Though guppies are thought to be the easiest fish to keep, large show guppies had become one of the most
    challenging fish you could keep in the hobby. The exaggerated finnage and many generations of careful, protective,
    clean environments led to fish that required bare bottom tanks, no plants and the routine addition of salt to do their
    best. When a pair was given to a fellow aquarist, who then put them in a standard planted tank with gravel, the fish
    often did not last very long.

    These purple deltas offered were begun with top quality show stock that was purchased by another hobbyist from the
    original breeders a few years ago. Over time, an effort to produce a beautiful, hardy blue delta evolved into the line
    offered at this site.

    Due to fin nipping, as is the case with any long-finned species, they should be kept in a species only tank, or with
    tankmates that you know will not bother them. With their long finnage, they move unnaturally in a movement
    other fish often interpret as their being wounded or otherwise vulnerable, as well as carrying finnage that is too
    tempting for many fish to pass up.

    They require moderate to strong aeration in a tank that is well filtered with some water movement. They also do best
    in smaller sized tanks. Many breeders routinely keep them in 2.5 and 5 gallon tanks. Here, they are all kept in 10 gallon
    tanks. A simple 5 gallon tank with a box filter, light and heater is adequate.

    All guppies benefit from live or frozen shrimp, but these fish especially need the advantage that brine shrimp provides.
    Full, beautiful tails require a strong body that dry food alone generally does not provide.

    Females are removed to have their fry into another tank filled with 1-2 week old fry, then remove her as soon as she
    drops, or allowed to drop into a tank of her own with Java moss. Feed fry BBS (baby brine shrimp) every day for at least
    the first week for best results, making sure to keep up the water quality. Change water in the fry tank often. Most will
    separate sexes when a gonopodium or gravid spot can first be seen at about 3-4 weeks, and the sexes are then raised
    separetely. At 3-4 mos., breeders are then chosen for the next generation based on traits you are looking for.
    Fry tank should be warmer than the adult tank, at around 78-80 degrees.

     See other Care Guides Here