Dumbo Elephant Ear Guppy Male

Species Profile

• Scientific Name: Poecilia reticulata
• Common Name: Dumbo Elephant Ear Guppy Male 
• Adult Size: 1.5 to 2.5 inches (4 – 6 cm)
• Life Expectancy: 1.5 to 3 years (may live longer with excellent care)
• Habitat: Freshwater rivers, streams, and pools in northern South America, now found worldwide due to introductions.

Tank Requirements

• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons (for a small group of males)
• Ideal Temperature: 22°C – 28°C (72°F – 82°F)
• pH Range: 6.8 – 7.8
• Water Hardness: 8 – 12 dGH

• Temperament: Peaceful and social; best kept in groups (3+ males or in a male-only tank)

Diet & Nutrition

• Omnivorous
• Will eat flakes, micro pellets, frozen or live foods like daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms

• For best colors and health, feed a varied diet rich in protein and some plant matter

Breeding & Spawning

• Livebearer (gives birth to free-swimming fry)
• Very easy to breed—females can give birth every 30 days
• Males are constantly trying to breed; keep a 1:2 or 1:3 male-to-female ratio if breeding

• Use dense plants or breeding boxes to protect fry

Appearance

• Males are smaller and much more colorful than females
• Display vibrant tails with a variety of shapes (fan, sword, lyre, etc.) and colors

• Constant fin-flaring and swimming shows

Distinctive Features

• Highly colorful, ornamental tail and body
• Extremely popular beginner fish
• Easy to care for and breed

• One of the most genetically diverse aquarium fish