Male Green Cobra Guppy 3.5cm

Male Green Cobra Guppy

The cobra green guppy has got to be one of the most popular guppy strains in the aquarium hobby, they are also often one of the first guppies that aquarists keep. The allure of their colours, flashy fins, and active behaviour make them such stunning fish for any community aquarium. Cobra guppies will also make for a fantastic breeding project as there is plenty of room to develop the colours and fins.

Green cobra guppies are often called snakeskin guppies because of their snake-like patterning that runs all through the body and tail. This patterning carries varying shades of green, yellow, purple, and white which make it an incredibly contrasting fish. This scribbled patterning does transition into leopard-like spots on the tail which adds an additional layer of contrast. These guppies will look great in almost any aquarium setting whether it's a hardscape-only aquarium or a planted community tank. 

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 green around the fins and body compared to males along with smaller fins however will get larger in size. The wild habitat of the natural guppy is widespread from South America to Mexico.

Tank Recommendations for Green Cobra Guppy

Being a very small and easy to care for fish a trio of these green 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 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 green 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 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 guppy 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. 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 patterning and green are maintained however there is a lot of room to experiment and hybridize to create new and better colour strains! 

Suitable Tank Buddies

The green cobra 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 betta's end. 

Rarely Compatible

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

Feeding your Male Green Cobra Guppy

The green 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 behaviour. Giving them nutritional food with good protein and varied ingredients can result in the mild colours being slightly more enhanced.