Male Moscow Red Guppy 3.5cm

Male Moscow Red 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 Red Guppies stand out as a particularly striking strain, admired for its deep, velvety red hues that extend from the head all the way to the tip of the tail, creating a full-bodied flush of colour that's impossible to miss.

This strain is selectively bred to enhance the intensity and uniformity of its crimson tones, with some individuals showing hints of iridescent orange or deeper maroon depending on lighting and genetics. The body is sleek and streamlined, with a caudal fin that often fans out or tapers elegantly. As with other Moscow guppies, these males are extremely active swimmers and will constantly be on the move, displaying their colour in all areas of the aquarium.

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 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 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 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 your Male Moscow Guppy

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

The red 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 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 Male Moscow Red Guppy

The Moscow 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.