season. These social fish thrive in groups and are curious about their environment, making them engaging to observe.
Breeding
Lyretail Guppies breed readily in captivity and are livebearers, requiring no special breeding setup—they will reproduce in community tanks if conditions are stable. Females produce 20-30 fry every 4-6 weeks; provide dense plants like Java Moss or Rotala for fry to hide and increase survival rates. Breeding is easy but population control is necessary, as they reproduce prolifically without intervention.
Tank Mates
Same family, compatible water parameters, and peaceful temperament; may interbreed if housed together
Similar size, peaceful nature, and identical water temperature and pH requirements
Peaceful algae eaters that occupy different tank zones; large enough not to be preyed upon by guppies
Non-aggressive scavenger that helps control algae and decaying matter without competing with guppies
Peaceful but territorial; requires careful monitoring to ensure guppies aren't harassed during breeding season
Common Diseases
Fin Rot
Fraying, discoloration, or deterioration of tail and fin edges; often appears white or black at fin margins
Perform 25% water changes every 2-3 days, improve water quality, and treat with aquarium salt (1 teaspoon per gallon) or antibacterial medication if severe
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots resembling salt grains on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, and rubbing against objects
Raise water temperature gradually to 28-29°C, perform daily water changes, and treat with ich medication or aquarium salt for 7-10 days
Velvet Disease (Oodinium)
Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, clamped fins, rapid gill movement, and loss of appetite
Increase aeration, raise temperature to 28°C, reduce lighting, and treat with copper-based medication or methylene blue following product instructions
Dropsy
Swollen belly, protruding scales, lethargy, and loss of appetite; often indicates organ failure
Isolate affected fish, perform frequent water changes, improve water quality, and treat with antibiotics; prognosis is often poor
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