A platinum red tail guppy is a popular variety of guppy that is known for its striking coloration and large pectoral fins. The males have a platinum-colored body with a bright red tail, and the females are typically silver or gray with a red tail. The pectoral fins on both males and females are large and fan-shaped, resembling the ears of a dumbo elephant.
Red Platinum red tail guppies are relatively easy to care for and are a good choice for both beginner and experienced aquarists. They are peaceful fish that can be kept with other small, non-aggressive fish. They are also relatively hardy and can tolerate a wide range of water conditions.
Origin
The Red platinum red tail guppy is a selectively bred variety of guppy, which is native to northern South America. The exact origin of the platinum redtail guppy is unknown, but it is thought to have been developed in the early 2000s by hobbyist breeders.
Selective breeding involves mating guppies with specific desirable traits, such as platinum coloration and large pectoral fins. Over time, generations of selective breeding can produce new varieties of guppies with unique and desirable characteristics.
Size and Appearance:
Platinum red tail guppies are relatively small fish, typically reaching a size of 1.5 to 2 inches (3.8 to 5 cm) in length. The males are slightly larger than the females.
Platinum red tail guppies have a slender, torpedo-shaped body with a forked tail. The males have a platinum-colored body with a bright red tail. The females are typically silver or gray with a red tail. Both males and females have large, fan-shaped pectoral fins.
Platinum red tail guppies are known for their iridescence, which is a shimmering effect that is caused by the reflection of light from the scales. When viewed in sunlight or under bright aquarium lighting, platinum red tail guppies can appear to have a rainbow of colors on their bodies.
Care Guide
Tank Setup
To set up a tank for platinum red tail guppies, you will need the following:
- A tank that is at least 10 gallons in size. A larger tank is always better, as it will give the fish more space to swim and reduce the risk of overcrowding.
- A filter. The filter should be able to filter at least four times the volume of water in your tank per hour.
- A heater. The water temperature in the tank should be maintained between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
- A thermometer. Use a thermometer to monitor the water temperature in the tank and make sure that it stays within the desired range.
- A substrate. The substrate is the material that covers the bottom of the tank. A good substrate for platinum red tail guppies is gravel or sand.
- Live plants. Live plants will help to keep the water quality good and provide the fish with hiding places. Some good live plants for platinum red tail guppies include java fern, hornwort, and Amazon sword.
- Decorations. You can add decorations to your tank to make it more visually appealing and to provide the fish with hiding places. Some good decorations for platinum red tail guppies include rocks, driftwood, and artificial plants.
Once you have gathered all of the necessary supplies, you can start to set up your tank.
How to set up the tank:
- Rinse the tank and substrate thoroughly to remove any dust or debris.
- Add the substrate to the tank.
- Add the live plants to the tank.
- Add the decorations to the tank.
- Fill the tank with water.
- Add the filter and heater to the tank.
- Set the temperature on the heater to 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Let the tank cycle for at least two weeks before adding any fish.
During the cycling process, beneficial bacteria will colonize the tank and establish a nitrogen cycle. This is essential for keeping the water quality good and preventing the fish from becoming sick.
Once the tank has cycled, you can add your platinum red tail guppies to the tank. Start by adding a few fish at a time and monitor them closely for any signs of stress. If the fish are doing well, you can add more fish to the tank.
Here are some additional tips for setting up a tank for platinum red tail guppies:
- Make sure that the tank is placed in a level spot.
- Keep the tank out of direct sunlight.
- Do not overcrowd the tank.
- Perform regular water changes.
- Clean the tank and decorations regularly to remove algae and debris.
- Test the water regularly to make sure that the parameters are correct.
The water temperature in the tank should be maintained between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. The pH of the water should be between 6.8 and 7.5.
Feeding
Platinum red tail guppies are omnivores and will eat a variety of foods, including flake food, live food, and frozen food. It is important to feed your guppies a variety of foods to ensure that they are getting the nutrients they need.
Some good foods to feed your platinum red tail guppies include:
- Flake food
- Brine shrimp
- Daphnia
- Bloodworms
- Microworms
- Frozen plankton
- Algae
It is important to feed your guppies only as much food as they can eat in a few minutes. Overfeeding can lead to water quality problems and health problems for the fish.
Diseases
Platinum red tail guppies are susceptible to a number of diseases, including:
- Ich
- Fin rot
- Dropsy
- Velvet disease
It is important to monitor your fish closely for any signs of disease and to treat any diseases promptly.
Tank Mates
Platinum red tail guppies are peaceful fish and can be kept with other small, non-aggressive fish. Some good tank mates for platinum red tail guppies include:
- Neon tetras
- Guppies
- Rummy-nose tetras
- Zebra danios
- Harlequin rasboras
- Platys
- Mollies
It is important to avoid keeping platinum red tail guppies with larger, more aggressive fish, as these fish may eat the guppies.
Other Care Tips
- Perform regular water changes to maintain good water quality.
- Clean the tank and decorations regularly to remove algae and debris.
- Test the water regularly to make sure that the parameters are correct.
By following these care tips, you can help your platinum red tail guppies live long and healthy lives.
Breeding
Platinum red tail guppies are relatively easy to breed in captivity. To breed platinum red tail guppies, you will need a separate breeding tank. The breeding tank should be at least 10 gallons in size and should be well-planted with live plants. The water temperature in the breeding tank should be maintained between 74 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once you have set up your breeding tank, you will need to select a pair of breeders. The breeders should be healthy and well-developed. The male should have bright coloration and large pectoral fins. The female should be plump and have a dark gravid spot on her abdomen.
Once you have selected a pair of breeders, place them in the breeding tank. The male will court the female by swimming around her and displaying his fins. If the female is receptive, she will allow the male to fertilize her eggs.
The female will carry the fertilized eggs in her body for about 28 days. Once the eggs are ready to hatch, the female will give birth to live fry. The fry will be very small and will need to be fed infusoria or microworms for the first few weeks.
Once the fry are large enough to eat flake food, you can start to feed them a regular diet. The fry will grow quickly and will reach sexual maturity in about 4 months.
Here are some additional tips for breeding platinum red tail guppies:
- Keep the water quality in the breeding tank high.
- Feed the breeders a high-quality diet.
- Remove the male from the breeding tank after the female has given birth.
- Feed the fry a nutritious diet and monitor them closely for any signs of disease.
By following these tips, you can successfully breed platinum red tail guppies and produce beautiful and healthy offspring.
Where to buy and average price
You can buy platinum red tail guppies from a variety of sources, including:
- Local fish stores
- Online fish retailers such as elysian flora
- Aquarium clubs and societies
- Hobbyist breeders
The average price of a platinum red tail guppy varies depending on the source and the quality of the fish. However, you can expect to pay between $5 and $20 per fish.
Here are some tips for buying platinum red tail guppies:
- Buy from a reputable source.
- Inspect the fish carefully before you buy them. Make sure that the fish are healthy and have no signs of disease.
- Ask the seller about the fish’s diet and care requirements.
Once you have purchased your platinum red tail guppies, be sure to quarantine them for two weeks before adding them to your main aquarium. This will help to prevent the spread of any diseases to your other fish.
