Guppy Prices in 2019-2020, Breeding Tips, and Signs Before Giving Birth to Fry
The guppy, scientifically named Poecilia reticulata, commonly known as the rainbow fish, has brilliant and colorful body colors and a graceful body shape. It gets its name because the patterns on its tail fin and around its belly resemble the colors of a peacock's tail feathers. As a tropical fish with brilliant colors, the guppy has always been quite popular. So how much does a guppy cost in 2019-2020? What are its breeding tips? What are the signs before giving birth to fry?
I. How much does a guppy cost in 2019-2020
Currently, the market price of guppies is relatively cheap. For varieties of average quality, the price is about 2-4 yuan each, while varieties of better quality are more expensive, ranging from 20-40 yuan each. If the guppy variety is truly high-quality or top-grade, the price will only be higher, possibly over a hundred yuan each.
II. Guppy Breeding Tips
1. Feed: Guppies eat zooplankton, small insects and debris. They mainly eat insects, including Ceratopogonidae insects, chironomids, house mosquitoes, Diptera, Homoptera and Hemiptera insects.
2. Heat preservation: When guppies overwinter, a heating rod must be prepared. If the air conditioning is on in summer, it should also be used, otherwise excessive temperature changes can easily lead to illness. This is because even a 0.5 degree change in water temperature can make guppies feel uncomfortable. When using a heating rod, be careful and read its instructions carefully. You must unplug the power before taking it out of the water.
3. Feeding: It is best to feed an amount that can be eaten within 3 minutes each time, as excess feed can easily pollute the water quality. For adult fish, feeding once in the morning and once in the evening is best, while for fry, it is best to feed small amounts more frequently.
4. Water changes: The frequency of water changes is basically once a week, changing 1/3-1/2 of the water each time. 1-2 days before the water change, first put tap water into another container and let it sit for 1-2 days. When changing the water, first use a thermometer to measure the temperature in the fish tank, then boil a kettle of water, add the boiled water to the aged tap water, and slowly adjust it to the temperature in the fish tank before changing the water.
III. Signs Before Guppies Give Birth to Fry
When guppies reach the stage just before giving birth, they will show very obvious signs.
1. Body shape: The belly of the female guppy will appear slightly smooth and box-shaped.
2. Gravid spot: The gravid spot of ordinary guppies is black, while the gravid spot of albino guppies is orange-red. When about to give birth, the color of the gravid spot becomes darker.
3. Anus: When about to give birth, the anus of the guppy will be noticeably protruding outward.
4. Behavior: Female fish that are about to give birth or are in the process of giving birth mostly show one of two states; some will dart up and down, while others will quietly hide in a corner.
Guppies have an extremely strong ability to adapt to the environment and are gentle in temperament, so they can be kept together with other tropical fish, which is why their price is relatively cheap. However, their average lifespan is only about one year, so after being kept for a year, if a guppy dies, it is basically a case of natural death from old age.