Guppy
(Poecilia reticulata)

Classification

Species: Poecilia reticulata
Genus: Poecilia

General data

Scientific names: Guppy
Habitat: Freshwater
Climates: Tropical, Subtropical
Distribution: Balsas River, Danube, Rhine

The guppy (Poecilia reticulata), also known as millionfish or the rainbow fish, is one of the worlds most widely distributed tropical fish and one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish species.

It is a member of the family Poeciliidae and, like almost all American members of the family, is live-bearing.

Guppies originate from northeast South America but have been introduced to many environments and are now found all over the world.

They are highly adaptable and thrive in many different environmental and ecological conditions. Male guppies, which are smaller than females, have ornamental caudal and dorsal fins. Wild guppies generally feed on a variety of food sources, including benthic algae and aquatic insect larvae. Guppies are used as model organisms in the fields of ecology, evolution, and behavioral studies.