Description
🐟 HB Leopard Guppy (Poecilia reticulata)
📌 Basic Info
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Scientific Name: Poecilia reticulata
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Family: Poeciliidae
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Origin: South America
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Size: 1.5 – 2.5 inches (3.5 – 6 cm)
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Lifespan: 2 – 3 years
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Tank Zone: Mid to top swimmers
🌊 Water Parameters
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TDS: 200 – 400 ppm
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pH: 6.8 – 7.8
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Temperature: 22 – 28°C (72 – 82°F)
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Hardness: 8 – 20 dGH
🐟 Characteristics
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Named “HB” (Half Black) because of its dark rear body with a bright leopard-pattern tail.
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Active, colorful, and peaceful – very popular in aquariums.
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Males are smaller, slimmer, and more vibrant; females are bigger and less colorful.
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Livebearers – females give birth to live fry.
🍽️ Food
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Type: Omnivorous
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Diet: Quality flakes, micro pellets, spirulina, baby brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, blanched veggies (spinach, cucumber).
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Feeding: 1–2 times daily in small portions.
🛠️ Maintenance
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Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons (bigger preferred for groups).
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Filtration: Gentle filter with sponge cover (protects fry).
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Substrate & Decor: Live plants, rocks, driftwood, hiding spaces, open swimming area.
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Water Change: 25–30% weekly.
👥 Social Behavior
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Minimum Group Size: 1 male with 2–3 females (to balance mating behavior).
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Tank Mates: Mollies, Platies, Swordtails, Corydoras, Tetras, Shrimp, peaceful Gouramis.
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Avoid: Aggressive fish or fin-nippers.
✅ Do’s
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Keep them in groups for natural behavior.
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Provide plants for cover and fry survival.
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Maintain clean, stable water.
❌ Don’ts
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Don’t keep them with aggressive or large fish.
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Don’t overcrowd – they breed very fast.
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Don’t expose them to sudden water parameter changes.
⭐ Quick Tips
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Easy to breed and care for – great for beginners.
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Females can produce 20–50 fry every 4–6 weeks.
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Their half-black body and leopard-pattern tail make them stand out in any tank.
