Different Types of Guppies

The first type of guppy on our list is one of the most commercially available. Its common name comes from the shape of its caudal fin, which opens out like a wide and symmetrical fan. The tailfin is taller than the body, although it can range in size.

Guppies are also commonly known as rainbowfish, a name derived from their often colorful body. The fantail guppy is no exception and they can have very striking colors and patterns. Males generally measure between 3 and 4 cm, while females can grow slightly larger. This is an example of sexual dimorphism common in guppies. Due to the shape of its tail, it should not be kept in areas with strong water currents. Doing so could cause damage and hinder its mobility.

As its name suggests, this type of guppy fish is characterized by two elongated extensions on the upper and lower caudal fins. This gives the appearance of carrying two swords which you can see in the photo below. Its size is similar to that of the standard variety of guppy, around 4 cm in males and about 6 cm in females. Its coloration has a metallic base with bluish or greenish tones. The tail features intense red or orange colors.

It is difficult to keep track of all the guppy breeds which exist, thanks to the endeavors of hobbyist breeders across the world. This leads to subclassifications of different types of guppies, as is the case with swordtail guppies:

• Top swordtail guppy
• Bottom swordtail guppy

As with all swordtail guppies, these variations of the breed have extensions on their caudal fin. Top swordtail guppies have an extension at the top of this fin, whereas bottom swordtails have it at the bottom. The photo below depicts a bottom swordtail guppy. In all different types of swordtail guppies, the body is usually dark or silvery, while the tails are distinguished by a brightly colored stripe.

If you are considering adoption of any of these different types of guppies, you may want to take a look at our guide to fish compatible with guppies.

Another type of guppy classified according to their tail shape, the lyretail guppy has a caudal fin which resembles the shape of a lyre. The form of this U-shaped instrument is reflected in the lyretail's caudal fin which has two ends that curve backwards. The fins are usually elongated, reaching almost the same length as the body.

The coloration of the lyretail guppy breed is light, often slightly faded. In addition, it has dark outlines on the edges of the fins. To properly care for this type of guppy, it is not recommended to keep it in aquariums with plants that can snag its fins and cause damage.

Another popular guppy variety is the veil tail. This guppy type stands out for its fluid swimming and the length of its caudal fin, which unfolds like a veil floating in the water. It is very striking and attracts attention when observed in motion, displaying a particular elegance and beauty.

Female veil tails are distinguished from males not only by size and color, but also because their tails are not as developed. Males measure an average length of of 4.5 cm, with tails of about 2.5 cm. The coloration is usually intense, with shades such as red, electric blue or pearly white.

This guppy variety is unique. Characterized by having a thin, elongated and needle-like tail, it has an elegant and stylized appearance. This guppy breed is usually smaller than other types. Its coloration is generally monochromatic, in shades of black, white or blue. Another characteristic is that it can swim faster than other guppies with more developed tails, something which facilitates its mobility.

This type of guppy has a wide and straight tail which is reminiscent of a shovel or paddle. Although its tail isn't very developed, it is visually symmetrical and is characterized by its ease in swimming. It is the standard size for these fish, although females can be more robust. As for its color, it features a two-tone pattern that can also be graded, either in shades of blue and black or red and white.

The guppy cobra is notable for its wavy or dotted pattern of markings on its body. These are similar to those of a snake, the reason for its common name. The shape of its fins can vary. What really sets it apart is that its patterns are unique to each individual. Although the size is usually standard, breeders have also developed a much larger variety, known as the giant cobra. Different colors can provide further subcategories, such as green cobra guppy, blue cobra guppy, red cobra guppy, etc.

Discover how long aquarium fish can be expected to live with our related article.

This type of guppy is very popular for its attractive caudal fin coloration which features irregular markings in colors such as blue, red, orange or even a mixture of various shades. All have intricate black patches which resemble the tiles in a mosaic. Those with a very large caudal fin are known as dumbo mosaic guppies since they are large like the ear of an elephant. They have many different color variations.

Finally, on our list of different types of guppy breeds, we mention the delta guppy. This is a guppy variety that is both beautiful and popular. Its size can vary between 1.5 and 2 cm, with females being slightly larger than males. It has a large, striking caudal fin, with a variety of colors. These include red, yellow, blue, black, orange and green. In some cases, males also have spots on their skin that make the individual stand out.

If you want to know more about the processes which result in these different types of guppies, you can take a look at our article asking how do guppy fish reproduce?

If you want to read similar articles to Different Types of Guppies, we recommend you visit our Facts about the animal kingdom category.