{"product_id":"black-female-guppy-poecilia-reticulata","title":"Black Female Guppy | Poecilia reticulata","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Black Female Guppy brings the same hardy, cheerful charm as any guppy, dressed in a smoky dark body. Females are noticeably larger and fuller-bodied than males, reaching around 6cm, with shorter, simpler fins. Peaceful, forgiving and endlessly productive, they are one of the best first fish you can keep.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePoecilia reticulata originates from north-eastern South America and nearby islands, where it lives in warm, often hard and mineral-rich waters ranging from clear streams to weedy ditches. Extremely adaptable, it has since been introduced across much of the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA robust little livebearer with a dark, sooty body. Females grow to roughly 5-6cm, larger and rounder than males, with more modest finnage. Colour intensity varies from fish to fish, and gravid females show a dark spot near the vent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and sociable, ideal for a community of similarly gentle fish. Best kept in groups, and happy in the company of other small livebearers and peaceful tetras. Guppies are prolific, so mixing sexes will quickly produce fry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn easy-going omnivore. Offer good-quality flake or micro-pellets as a staple, supplemented with brine shrimp, daphnia and the occasional blanched vegetable or algae wafer. Small, frequent feeds keep them in the best colour and condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGuppies thrive in hard, neutral-to-alkaline water and appreciate gentle filtration and some planting. They tolerate a wide temperature range but do best around 24-26°C. Keep nitrates low with regular water changes; they are hardy but not indestructible, and stable, clean water keeps them disease-free.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the easiest of all fish to breed. Females are livebearers, dropping batches of free-swimming fry every few weeks once mated. Provide dense planting or a breeding trap if you wish to save fry from being eaten by the adults.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePoecilia reticulata\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack Female Guppy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouth America (introduced worldwide)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 6cm (females)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1-3 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (community)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22-28°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.0-8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10-30 dGH (hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner community and livebearer tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlaties, mollies, swordtails, peaceful tetras, rasboras, Corydoras and small peaceful loaches. Excellent in a mixed community of gentle, similarly sized fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFin-nippers such as some barbs, and large or aggressive fish that will bully or eat them. Avoid boisterous tankmates that outcompete these peaceful little fish at feeding time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232792133923,"sku":"BA8196","price":9.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232792166691,"sku":"BA8196-M","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/black-female-guppy-poecilia-43882738549027.webp?v=1790305822","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/black-female-guppy-poecilia-reticulata","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}