Guppies (Poecilia reticulata) are small livebearers with endless colour varieties and outgoing personalities. They stay 3–6 cm, handle most stable tap water, and breed readily — perfect for Australian homes wanting movement and colour without complicated gear.
Why people love guppies
- Friendly and curious: they investigate everything and learn feeding routines fast.
- Beginner-ready: stable, dechlorinated tap water suits them; no extreme parameters needed.
- Genetic variety: tails, patterns, and metallic scaling keep the hobby interesting.
- Livebearers: they give birth to free-swimming fry, so breeding is straightforward.
How guppies look
- Fins: short, balanced fins swim easier than oversized veils.
- Body shape: a strong back and even body line signals good health.
- Colour and scaling: clean metallic “dragon” scaling contrasts nicely with solid tails.
Are guppies good for Australia?
Most Australian tap water is neutral to alkaline with moderate hardness — exactly what guppies enjoy. At guppie.au we breed and hold stock in those conditions so they settle quickly in local tanks.
Starter checklist
- 20–40 L tank with lid, seasoned filter, and heater set to 24–26°C.
- Dechlorinated tap water; keep ammonia and nitrite at 0, nitrates < 30 ppm.
- Quality staple food plus frozen daphnia/bloodworms 2–3 times weekly.
- Weekly 20–30% water change with temperature-matched, conditioned water.
Want help choosing a line? Contact us with your tank size and tap water reading — we’ll pair you with guppies that thrive in your setup.