Moscow Purple Guppy

The Moscow Purple Guppy is a rare and highly prized fancy guppy variety known for its deep royal-purple coloration that extends uniformly from head to tail. A member of the prestigious Moscow guppy line, this strain showcases a luxurious metallic sheen and solid body color, making it one of the most elegant and exclusive guppies in the aquarium hobby.

Scientific Name: Poecilia reticulata
Common Name: Moscow Purple Guppy
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Category: Fancy Guppy (Moscow Line)

Appearance & Physical Characteristics

Body Color

• Primary Color: Rich royal purple to violet

• Sheen: Metallic or satin-like glow under light

• Coverage: Solid coloration across head, body, dorsal, and tail

• Intensity: Deepens with age, good diet, and lighting

True Moscow Purple Guppies show full-body color without fading, a key trait of the Moscow gene.

Fins

• Tail Types: Delta, fantail, or slightly rounded

• Tail Color: Same purple tone as the body

• Dorsal Fin: Tall and fully colored

• Edges: Clean and symmetrical in show-quality strains

Size

• Males: 3.5–4 cm (1.4–1.6 inches)

• Females: 5–6 cm (2–2.5 inches)

Females are larger but less intensely colored.

Behavior & Temperament

Moscow Purple Guppies are peaceful, confident, and active.

• Strong swimmers despite large fins

• Males frequently display during courtship

• Non-aggressive and community-safe

• Best kept in small groups

Their calm movement combined with intense color creates a premium display effect.

Tank Requirements

Tank Size

• Minimum: 10 gallons (40 liters)

• Larger tanks recommended for showcasing color depth

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 23–28°C (73–82°F)

• pH: 7.0–7.8

• Hardness: Moderate (8–15 dGH)

Stable, clean water enhances metallic color and fin health.

Tank Setup

• Gentle to moderate filtration

• Live plants: Java moss, guppy grass, anubias

• Dark substrate to enhance purple tones

• Open swimming space

• Moderate to bright lighting

Weekly water changes (20–30%) are essential.

Diet & Feeding

Moscow Purple Guppies are omnivorous but respond exceptionally well to high-quality diets.

Recommended Diet

• Premium guppy pellets or flakes

• Live/Frozen foods:

  • Baby brine shrimp

  • Daphnia

  • Bloodworms (limited)

• Color-enhancing foods:

  • Spirulina

  • Astaxanthin (moderate use)

Feeding Schedule:
2–3 small meals per day

A protein-rich diet helps maintain deep purple coloration.

Tank Mates

Suitable Tank Mates

• Other Moscow or fancy guppies

• Mollies and platies

• Peaceful tetras

• Corydoras catfish

• Peaceful shrimp

Avoid

• Fin-nipping fish

• Aggressive or fast-moving species

Preserving fin condition is crucial for Moscow strains.

Breeding & Genetics

Moscow Gene

• Produces full-body coloration

• Color expressed most strongly in males

• Requires careful selective breeding to maintain purity

Breeding Details

• Livebearer

• Gestation: 25–30 days

• Fry per birth: 20–50

Breeding Tips:

• Keep breeding lines pure

• Avoid crossing with patterned guppies

• Separate high-quality males for line development

Health & Common Issues

Common Problems

• Fin rot (in poor water conditions)

• Color dulling due to stress or poor diet

• Ich (white spot disease)

Prevention

• Stable water parameters

• Regular maintenance

• High-quality nutrition

• Quarantine new fish

Healthy Moscow Purple Guppies show intense, uniform coloration.

Lifespan

Average lifespan: 2–3 years

With premium care and genetics, some may live slightly longer.