🧬 Origins and Classification
- Scientific Name: Poecilia reticulata (Tuxedo Koi strain)
- Family: Poeciliidae (Livebearers)
- Origin: Descended from wild guppies native to South America (Brazil, Trinidad, and Venezuela). The Tuxedo Koi Guppy is a selectively bred ornamental strain known for its koi-style facial markings and bold tuxedo color contrast.
- Popularity: Highly popular due to its striking red/orange koi face mask combined with a dark tuxedo-patterned body, making it a favorite in display aquariums.
🎨 Appearance
- Color:
- Koi-style red/orange head (mask marking).
- Bold black or deep navy tuxedo body in the middle section.
- White, yellow, or orange tail depending on the specific line.
- Structure:
- Males show a slimmer body with larger, more vibrant fins.
- Females are rounder with softer color but still show the tuxedo marking.
- Tail types may include delta, fan, or round tail.
- Size:
- Males: 1.2–1.5 inches (3–4 cm)
- Females: 2–2.5 inches (5–6 cm)
- Lifespan: 2–3 years with stable warm water.
🏡 Tank Requirements
- Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons; ideal in small groups.
- Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
- pH: 7.0–7.8
- Hardness: 8–20 dGH
- Lighting: Moderate to bright, enhances the koi head color and tuxedo contrast.
- Substrate: Light-colored sand or fine gravel helps colors stand out.
- Habitat Setup:
- Add live plants like Java Moss, Anubias, Hornwort, or Water Sprite.
- Provide hiding spots for fry.
- Use gentle filtration — guppies prefer low flow.
🍽️ Diet
- Type: Omnivorous.
- Foods:
- High-quality micro pellets or guppy flakes.
- Color-enhancing foods: spirulina, brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms.
- Occasional veggie foods (blanched peas or zucchini).
- Feeding Tips: Feed 2–3 small meals daily.
🤝 Behavior and Compatibility
- Temperament: Peaceful, active, social.
- Tank Mates:
- Ideal with tetras, rasboras, mollies, platies, corydoras, shrimp, and other peaceful fish.
- Avoid fin-nippers like tiger barbs.
- Grouping: Best kept in trios (1 male with 2–3 females).
- Behavior: Vibrant swimmers with constant movement and color display.
💡 Care Notes
- Maintain warm, clean water for best koi-head coloration.
- Provide high-quality protein to develop strong red/orange mask color.
- Perform weekly 20–30% water changes.
- Tuxedo Koi Guppies add a stunning combination of koi-style head markings and tuxedo body contrast, making them one of the most eye-catching guppy types.
