Assorted Male Moscow Guppy 3.5cm

Assorted Male Moscow Guppy

Guppies have earned their reputation as one of the most iconic and beginner-friendly fish in the aquarium world and rightfully so. With their vibrant colours, manageable size, and ease of care, they've become a staple in aquariums worldwide. Among the many guppy strains available, Moscow guppies are known for their rich, often metallic body colours and graceful tail fin shapes. The "assorted" aspect means hobbyists receive a delightful mix of colours, typically including deep blues, purples, greens, blacks, and even silvers.

What makes Moscow guppies so striking is the way their colour often continues from head to tail, creating a full-bodied, velvet-like sheen. Their sleek bodies are paired with large caudal fins that may be delta-shaped or fan-like, making them eye-catching with every flick of movement. They're incredibly active swimmers and can often be seen interacting with each other, flaring their fins, and exploring their surroundings.

Guppies are also livebearers, meaning they give birth to free-swimming fry rather than laying eggs. While the Moscow guppy strain is more selectively bred for colour and pattern, they still retain their natural hardiness and prolific breeding nature. The wild habitat of the natural guppy is widespread from South America to Mexico.

Tank Recommendations for your Assorted Male Moscow Guppy

Being a very small and easy to care for fish, a trio of these Moscow guppies can be kept in nano aquariums with the minimum being a 37 litre aquarium. A sand or gravel substrate would be fine for these fish as well, a lot of plant growth will also make these fish contrast really well but also makes for handy locations where guppy fry can grow. Guppies, however, are in fact considered to be a 'hard water' fish, meaning they prefer the water to have an elevated PH and are not like a tetra. This higher PH of 7 - 8 can be achieved with a PH buffer or African cichlid lake conditioning salts.

Breeding
Breeding Moscow guppies or any other guppy, for that matter, is super easy and very different from any other aquarium fish. Where a vast majority of aquarium fish lay eggs, guppies actually give birth to live young just like mammals. If you are looking to breed guppies, it is recommended that there is a ratio of one male to around 3 or more females to make sure that females do not constantly get stressed by the males attempting to breed.

When gravid, the female will develop a dark black 'egg spot' near her ventral fin, which is in fact the developing fry. She will then release these in a safe location in the aquarium, which is why it is recommended to have a lot of plant cover in the aquarium. Guppies may also eat any fry they find in the aquarium, so aquarists often have a 'grow-out aquarium; however, this is not necessary.

Suitable Tank Buddies for your Assorted Male Moscow Guppy

The male Moscow guppy is a very peaceful aquarium fish, and males are no different in aggression when compared with females. They are great with a wide range of nano aquarium fish however because of their flowing fins, certain fin-nipping species would be avoided. The other factor is that guppies are a fish that needs a higher PH, so keeping them with South American tetras may not be very suitable as these lower PH.

Usually Compatible

Pseudomogil species such as fork-tail rainbows, blue eyes, rice-fish and nano aquarium fish which can tolerate hard water conditions.

Sometimes Compatible

Medium growing or possibly fin-nipping species. Bettas should also be avoided because of their similar flashy nature to guppies which could lead to aggression from the bettas end.

Rarely Compatible

Large and aggressive species that would prey on the guppies, such as oscars, or jaguar cichlids.

Feeding your Assorted Male Moscow Guppy

The Moscow guppy is very easy to feed once it is settled into the aquarium. It will readily eat a wide range of guppy foods but would prefer to have a high-floating nano pellet or flake due to its top-dwelling behaviour. Giving them a nutritional food with good protein and varied ingredients can result in the mild colours being slightly more enhanced.