The Lebiste , Guppy Fish or Barrigudinho is a very popular fish among ornamentals and much loved by aquarists. Its fame has a reason, of course. In addition to the bright colors, the males have a long tail that flutters all the time, giving a very cheerful movement to any aquarium.
Originally from Central and South America, the Guppy was introduced into numerous Pak rivers and lakes with the aim of combating the dengue mosquito . As it is omnivorous, this was an alternative used in the 1930s to prevent mosquito reproduction. Today, the Lebiste is easily found in lakes and ponds around here and also in pet stores. Even if the wild guppy is a little different from the fish bred in captivity, the morphological characteristics of the species are the same.
For those who are starting in aquarism , this nice little fish with an exuberant tail is a great option. However, like any species, it requires proper care and daily handling. To learn more about the guppy and how to care for your aquarium , check out our Complete Guide!
Contents
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Environment : fresh water
- Scientific name : Poecilia reticulata
- Names : Lebiste, Guppy or Barrigudinho
- Life expectancy : 2 years
- Size : 5 to 7 cm
WHERE DOES LEBISTE LIVE?
The guppy is a fish that coexists well in tropical and subtropical waters, with an average temperature between 23°C to 26°C and a more alkaline pH. Today it is easily found in ponds, streams, rivers and lakes in many countries with a warmer climate. Despite being small, the Lebiste is resistant and has a high reproduction capacity.
These fish live in river environments, with plants, logs and small stones at the bottom. This environment can be easily reproduced in an aquarium, either with natural or artificial plants and other elements for decoration.
HOW TO TELL A MALE GUPPY APART FROM A FEMALE?
The Lebiste , as we mentioned, is very beautiful and eye-catching. Males are much smaller than females, but more colorful and have a long, veil-like tail. Although males are preferred by aquarists, females are the ones who gave the name “Barrigudinho” to this fish. The guppy is a species whose eggs are in the mother’s belly during pregnancy and, therefore, she has a belly during this period. This fish is known for its high reproduction capacity, so if you don’t intend to have a brood of minnows in your tank, make sure to only include males.
If you decide to have females in your tank, don’t include just one. This is because the dispute over her can lead to disagreements between the males and fights in the aquarium. The ideal is to have at least one male for every three females.
HOW IS THE LEBISTE’S BEHAVIOR?
Guppies are small, quiet fish. However, they should not be placed in tanks with other fish that are much larger and/or more territorial. The ideal company for a guppy is other fish from the poecilidae family, such as Plati, Espada and Molinésia, among others.
To have fish of different species, however, the ideal is to always have a large aquarium . So, if you’re just starting out or don’t want to invest a lot, bet on a guppy-only aquarium .
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF A LEBISTE?
It is relatively easy to take care of the guppy. However, it is essential to pay attention to monitoring the aquarium, as these little fish do not tolerate sudden changes in temperature and pH. As they reproduce very easily and fry (hatchlings) usually release some hormones into the water, it is essential to carry out a partial water change (TPA) at least once a week.
WHAT DOES A GUPPY EAT?
The guppy is an omnivore fish, that is, it eats both plants and algae, as well as small microorganisms. This little fish lives well with flake and powder feed, however, it is worth investing in live food at least once a week. Remember that the more varied the diet, the better for your fish.
AQUARIUM CONDITIONS
For those who intend to have a Guppy in their aquarium, it is important to guarantee some conditions for their fish to live healthy. Are they:
- Aquarium with at least 50 liters
- Filtration system can be simple, but it is advisable to also have a bacteria filter
- Temperature between 23º to 26º maximum. Because it is a small fish, temperatures above 26° are not advisable.
- alkaline water pH (between 7.0 and 7.8)
- medium to hard water
- Despite being hardy, the Guppy is sensitive to instability in water quality, so be sure to monitor the aquarium.
- Perform a weekly partial water change
- Presence of plants and hiding places, if you want reproduction.
The Lebiste is a very charming little fish and ideal for beginners. Many aquarists are fans of this species, due to the color and movement they bring to the environment. For those who are setting up their first aquarium, it is worth including some Guppies to start.
