Guppy Blue Ivory
Poecilia reticulata
Description
The Guppy Blue Ivory is a visually stunning variety of guppy that features a delicate blend of ivory and blue colors. The body of the Guppy Blue Ivory is typically pale, almost ivory in color, with a subtle iridescent sheen that catches light beautifully. The tail and dorsal fins are often more vibrant, showcasing various shades of blue, ranging from light to deep blue. The overall effect is a soft, elegant, and eye-catching fish that adds a touch of grace and color to any aquarium.
Habitat Origin
Native to freshwater rivers, lakes, and streams in Central and South America, particularly in regions like Venezuela, Trinidad, and Guyana. The Guppy Blue Ivory is a selectively bred variety of the common guppy, developed to highlight its beautiful color pattern. In nature, guppies are found in calm, slow-moving waters with abundant vegetation, and this variety is well-suited for aquariums with similar conditions.
Aquarium
Ideal Number in Aquarium: Best kept in groups of at least 4-6 individuals to encourage natural schooling behavior and provide a sense of security.
Favorite Food
Guppy Blue Ivories are omnivores and will accept a variety of foods. They can be fed flake food, micro pellets, and live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, and grindal worms. They also enjoy vegetable-based foods like spirulina, blanched zucchini, lettuce, and spinach. A varied diet is essential for maintaining their health and vibrant coloration.
Behavior:
The Guppy Blue Ivory is a peaceful and active species, known for its lively swimming and social behavior. They thrive in groups and are often seen darting around the upper and middle regions of the tank. While they are generally peaceful, males may display some territorial behavior, particularly during breeding periods. As livebearers, females will give birth to fully formed young that swim away immediately.
Special Care:
While Guppy Blue Ivories are hardy and adaptable, they do best in stable water conditions. Regular water changes, good filtration, and a well-maintained tank are necessary to ensure their health. These guppies are livebearers, meaning they will breed in community tanks if both males and females are kept together. If breeding is not desired, it’s best to keep only males or separate the sexes.
Compatibility with Other Fish:
Guppy Blue Ivories are compatible with many peaceful fish species. They can be housed with other guppy varieties, tetras, rasboras, gouramis, and small catfish like Corydoras. They should be kept away from larger or more aggressive fish, such as bettas, cichlids, or goldfish, as these may bully or eat the guppies.
Breeding Tank Setup
A separate breeding tank for Guppy Blue Ivory is highly recommended, even if not mandatory. A 20–40 liter (5–10 gallon) tank provides sufficient space for breeding adults and developing fry while helping maintain controlled water conditions. Ideal parameters include a pH of 7.0–8.0, a temperature of 24–28°C, and a water hardness between 6–12 dGH. Use a gentle sponge filter to ensure clean, calm, and fry-safe water. Fine gravel or sand substrate combined with plants like Java moss, Anubias, and floating species such as frogbit offers excellent hiding spots and a natural breeding environment.
Conditioning for Breeding
Preparing Guppy Blue Ivory for breeding requires a protein-rich, varied diet to ensure the female produces healthy eggs and males are actively courting. Recommended foods include live or frozen brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms, along with high-quality guppy flakes or pellets. Weekly water changes of 20–30% are essential to maintain excellent water quality. Raising the temperature slightly to around 28°C can also help stimulate breeding activity.
Spawning Process
Spawning typically begins once the fish are healthy and the water is optimal. Males will court females by showing off their bright colors and chasing them. Being livebearers, the female fertilizes eggs internally and will give birth to live fry after a 4–6 week gestation period. A healthy female Guppy Blue Ivory can produce between 20 and 100 fry per event, depending on her condition. Although separation isn’t required post-birth, moving the female after delivery can improve fry survival by preventing predation.
Fry Care & Feeding
Guppy Blue Ivory fry are born fully formed and immediately free-swimming. They should be fed with infusoria, liquid fry food, or finely crushed flakes right after birth. After a week, newly hatched brine shrimp or powdered guppy pellets can be introduced. Maintain water quality with 10–15% water changes every 2–3 days. Stable temperature, low flow, and ample plant cover or moss ensure reduced stress and proper development of the fry.
Additional Notes on Breeding
These guppies reach breeding maturity around 3–4 months old. Males are more colorful and slender, with a gonopodium, while females are larger and rounder, especially when pregnant. To reduce stress and increase breeding success, avoid overcrowding, maintain consistent water parameters, and eliminate aggressive tankmates. A peaceful, stable environment is key for successful breeding and healthy fry growth.