Green Tuxedo Guppy: Complete Care Guide, Breeding, and Tank Setup

Guppies are among the most popular freshwater aquarium fish in the world. With their wide variety of colors, patterns, and fin shapes, they have become a favorite choice for both beginners and experienced aquarists. One of the most stunning varieties is the Green Tuxedo Guppy, a fish known for its shimmering green body and elegant tuxedo-like markings.

This article provides a complete guide to Green Tuxedo Guppies, including their origin, appearance, care requirements, diet, breeding, tank setup, and common health issues. If you’re planning to add this beautiful guppy variety to your tank, this guide will give you everything you need to know.

What is a Green Tuxedo Guppy?

The Green Tuxedo Guppy is a selectively bred strain of guppy (Poecilia reticulata) that features a striking metallic green coloration on its body, combined with a tuxedo-like darker rear half. This two-tone contrast gives the fish an elegant, formal appearance, which explains the “tuxedo” name.

Guppies originate from South America, but the Green Tuxedo Guppy is a result of selective breeding carried out by aquarists worldwide. Over time, breeders have enhanced the guppy’s natural colors to produce the brilliant shades seen today.

Appearance of the Green Tuxedo Guppy

The Green Tuxedo Guppy is famous for its unique and eye-catching look:

• Body Color: A shimmering green front half, often with iridescent metallic hues that shine under aquarium lighting.
• Tuxedo Pattern: The rear half of the body and caudal peduncle (base of the tail) are usually darker, sometimes black or deep green, resembling a tuxedo suit.
• Tail and Fins: The tail may be green, black, or patterned, depending on the specific strain. Some strains display long, flowing fins, while others have shorter rounded tails.
• Size: Males are typically 1.5 – 2 inches long, while females can grow slightly larger, up to 2.5 inches.
• Sexual Dimorphism: Males are more colorful, while females have a fuller body shape and duller colors.

When kept in a well-maintained tank with good lighting, the Green Tuxedo Guppy’s colors truly stand out, making it a centerpiece fish in any aquarium.

Natural Behavior and Temperament

Green Tuxedo Guppies are peaceful and active fish. They enjoy swimming around all areas of the tank and do well in community setups with other non-aggressive fish.

Key behavioral traits:

• Schooling Fish: Guppies feel secure in groups, so it’s best to keep at least 5–6 guppies together.
• Peaceful Nature: They rarely show aggression, although males may chase each other during breeding.
• Social Interaction: They interact well with other livebearers and small community fish like mollies, platies, tetras, and corydoras.

Ideal Tank Setup for Green Tuxedo Guppies

To keep your Green Tuxedo Guppies healthy and thriving, you need to set up a proper aquarium environment.

Tank Size

• A 10-gallon tank is the minimum for a small group of guppies.
• A 20-gallon or larger tank is ideal if you plan to keep a larger school or breed them.

Water Parameters

Green Tuxedo Guppies are hardy, but they thrive best when water parameters are stable:

• Temperature: 72°F – 82°F (22°C – 28°C)
• pH: 6.8 – 7.8
• Water Hardness: 8 – 12 dGH
• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: < 40 ppm

Filtration and Aeration

• A gentle sponge filter or hang-on-back filter works well.
• Avoid strong currents, as guppies prefer calm to moderate water flow.
• Aeration helps keep oxygen levels high, especially in well-stocked tanks.

Substrate and Decor

• Use fine gravel or sand substrate.
• Add live plants like guppy grass, java moss, and hornwort, which provide hiding spots and breeding grounds.
• Decorative caves and driftwood can also make the tank more attractive.

Lighting

• Moderate aquarium lighting enhances their green metallic colors.
• 8–10 hours of light daily is sufficient.

Feeding Green Tuxedo Guppies

Guppies are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant-based and protein-rich foods. A varied diet ensures vibrant colors and healthy growth.

Recommended Foods

1. High-Quality Flakes or Pellets – Specifically formulated for tropical fish or guppies.
2. Live Foods – Brine shrimp, daphnia, and mosquito larvae boost protein intake.
3. Frozen Foods – Bloodworms, tubifex worms, and frozen brine shrimp.
4. Vegetable Matter – Blanched spinach, zucchini, or spirulina flakes for fiber.

Feed them 2–3 small meals per day, ensuring they consume the food within 2 minutes to avoid overfeeding.

Tank Mates for Green Tuxedo Guppies

Since Green Tuxedo Guppies are peaceful, they can be housed with many other fish. However, avoid aggressive or fin-nipping species.

Compatible Tank Mates

• Other guppy varieties
• Platies
• Mollies
• Swordtails
• Neon Tetras
• Corydoras catfish
• Shrimp and snails

Tank Mates to Avoid

• Betta fish (may nip fins)
• Large cichlids (predatory)
• Tiger barbs (aggressive fin-nippers)

Breeding Green Tuxedo Guppies

Guppies are livebearers, meaning they give birth to free-swimming fry rather than laying eggs. Breeding Green Tuxedo Guppies is easy, making them a favorite for beginner breeders.

Breeding Process

1. Sex Ratio – Keep 1 male for every 2–3 females to prevent stress.
2. Gestation Period – Females carry fry for about 21–30 days.
3. Fry Count – A single female can give birth to 20–60 fry at once.
4. Breeding Tank – Use a separate breeding tank or heavily planted tank to protect fry from being eaten.

Fry Care

• Feed baby guppies infusoria, crushed flakes, or baby brine shrimp.
• Provide plenty of hiding spaces with plants.
• Separate them until they grow large enough to avoid predation.

Common Health Issues in Green Tuxedo Guppies

Like other guppies, Green Tuxedo Guppies may suffer from certain health problems if not cared for properly.

1. Ich (White Spot Disease) – Caused by parasites; appears as white grains on the fish’s body.
2. Fin Rot – Fins appear torn or ragged, usually due to bacterial infections.
3. Swim Bladder Disorder – Causes difficulty in swimming, often linked to overfeeding.
4. Velvet Disease – Golden dust-like appearance on skin; caused by parasites.

Prevention

• Maintain clean water conditions.
• Avoid sudden temperature fluctuations.
• Quarantine new fish before adding them to the main tank.
• Provide a balanced diet to boost immunity.

Why Choose Green Tuxedo Guppies for Your Aquarium?

• Striking Appearance – Metallic green body with tuxedo pattern makes them stand out.
• Peaceful Nature – Compatible with many community fish.
• Hardy and Adaptable – Can survive in a variety of water conditions.
• Easy Breeding – Great choice for beginners wanting to breed fish.
• Affordable and Accessible – Widely available in pet stores and online.

Conclusion

The Green Tuxedo Guppy is a stunning and easy-to-care-for fish that brings color, activity, and charm to any freshwater aquarium. With their metallic green shine and tuxedo-like markings, they make an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced aquarists. By providing them with the right tank setup, balanced diet, and compatible tank mates, you’ll be able to enjoy their beauty for years.

Whether you’re looking to start a guppy breeding project or simply want a beautiful community fish, the Green Tuxedo Guppy is a fantastic choice.

FAQs About Green Tuxedo Guppies

1. How long do Green Tuxedo Guppies live?
They typically live 2–3 years with proper care, but excellent tank conditions can extend their lifespan.

2. Can Green Tuxedo Guppies live with bettas?
It is not recommended, as bettas may nip at their flowing fins.

3. How often should I feed my Green Tuxedo Guppies?
Feed them 2–3 small meals per day in amounts they can finish within 2 minutes.

4. Do Green Tuxedo Guppies need a heater?
Yes, since they are tropical fish, a heater helps maintain stable temperatures between 72°F – 82°F.

5. How many Green Tuxedo Guppies should be kept together?
Keep at least 5–6 guppies together, as they are social fish and thrive in groups.

6. Do Green Tuxedo Guppies eat plants?
They may nibble on soft plants, but they generally don’t harm live plants.

7. How can I enhance the color of my Green Tuxedo Guppy?
Feed them a varied diet rich in live foods and ensure good lighting conditions in the tank.

8. Can I breed Green Tuxedo Guppies with other guppy strains?
Yes, but the offspring may not retain the exact tuxedo coloration, as genetics will vary.