{"product_id":"black-male-guppy-poecilia-reticulata-3cm-pack-of-6","title":"Black Male Guppy Poecilia Reticulata 3cm","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe black guppy is a striking selectively bred form of the classic livebearer, with males coloured deep velvet black across the body and fins. Native to northeastern South America and the southern Caribbean, the species is hardy, active and endlessly entertaining to watch. Ideal for beginners and peaceful community tanks, where the dark colour stands out against bright plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Males around 3.5 cm (1.4 in); females up to 6 cm (2.4 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/em\u003e 2–3 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eNative to:\u003c\/em\u003e Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and the southern Caribbean\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Slow, weedy streams, ditches and ponds; often hard water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDiet:\u003c\/em\u003e Omnivorous, mainly insectivorous in the wild\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePreferred Foods:\u003c\/em\u003e Quality flake, micro pellets, daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworm, spirulina flake\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Small feeds twice daily; include vegetable matter; only what is eaten in minutes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBest with:\u003c\/em\u003e Platies, mollies, rasboras, small tetras, corydoras, dwarf shrimp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Fin nippers such as tiger barbs and serpae tetras; large predatory fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAggression \u0026amp; Behaviour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/em\u003e Very peaceful and sociable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e None; males chase females constantly, so keep more females than males\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/em\u003e Beginner\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eChallenges:\u003c\/em\u003e Commercial lines can be inbred and delicate; needs clean, stable water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/em\u003e Freshwater, hard and alkaline\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/em\u003e 22–28°C (72–82°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003epH:\u003c\/em\u003e 7.0–8.5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHardness:\u003c\/em\u003e 8–30 dGH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFlow:\u003c\/em\u003e Slow to moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Minimum 45 litres for a small group; 60 litres or more is better\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMales only, so no fry unless females are added; pair them with black females to keep the strain true, as guppies breed readily and females store sperm for months. Black colouration is at its richest in mature males over a dark substrate and with good diet. Long tails make them slow swimmers, so avoid strong flow and nippy tank mates. A handsome, easy fish that adds real contrast to a community.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64680670429561,"sku":"STF-GUPPY-MALE-BLACK","price":4.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/STF-GUPPY-MALE-BLACK.png?v=1790096968","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk\/products\/black-male-guppy-poecilia-reticulata-3cm-pack-of-6","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}