Family : Poeciliidae (Poeciliids) , subfamily: Poeciliinae
Order : Cyprinodontiformes  (rivulines, killifishes and live bearers)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Guppy
Fish Name : Poecilia reticulata
Max size : 3.5 cm SL (male/unsexed; Ref. 43281); 6 cm SL (female)
Environment : benthopelagic; non-migratory; pH range: 7 - 8; dH range: 9 - 19
Climate : tropical; 18 - 28°C; 14°N - 2°N
Global Importance : fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: highly commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm=0.16-0.25; Fec=20-40 with multiple spawning per year)Distribution : South America: Venezuela, Barbados, Trinidad, northern Brazil and the Guyanas. Widely introduced and established elsewhere, mainly for mosquito control, but had rare to non-existing effects on mosquitoes, and negative to perhaps neutral effects on native fishes (Ref. 12217). Africa: Feral populations reported from the coastal reaches of Natal rivers from Durban southwards, as well as in the Kuruman Eye and Lake Otjikoto in Namibia (Ref. 7248). Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-8; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 8-10
Biology : Occurs in warm springs and their effluents, weedy ditches and canals (Ref. 5723). Found in various habitats, ranging from highly turbid water in ponds, canals and ditches at low elevations to pristine mountain streams at high elevations (Ref. 11225). Inhabits slow-flowing or still water near the margin of pools among vegetation (Ref. 44894). Has a wide salinity range but requires fairly warm temperatures (23-24 °C) and quiet vegetated water for survival (Ref. 7248, 44894, 79840). Feeds on zooplankton, small insects and detritus. One of the most popular aquarium fishes with many standardized varieties. Used in genetics research. Female reaches 5 cm SL (Ref. 2847). Males mature at 2 months and females at 3 months of age (Ref. 1672). Aquarium keeping: in groups of 5 or more individuals; minimum aquarium size 60 cm (Ref. 51539). A very popular and widely available species in the aquarium trade. Populations were established prior to the 1970s, undoubtedly the result of thoughtless aquarists discarding unwanted pets (Ref. 44894)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : potential pest
Coordinator :
Main Ref : Rodriguez, C.M.. 1997. (Ref. 26855)

India country information
Common Names : Barbados millions, Guppy
Status : introduced
Salinity : freshwater
Uses : no uses