Male Turquoise Lyretail 3.5cm

Male Turquoise Lyretail

The Male Turquoise Lyretail Guppy is a brilliant livebearer that effortlessly brings flair and elegance to any freshwater setup. Known for its radiant blue tones and distinct lyre-shaped tail, this guppy variety is an absolute gem in both nano tanks and community aquariums.

Turquoise Lyretail Guppies are known for their eye-catching iridescent blue to teal bodies, with some individuals displaying hints of silver or green depending on lighting. Their namesake tail is delicately forked with extended tips that trail behind them like ribbons as they swim. This unique fin structure is a hallmark of the lyretail trait and gives them an elegant, floating appearance. Males are generally more vivid than females, sporting rich colour saturation and a streamlined body perfect for active display. These guppies prefer the mid to upper regions of the aquarium, and their shimmering, electric-blue scales light up especially well under bright or natural lighting.

Guppies are also livebearers, meaning they give birth to free-swimming fry rather than laying eggs. While the turquoise lyretail 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 Turquoise Lyretail Guppy

Being a very small and easy to care for fish, a trio of these turquoise lyretail 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 turquoise lyretail guppies or any other guppy, in 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 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 male turquoise lyretail 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 Turquoise Lyretail Guppy

The turquoise lyretail 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.