Male Black Cobra Cheek Guppy 3.5cm

Male Black Cobra Cheek Guppy

Whilst almost 99% of guppies sport then incredibly vibrant, saturated colours, it can be hard to find a strain that is darker and subdued. The black cobra guppy is a perfect strain for this since it has a dark colour tone with highlights of gold and contrasting patterns. This guppy strain in particular will look great in high, packed numbers almost resembling a black cloud but will also look stunning in a smaller group in a large planted aquarium. The contrast these fish will provide in their environment will be especially great. 

Black cobra guppies are developed by breeding a standard black guppy with a cobra guppy, this results in a jet-black fish with highlights of yellow, green, and gold all in a scribbled pattering that looks great. By developing the line, you can define the location of these scribbles along with their intensity which is why these fish would be great for a guppy breeder. These guppies also have much smaller fins compared to the more flashier cobra types which just adds another level of difference to these fish. 

Guppies are one of the easiest fish in the aquarium hobby to breed which is why they are such a popular species. These are livebearers which means the females will give birth to fully formed fry instead of eggs. Females tend to have less black around the face and body compared to males along with smaller fins however will get larger. The wild habitat of the natural guppy is widespread from South America to Mexico.

Tank Recommendations for your Male Black Cheek Cobra Guppy

Being a very small and easy to care for fish a trio of these black cobra 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 well but also makes for handy locations where guppy fry can grow. Guppies however are considered to be 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 black cobra guppies or any other guppy for that fact is super easy and very different from any other aquarium fish. Where a vast majority of aquarium fish lay eggs, guppies 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 guy will develop a dark black ‘egg spot’ near her ventral fin which is 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. With these guppies specifically it is recommended to line breed or regulate the offspring produced as it will ensure that the genetic traits of the pastel colours are maintained however there is a lot of room to experiment and hybridize to create new and better colour strains! 

Suitable Tank Buddies

The male black cobra cheek 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 bright and flashy fins, certain fin-nipping species would be avoided. The other factor is that guppies are fish that needs 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 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 would prey on the guppies such as Oscars, or jaguar cichlids.

Feeding your Male Black Cobra Cheek Guppy

The black cobra 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 high a floating nano pellet or flake due to its top-dwelling behavior. Giving them nutritional food with good protein and varied ingredients can result in the mild colours being slightly more enhanced.