Description
🐟 Dark Knight Guppy (Poecilia reticulata)
📌 Basic Info
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Scientific Name: Poecilia reticulata
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Family: Poeciliidae
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Origin: Selectively bred (aquarium strain)
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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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Striking jet-black body with metallic blue or green highlights, giving them a bold “knight” look.
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Males are smaller, sleek, and show intense coloration; females are larger with subtler shades.
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Peaceful, hardy, and active – perfect for community aquariums.
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Highly sought after by guppy breeders for their rare, dark beauty.
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Livebearers – females produce free-swimming fry.
🍽️ Food
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Type: Omnivorous
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Diet: High-quality flakes, micro pellets, brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, spirulina, blanched spinach/zucchini.
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Feeding: 1–2 times daily in small portions.
🛠️ Maintenance
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Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons (larger is better for groups).
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Filtration: Gentle sponge filter or low-flow system.
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Decor: Plants, caves, and open swimming spaces.
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Water Change: 25–30% weekly for healthy growth.
👥 Social Behavior
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Minimum Group Size: At least 1 male with 2–3 females (to avoid stressing females).
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Tank Mates: Other guppies, Platies, Mollies, Swordtails, Rasboras, Corydoras, Tetras, Shrimp.
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Avoid: Aggressive or fin-nipping fish (Tiger Barbs, Bettas, large Cichlids).
✅ Do’s
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Provide plants for fry to hide.
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Keep stable water for deep, dark coloration.
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Use proper male-to-female ratios to reduce stress.
❌ Don’ts
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Don’t overcrowd – they breed quickly.
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Don’t mix with aggressive or fin-nipping species.
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Don’t neglect regular water changes.
⭐ Quick Tips
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Unique for their velvety black coloration with royal shine.
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Easy to breed – females give birth to 20–40 fry every month.
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Excellent choice for both beginners and collectors of rare guppy strains.
