Mosaic Guppy

The Mosaic Guppy is one of the most visually striking and popular fancy guppy varieties in the aquarium hobby. It is best known for its intricate mosaic-like patterns on the tail and dorsal fin, which resemble stained glass or artistic brushwork. Unlike solid-color guppies, Mosaic Guppies display complex color combinations, making each individual fish look unique.

Scientific Name: Poecilia reticulata
Common Name: Mosaic Guppy
Origin: Selective breeding
Difficulty Level: Easy

Appearance & Coloration

The Mosaic Guppy is primarily valued for its ornamental tail patterns rather than body color.

• Body Color: Silver, light blue, yellow, or pale metallic tones

• Tail Pattern:

  • Irregular mosaic or lace-like markings

  • Common colors include red, blue, black, yellow, orange, and white

• Dorsal Fin: Usually patterned to match the tail

• Tail Shape: Delta (fan-shaped) is most common

Size:

• Males: 3.5–4 cm (1.4–1.6 inches)

• Females: 5–6 cm (2–2.5 inches)

No two Mosaic Guppies are exactly alike, which makes them highly attractive for display tanks.

Behavior & Temperament

Mosaic Guppies are peaceful, active, and social fish.

• Friendly toward tank mates

• Constant swimmers, especially in the middle and upper tank levels

• Males display their tails frequently to attract females

• Ideal for community aquariums

They thrive best when kept in small groups.

Tank Requirements

Tank Size

• Minimum: 10 gallons (40 liters)

• Recommended: Larger tanks for mixed guppy communities

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 22–28°C (72–82°F)

• pH: 6.8–7.8

• Hardness: Moderate (8–15 dGH)

Tank Setup

• Live plants (Java moss, guppy grass, hornwort)

• Open swimming areas

• Gentle filtration

• Medium to bright lighting to highlight tail patterns

Regular water changes (20–30% weekly) keep colors vibrant and fish healthy.

Diet & Feeding

Mosaic Guppies are omnivorous and easy to feed.

Recommended Diet

• High-quality guppy flakes or micro pellets

• Live or frozen foods:

  • Brine shrimp

  • Daphnia

  • Bloodworms (occasional)

• Plant-based foods:

  • Spirulina flakes

  • Blanched vegetables (small amounts)

Feeding Frequency:
2–3 small meals per day

A varied diet improves tail color intensity and pattern clarity.

Tank Mates

Suitable Tank Mates

• Other guppies

• Mollies and platies

• Tetras and rasboras

• Corydoras catfish

• Peaceful shrimp

Avoid

• Fin nippers (tiger barbs)

• Aggressive or predatory fish

Breeding & Genetics

Mosaic Guppies are livebearers and breed easily.

• Gestation period: 25–30 days

• Fry per birth: 20–50

Breeding Notes

• Male-to-female ratio: 1:2 or 1:3

• Dense plants protect fry

• Fry foods:

  • Baby brine shrimp

  • Crushed flakes

The mosaic pattern is genetically complex, and selective breeding is required to maintain strong, clean mosaic markings. Crossbreeding often reduces pattern quality.

Health & Common Issues

Common Problems

• Ich (white spot disease)

• Fin rot

• Stress-related color fading

Prevention

• Stable water parameters

• Good filtration

• Avoid overcrowding

• Quarantine new fish

Mosaic Guppies are hardy when maintained in clean water conditions.

Lifespan

Average lifespan: 2–3 years

Proper diet and stress-free environments can slightly extend their lifespan.