Lyretail Guppies are recognized for their lyre-shaped tail fins, which are split and flared. This distinctive tail shape adds a touch of elegance and uniqueness to their appearance.
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Lyretail Guppies are recognized for their lyre-shaped tail fins, which are split and flared. This distinctive tail shape adds a touch of elegance and uniqueness to their appearance.
The Lyretail Guppy is easily recognized by its long, elegant tail fin with extended upper and lower lobes that create a lyre-like shape. This tail often features striking color patterns, including metallic blues, fiery reds, yellows, and spotted or striped designs. Males display more vibrant colors and longer tail extensions, while females are larger but less ornate.
1-3 years
Omnivorous
The Lyretail Guppy is a graceful, eye-catching variety that adds elegance and motion to any peaceful community aquarium. Its unique tail shape and active nature make it a standout choice for both display tanks and breeding projects. With proper care, they can be prolific breeders and maintain their stunning appearance for years.
Beginner to Intermediate
10 gallons
6.8 – 7.8
Moderately hard to hard
22°C – 28°C (72°F – 82°F)
2.5 inches
Peaceful species like tetras, rasboras, mollies, platys, Corydoras, Otocinclus catfish, and non-aggressive shrimp
Angelfish, Betta (male), Tiger Barbs, Oscars, Jack Dempsey, Cichlids, Gouramis, Mollies, Platies, Swordtails, Shrimp, Snails
Poecilia reticulata
Poeciliidae
Wild form from South America; selectively bred worldwide for fin shape and color
Peaceful, active, thrives in groups
Offer a balanced diet with both protein and plant matter. Feed a staple of high-quality guppy flakes or pellets daily, supplemented with live or frozen foods 2–3 times a week to enhance coloration and breeding activity. Blanched spinach, zucchini, or peas can be offered once or twice a week to support digestive health. Varying the diet ensures strong immunity and vibrant tail colors.
Livebearer – females give birth to fully formed, free-swimming fry every 4–6 weeks
Lyretail Guppies breed readily under proper conditions. Females are livebearers, producing 20–60 fry per batch. The gestation period is approximately 21–30 days. Fry are independent from birth, but due to the parents’ tendency to consume them, it’s best to provide dense plant cover such as Java moss, Hornwort, or Water Sprite, or move pregnant females to a breeding box. Lyretail males, with their elaborate tails, may have slightly reduced agility compared to other guppy types, so selective breeding in a controlled environment can improve fry survival.
Maintain stable water parameters with a pH of 6.8–7.8 and moderate to high hardness (8–12 dGH). Weekly 25–30% water changes are essential to prevent nitrate buildup. Lyretail Guppies prefer calm to moderate water flow, as their long fins can make swimming in strong currents tiring. Keep water well-oxygenated and free from sudden temperature changes.
They can be susceptible to fin rot, ich, velvet disease, and bacterial infections, especially if housed in overcrowded or unclean tanks. Overfeeding can lead to bloating and swim bladder issues. Long tails are prone to tearing, so avoid housing them with fin-nipping fish such as tiger barbs or aggressive tetras.
Peaceful
Lyretail Guppies are lively and constantly on the move, exploring every corner of the aquarium. They are social fish, happiest when kept in groups of six or more. Males may display gentle chasing behavior during courtship, showing off their elongated lyre-shaped tail to females. They are generally peaceful, but males can sometimes be persistent in pursuing females, so maintaining a ratio of two to three females per male is recommended to reduce stress.
The Lyretail Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is a selectively bred ornamental fish prized for its distinctive lyre-shaped tail fin, which has elongated extensions on both the top and bottom edges. This design not only makes it visually striking but also contributes to its fluid swimming style. Native to South America in its wild form, the guppy has been adapted and refined worldwide into countless varieties, with the lyretail being one of the more elegant and desirable strains. In the aquarium, they are peaceful, adaptable, and perfect for community tanks. Their breeding is straightforward, but because the male’s elongated tail can slightly hinder mobility, tank conditions should be optimal to prevent stress. Lyretail Guppies display their best coloration in well-planted aquariums under good lighting, where the contrast between their vivid tails and green plants creates a spectacular display. They are hardy but benefit greatly from a varied diet and stable water quality. For hobbyists interested in selective breeding, the lyretail gene can be passed on to offspring, making them a rewarding choice for guppy breeders aiming to produce visually stunning future generations.