Swamp Guppy

Micropoecilia picta

Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Poeciliidae

📍 Trinidad & Guiana, South America

Striking livebearer with vivid red, black, and yellow patterning on males. More delicate than standard guppies and prefers brackish to soft freshwater conditions.

Size1.5"

Min Tank10g

School3+

peaceful

Zonetop

Care Guide

Diet

Swamp Guppies are omnivores requiring a varied diet of high-quality flake foods, micro pellets, and small frozen foods like brine shrimp and daphnia once daily. Supplement with vegetable matter such as blanched spinach or algae-based foods weekly to support their delicate constitution and vibrant coloration.

Behavior

These peaceful, top-dwelling fish are active swimmers that display elaborate courtship behaviors, with males showing off their striking red, black, and yellow patterns. They are less hardy and more skittish than standard guppies, preferring calm environments with minimal aggressive tankmates and plenty of vegetation for security.

Breeding

Breeding in captivity is moderately difficult and requires soft, slightly acidic water (pH 6.5-7.0) with temperatures around 26-27°C. Females are livebearers producing small broods; fry are delicate and require infusoria or liquid fry food initially. Success rates improve with dedicated breeding tanks and careful water quality management.

Tank Mates

Endler's Livebearer

Similar size, water requirements, and peaceful temperament; compatible breeding group potential

excellent

Otocinclus

Algae-eating bottom dweller that won't compete for food or harass delicate guppies

excellent

Ember Tetra

Small, peaceful schooling fish with similar water temperature and pH preferences

good

Red Cherry Shrimp

Peaceful invertebrate that shares soft water preferences; minimal predation risk with adult guppies

good

Dwarf Hairgrass

Foreground plant providing shelter and security for nervous fish without competing for space

excellent

Anubias Nana

Low-light plant offering hiding spots and security without requiring high maintenance

excellent

Common Diseases

Fin Rot

Symptoms

Frayed, disintegrating fins; white or dark edges on fin tissue; lethargy

Treatment

Perform 25% water changes every 2-3 days, improve water quality, add aquarium salt (1 tsp per 5 gallons), and consider antibacterial medication if severe

Ich (White Spot Disease)

Symptoms

White spots on body and fins, excessive scratching against objects, rapid breathing

Treatment

Raise temperature gradually to 28-29°C, perform daily water changes, use ich medication following label directions, and ensure good aeration

Velvet Disease

Symptoms

Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, clamped fins, loss of appetite, rapid gill movement

Treatment

Dim lighting, raise temperature to 28°C, perform daily 25% water changes, and use copper-based or formalin treatments as directed

Bacterial Infection

Symptoms

Open sores, cloudy eyes, swollen belly, torn fins, lethargy

Treatment

Improve water quality with frequent changes, quarantine affected fish, use broad-spectrum antibacterial medication, and ensure optimal temperature and pH