2013/09/10
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Hong Kong Biodiversity Database
Hong Kong Biodiversity Database
General
Conservation
Distribution
Photo Gallery
References
General Information
Poecilia reticulata
Guppy
Animal Group:
Freshwater Fish
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Cyprinodontiformes
Family:
Poeciliidae
Description:
The Guppy is one of the most popular aquarium fishes with many ornamental varieties. The wild guppy is a tiny fish with a dorsal mouth and a pair of large eyes. Its pectoral fins are placed high on the body and the rounded caudal fin is slightly elongated. Similar to G. affinis, the anal fin of male would develop into a gonopodium. The wild guppy is generally olive grey in colour with darker scale edge. Male fish has a brighter colour with metallic red, blue and green coloration on its body as well as longer and more colourful caudal fin.
Conservation Status
AFCD Assessment
Common
Distribution
Distribution in Hong Kong
Occurs in large number in many local streams and ponds.
Global Distribution
Native to the waters of the North Amazon region, northern Brazil, the Guyanas, Venezuela, Barbados and Trinidad. It has been introduced throughout the world as an aqurium fish.
Photo Gallery
References
More on Freshwater Fish in HK
Lam, K. S. (2002).
Freshwater Fish in Hong Kong.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Friends of the Country Parks and Cosmos Books Ltd., Hong Kong.
Lee, V. L. F., Lam, S. K. S., Ng, F. K. Y., Chan, T. K. T. and Young, M. L. C. (2004).
Field Guide to the Freshwater Fish of Hong Kong.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Friends of the Country Parks and Cosmos Books Ltd., Hong Kong
Man, S.H. and Hodgkiss, I.J. (1981).
Hong Kong Freshwater Fishes.
The Urban Council, Hong Kong.
