White Moscow Guppy: Complete Care, Breeding, and Guide for Aquarists -

Among the many colorful and fascinating guppy varieties, the White Moscow Guppy stands out as a truly elegant and mesmerizing fish. With its pearl-white body, shimmering scales, and graceful tail fin, it adds a touch of sophistication to any aquarium.

Unlike other guppies that display bright reds, blues, or yellows, the White Moscow Guppy features a pure, iridescent white coloration, making it unique and highly sought-after by aquarists. Whether you’re a beginner in fishkeeping or an experienced breeder, the White Moscow Guppy is an excellent choice due to its hardy nature, adaptability, and peaceful temperament.

This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about the White Moscow Guppy—its origin, appearance, tank setup, diet, breeding, genetics, common health issues, and aquascaping tips. By the end, you’ll understand why this guppy is one of the most prized strains in the aquarium hobby.

1. Introduction to White Moscow Guppies

Origin

Guppies (Poecilia reticulata) are native to South America, found in countries like Venezuela, Guyana, Brazil, and Trinidad. They were introduced worldwide for mosquito control and quickly became one of the most popular aquarium fish.

The Moscow strain originated in Russia during the 1980s. Breeders selectively developed guppies with unique colors and long tails. Over time, the White Moscow Guppy was created through genetic refinement, giving us the pure white beauty we see today.

Key Features

Scientific name: Poecilia reticulata
Common name: White Moscow Guppy
Family: Poeciliidae
Size: 1.5–2.5 inches (males smaller, females larger)
Coloration: Pearl-white or translucent-white body and fins
Lifespan: 2–3 years (with good care)
Temperament: Peaceful, schooling fish
Difficulty level: Easy to moderate

2. Appearance and Unique Traits

The White Moscow Guppy is prized for its striking appearance:

Body Color: A pure, shimmering white that looks pearl-like under aquarium lighting.
Fins: Long and flowing, sometimes with a veil or delta tail.
Eyes: Dark black or slightly lighter, depending on genetics.
Males vs. Females:
- Males are smaller but have more vibrant coloration and larger tails.
- Females are bigger and bulkier, with slightly less intense color.

The subtle elegance of the White Moscow Guppy makes it a centerpiece fish, especially when kept in schools.

3. Tank Setup for White Moscow Guppies

Creating the right environment ensures your guppies thrive and display their best colors.

Tank Size

Minimum: 10 gallons for a small group
Recommended: 20 gallons or more for larger colonies

Water Parameters

Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
pH: 6.8–7.8 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
Hardness: 8–12 dGH
Ammonia & Nitrites: 0 ppm (very sensitive to toxins)
Nitrates: <20 ppm

Filtration

Use a gentle sponge filter or hang-on-back filter to maintain clean water without strong currents.

Substrate

Sand or fine gravel works best.

Plants and Decorations

Live plants like Java Moss, Anubias, Vallisneria, and Hornwort provide hiding spaces and help with water quality.
Add driftwood and rocks for natural aesthetics.

Lighting

Moderate lighting enhances their pearly white color. Avoid overly strong lights that stress the fish.

4. White Moscow Guppy Behavior

Peaceful Community Fish – They coexist well with other peaceful species.
Schooling Habit – Best kept in groups of at least 6 to reduce stress.
Active Swimmers – They spend most of their time exploring the middle and upper levels of the tank.
Breeding Readiness – Males constantly court females, so a balanced male-to-female ratio is crucial.

5. Diet and Feeding

White Moscow Guppies are omnivorous and thrive on a varied diet.

Recommended Diet

High-quality flake food – Designed for tropical fish.
Pellets – Micro or nano pellets for small mouths.
Live/Frozen foods – Daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworms, mosquito larvae.
Vegetables – Blanched spinach, cucumber, zucchini (occasional treat).

Feeding Tips

Feed 2–3 times daily in small amounts.
Avoid overfeeding to prevent obesity and poor water quality.

6. Breeding White Moscow Guppies

One of the most exciting aspects of guppy keeping is breeding. White Moscow Guppies are livebearers, meaning they give birth to free-swimming fry.

Breeding Conditions

Male-to-Female Ratio: 1 male to 2–3 females (prevents female stress).
Breeding Tank: A separate 10–15 gallon tank for breeding is ideal.
Plants: Dense vegetation or breeding grass to protect fry.

Breeding Process

Males chase females, displaying their fins.
Fertilization occurs internally.
Gestation period: 21–30 days.
Females give birth to 20–50 fry at a time.

Fry Care

Feed infusoria, baby brine shrimp, or crushed flakes.
Keep water clean and stable.
Remove adults or provide plenty of hiding spaces to prevent fry predation.

7. Genetics of White Moscow Guppies

The White Moscow strain is the result of selective breeding, focusing on eliminating pigmentation while enhancing pearly, translucent qualities.

Genetic Highlights

Albino Genes: Some White Moscows may carry albino traits, leading to red or pink eyes.
Dominant vs. Recessive Traits: Breeding with colored strains may dilute the pure white appearance.
Line Breeding: To maintain purity, breeders selectively pair White Moscow guppies from strong genetic lines.

Maintaining a healthy gene pool is important to avoid inbreeding problems.

8. Tank Mates for White Moscow Guppies

Ideal Tank Mates

Neon Tetras
Corydoras Catfish
Mollies
Platies
Shrimp (Cherry or Amano)
Snails (Nerite, Mystery)

Tank Mates to Avoid

Aggressive fish like Tiger Barbs or Cichlids
Fin-nippers like Serpae Tetras
Large predatory fish

9. Common Health Issues

Even though guppies are hardy, White Moscow Guppies can face health problems if not properly cared for.

1. Ich (White Spot Disease)

Symptoms: White spots, scratching on surfaces.
Solution: Raise temperature gradually and use ich medication.

2. Fin Rot

Cause: Poor water quality, bacterial infection.
Solution: Improve filtration, use antibacterial treatment.

3. Swim Bladder Disorder

Symptoms: Difficulty swimming or floating sideways.
Solution: Feed peas (to clear digestion), reduce high-protein foods.

4. Internal Parasites

Symptoms: Weight loss, stringy feces.
Solution: Deworming medication.

Preventive Care

Maintain good water quality.
Quarantine new fish.
Feed a balanced diet.

10. Aquascaping with White Moscow Guppies

These guppies look best in lushly planted tanks that highlight their elegant white color.

Aquascaping Tips

Use dark substrates to contrast with their bright color.
Add floating plants like Salvinia or Water Lettuce to diffuse light.
Create open swimming spaces in the middle for schooling.

The result is a natural yet stylish aquarium that enhances their beauty.

11. Why Choose White Moscow Guppies?

Unique Coloration – A rare all-white guppy strain.
Beginner-Friendly – Easy to care for and breed.
Peaceful Nature – Great for community tanks.
Fast Breeders – Ensures a thriving colony.
Aquascaping Value – Stunning contrast in planted tanks.

FAQs About White Moscow Guppies

Q1: How big do White Moscow Guppies get?
Males grow up to 1.5 inches, while females can reach 2.5 inches.

Q2: How long do White Moscow Guppies live?
With proper care, they live 2–3 years.

Q3: Can I keep White Moscow Guppies in a small tank?
A 10-gallon tank is the minimum, but a larger tank is recommended for colonies.

Q4: Do White Moscow Guppies need special food?
No, they eat standard guppy diets, but a mix of flakes, pellets, and live foods is best.

Q5: How do I maintain their pure white color?
Provide clean water, proper lighting, and a stress-free environment. Avoid crossbreeding with colored guppies if you want to preserve the strain.

Q6: How many White Moscow Guppies should be kept together?
Keep them in groups of at least 6 to reduce stress and encourage natural behavior.

Q7: Can White Moscow Guppies live with shrimp?
Yes, they are peaceful and won’t harm shrimp, though they may eat baby shrimp.

Q8: Do White Moscow Guppies need a heater?
Yes, they are tropical fish and prefer stable warm water (72–82°F).

Q9: How often do White Moscow Guppies breed?
Females can give birth every 4 weeks.

Q10: Are White Moscow Guppies rare?
Yes, compared to other guppy strains, they are considered rare and are often sought after by breeders.

Conclusion

The White Moscow Guppy is a breathtaking addition to any aquarium. Its pure white coloration, graceful swimming style, and peaceful temperament make it a favorite among hobbyists. Best of all, it is easy to care for, adaptable, and beginner-friendly.

Whether you want a stunning centerpiece fish for a planted tank or a hardy guppy strain to breed, the White Moscow Guppy is an excellent choice. With the right care, diet, and tank setup, these guppies will thrive and continue to enchant aquarists for years to come.