Assorted Male Scissortail Guppy 3cm

Assorted Male Scissortail Guppy

The Assorted Male Scissortail Guppy is a vibrant, flashy livebearer that brings energy and movement to any aquarium. Known for their gracefully forked tail that mimics the appearance of a scissor in motion, these guppies are both elegant and active. Each fish in this assortment displays unique colour patterns, ranging from neon yellows and electric blues to bold reds and black streaks, making them a favourite for aquarists who love variety.

Scissortail guppies are just as easy to care for as their fancy cousins, but are often more streamlined and agile, with a subtle wild-type body shape and a tail that forks into a distinct "V". These males are typically smaller than females and are chosen for their rich colours and energetic behaviour. They're excellent for nano tanks, beginner setups, or guppy colonies that favour movement and style over exaggerated finnage.

Guppies are also livebearers, meaning they give birth to free-swimming fry rather than laying eggs. While the Scissortail guppy strain is more selectively bred for colour and pattern, they still retains 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 Scissortail Guppy

Being a very small and easy to care for fish, a trio of these Scissortail 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 it 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 Scissortail guppies or any other guppy, for that matter, is super easy and very different to 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 Scissortail Guppy

The male Scissortail 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 Scissortail Guppy

The Scissortail guppy is very easy to feed once it is settled into the aquarium. It will readily eat a wide range of 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.