Guppy Cobra: colors and tips for content

It would seem that any aquarist knows what guppies look like - everyone knows these small fish with a variegated color. However, this acquaintance is often rather superficial, and therefore today we will talk about one of the most spectacular varieties of guppies - the cobra. This aquarium inhabitant is distinguished by a color resembling a snake skin in the form of a pronounced mosaic throughout the body.

The length of this fish is no different from the length of any other representatives of guppies - males grow up to 4 cm in adulthood, and females a little more - 5-6 cm. These pets have a rather fluffy tail that resembles a skirt. The tail size can reach 50% of the total length of the fish. The dorsal fin is small, slightly pointed at the end.

A characteristic feature that distinguishes the guppy cobra from all other relatives are spots located on the body in a chaotic manner and having a shimmering metallic sheen, which makes them look like snakeskin.

Guppy cobras are available in several colors. Consider the most popular varieties among lovers of aquarium fish.

• Blue cobra - this fish can be safely attributed to the most beloved fish by aquarists. In the natural environment, her relatives lived in small rivers flowing in South America. They had a beautiful red color, so biologists took them as the basis for breeding guppy cobra. Males have a dark blue body with a yellow-orange pattern.A similar pattern is also noticeable on the fins and in the tail of the fish, making the pets look especially decorative and effective.

• Red cobra - in science, this fish is known as filigree. It is distinguished by bright red fins, the body is much paler, but also has a pinkish-scarlet tint. Like other cobras, the filigree has an iridescent pattern that makes the scales look like snakeskin.

• Yellow gold cobra - This breed is of Asian origin, characterized by a yellowish tint with a characteristic metallic bluish sheen. In this case, the "snake" is manifested very clearly. The caudal fin has a thin pattern, and the pattern elements on it are small and separated from each other. In general, the pattern of the body is formed by a process in the upper part, colored reddish - it goes from the apex to the dorsal fin.

• Green cobra - as the name implies, green shades prevail in the color of this fish, the tail fin resembles a skirt with a slightly concave back, the bottom edge is slightly rounded. The rounded specks are arranged in random order and cover the entire body of the guppy, giving a pronounced resemblance to a reptile.

The guppy cobra is a selectively bred group of fish. Such fish do not occur in nature, so aquarium animals need to be monitored more carefully. For the full development and reproduction of these fish, the following conditions must be provided:

• water temperature - 20-27 degrees;
• hardness - from 10 units;
• acidity - 6-8 pH;

At the same time, one should not succumb to the delusion that this fish can live in any conditions - it is extremely demanding on the quality of water and aeration. Guppy cobras are acutely sensitive to the presence of nitrites, nitrates, nitrogen and other organics. It is very important to keep the container clean - to remove leftover food and fish excrement.

Keep in mind that your guppy cobra tank should be well lit, otherwise the fish will turn pale, become lethargic and start to get sick. It is advisable to mark the tank in such a way that the sun's rays fall into it in the morning and evening.

It should be noted that the rest of the guppy cobra is rather unassuming. These pets can live comfortably both in a half-empty and in a heavily overgrown aquarium. They do not need a lot of space - a tank of 10-20 liters is enough for a couple of fish. They can feel great even in brackish water, and a long stay in unheated artificial reservoirs is also allowed, but only if they are in a living room.

As for food, there is a great choice here. Guppy for real omnivorous, as they can feed on special store food, and frozen seafood, and live bloodworms. Experts recommend formulating the diet so that dry granules and cereals make up 70% of the menu, and live and frozen foods are used as an additive to the main food.

It would be useful to offer fish from time to time lettuce or spinach - the plant component in the feed significantly improves the immunity and well-being of pets.

Like other types of guppies, Cobras have a peaceful disposition, so they get along well with most other aquarium inhabitants of a comparable size. But with barbs and other fish that tend to bite other people's fins, it is better to keep cobras apart.

If you do not plan to breed guppies, then only males can be kept in the aquarium - they are distinguished by more saturated colors.

In general, these beautiful, peaceful and unpretentious fish can decorate any aquarium and cheer up any of their owners. Looking at these decorative fish, all that remains is to take off your hat in front of breeders who have managed to breed such an unusual species as the guppy cobra.

For an overview of the aquarium with guppy cobras, see the next video.