Guppy Poecilia reticulata

Male Guppies are slimmer and more colourful than females (female above centre left, with male centre right), with long flowing dorsal and tail fins. Males grow 2-3cm long and females 3-6cm.

The Guppy is native to freshwater of the Caribbean, particularly Trinidad and Venezuela, but has been introduced to most tropical and subtropical areas as an attempt to control mosquito larvae. Its natural diet is zooplankton, algae and insect larvae; however it has generally had a bad impact on native fish in those areas where it has been introduced.

Females are "live bearers" - they give birth to live, independent young rather than laying eggs.

In captivity, different breeds with various male colour and tail-shape variations are bred.