Description
🐟 Purple Berry Dragon 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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Stunning purple body and fins with dragon-scale patterns.
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Males show vibrant deep purple with shining tails; females are larger and less colorful.
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Active, peaceful, and hardy – perfect for community tanks.
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Highly sought-after for their unique berry-like purple tones.
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Livebearers – females give birth to free-swimming fry.
🍽️ Food
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Type: Omnivorous
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Diet: High-quality flakes, micro pellets, baby 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 if keeping big groups).
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Filtration: Sponge/low-flow filter preferred.
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Decor: Planted tanks, driftwood, hiding spots, plus open swimming areas.
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Water Change: 25–30% weekly.
👥 Social Behavior
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Minimum Group Size: At least 1 male with 2–3 females.
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Tank Mates: Guppies, Mollies, Platies, Swordtails, Rasboras, Neon Tetras, Corydoras, Shrimp.
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Avoid: Aggressive or fin-nippers like Tiger Barbs, Bettas, large Cichlids.
✅ Do’s
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Keep in groups to reduce stress.
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Use live plants to help fry survival.
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Maintain good water quality for best colors.
❌ Don’ts
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Don’t overcrowd – guppies breed very fast.
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Don’t keep with aggressive species.
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Don’t skip water changes.
⭐ Quick Tips
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Eye-catching guppy with deep purple “dragon scale” design.
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Easy to breed – females can produce 20–40 fry every month.
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Great for both beginners and advanced aquarists who love unique strains.