Red Citrus Guppy Care Guide - Aquarium Setup, Diet & Breeding

Red Citrus Guppies are a bright cultivated form of the common guppy, prized for warm red, orange and yellow tones that resemble citrus colouring. Depending on the strain, the colour may cover the body, tail or both, with males often displaying especially vivid markings and elaborate finnage. Selective breeding has produced considerable variation in pattern, tail shape and intensity of colour.

These small livebearers are active, alert and constantly exploring the upper and middle levels of the aquarium. Males court females frequently, while groups often create a lively display as they weave through plants and open water. They are generally peaceful, although long-finned varieties can attract unwanted attention from fin-nipping tankmates.

In nature, guppies inhabit shallow, slow-moving freshwater environments such as streams, drainage channels, ponds and vegetated margins. They are adaptable fish that may encounter changing water conditions, abundant plant growth and seasonal fluctuations in their native range.

Poecilia reticulata has been kept and selectively bred in aquaria for well over a century. Red Citrus Guppies are valued for their colourful appearance, livebearing reproduction and approachable behaviour, making them a popular choice for both new and experienced fishkeepers.

Red Citrus Guppies are a selectively bred colour variety of Poecilia reticulata rather than a distinct wild population. The species originates from northern South America, including Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and parts of northern Brazil, and has been introduced to tropical regions around the world.

A small group can be kept in an aquarium of at least 40 litres, with a larger tank preferable for mixed-sex groups because of their rapid breeding. A practical minimum footprint is around 60 × 30 cm, with swimming space in the upper and middle levels. Use a secure lid, gentle to moderate filtration and plenty of live plants, including dense cover such as Java moss or floating plants for fry. Fine gravel or sand is suitable, and open areas should be left for swimming alongside wood, smooth stones and planted shelter.

Males usually reach about 3–4 cm (1.2–1.6 in), while females grow larger at approximately 5–6 cm (2.0–2.4 in). Exceptional females may approach 7 cm (2.8 in), particularly in selectively bred lines.

Red Citrus Guppies are omnivores that benefit from a varied diet. Offer a quality small flake or micro-pellet as the staple, supplemented with baby brine shrimp, daphnia, mosquito larvae and finely chopped frozen foods. Spirulina flakes, blanched vegetables and other vegetable-rich foods help provide plant matter, while small, regular meals suit their active metabolism. Feed only what they consume promptly to maintain water quality.

Red Citrus Guppies can live with other peaceful, similarly sized community fish such as platies, mollies, swordtails, peaceful tetras, harlequin rasboras, white cloud mountain minnows and small Corydoras. Avoid aggressive species, fin-nippers and large predators, including tiger barbs, many larger cichlids and predatory catfish. Long-finned males may be vulnerable to persistent nipping, and mixed-sex groups will produce frequent offspring, so single-sex groups are preferable if breeding is not wanted.

Red Citrus Guppies are prolific livebearers and usually breed readily in a mature aquarium. Keep a ratio of at least two females for every male to reduce persistent courtship, and provide dense plants or spawning mops where fry can hide. Females give birth to fully formed free-swimming young after roughly 21–30 days, depending on temperature. Adults may eat the fry, so separate the pregnant female before birth or move the young to a protected nursery area. Feed fry finely crushed flakes, powdered fry food or newly hatched baby brine shrimp.

The sexes are easy to distinguish. Males are smaller and more brightly coloured, with enlarged flowing tails and a pointed gonopodium used for reproduction. Females are larger-bodied and usually less vividly marked, with a rounded abdomen and a visible dark gravid spot when carrying developing young.