Description:
Elephant Ear Guppies are a freshwater variety renowned for their exceptionally large pectoral fins, which resemble an elephant’s ears and give them a distinctive, flowing appearance. Also called Dumbo guppies, they are popular for their striking colours and patterns, peaceful temperament, and hardy, easy-to-care-for nature.
Our Elephant Ear Cross Guppies carry Elephant Ear genetics bred with mixed-strain females. Because of this, not all offspring will show the classic oversized fins or uniform colours; some may display slightly smaller fins or a mix of patterns from the mixed-strain parent. The result is a lively and visually captivating fish, with flowing fins and vibrant colouration that varies slightly from one individual to the next.
Males display the characteristic large pectoral fins and vibrant, eye-catching colours, often combining reds, blues, and black patterns across the body and fins. Females are generally larger and more robust, with softer colouration, providing a gentle contrast to the males while still showcasing the flowing fin shapes typical of the Elephant Ear line.
Temperament
Elephant Ear Guppies are Known for their peaceful demeanour, they coexist harmoniously with other gentle fish in community setups. They are incessantly active, exploring their surroundings, foraging algae, and engaging in displays or interactions. While they establish hierarchies, conflicts are rare, limited to playful chasing or relentless breeding. They roam all parts of the aquarium, sometimes congregating at the bottom or near the surface, especially in tanks with larger bottom dwelling fish. Breeding occurs readily without special preparations, as long as both genders are present. Moscow Guppy give birth to live fry approximately every 23-30 days, with females capable of storing sperm for later fertilisation, leading to continuous reproduction even without males present.
Elephant Ear Guppies are hardy and adaptable, thriving under standard tropical freshwater conditions. They do particularly well in planted tanks that mimic their natural environment, but also appreciate open swimming space to show off their metallic colours. These guppies prefer clean, stable water and gentle filtration, with temperatures around 24–27°C. Their resilient nature makes them an excellent choice for both beginner aquarists and experienced hobbyists looking for a striking, active addition to a community aquarium.
Diet
Guppies are omnivorous, accepting various commercially available foods. However, flake foods should be crushed for their small mouths. A balanced diet including vegetables and occasional live or frozen foods ensures optimal health. They readily recognise feeding schedules and get extremely excited when you go near the aquarium. While adults can prey on their young, fry are most vulnerable to other tank mates. Providing hiding spots or a densely planted environment increases their survival chances. Alternatively, raising fry separately until they grow too large to be eaten by the parents or other tank mates is advisable. Guppy fry will grow rapidly with frequent feeding.
Breeding Behaviour
Livebearers, such as guppies are some of the easiest fish to breed in the aquarium hobby. Unlike egg-laying species, livebearers give birth to fully-formed, free-swimming fry, making the process simple but also potentially overwhelming due to how quickly populations can grow. Males constantly court females by displaying their colourful fins and using their gonopodium (a modified anal fin) to transfer sperm. Females can store sperm internally for several months, meaning a single successful mating can result in multiple batches of fry without needing a male present for every pregnancy. Once pregnant, the female will begin to develop a gravid spot, a dark area near her anal fin and her belly will grow much rounder. Gestation usually lasts around 4 weeks, depending on species and temperature. Just before giving birth, the female may isolate herself in a quiet area of the tank or behave restlessly. When she gives birth, the fry are immediately free-swimming and capable of feeding on tiny foods such as powdered fry food, crushed flakes, or baby brine shrimp. However, adult fish (including the parents) will often eat the newborn fry if given the chance. To improve survival rates, provide dense plants like java moss, hornwort, guppy grass, or any fast growing floating plant for hiding, or move the pregnant female to a separate breeding tank shortly before she gives birth. Females can give birth to anywhere from a handful of fry to 50 or more in a single batch, depending on their size, age, and health, in some occasions these numbers can reach 100. After giving birth, she can be returned to the main tank, while the fry remain in their own tank or nursery area until they are large enough to avoid being eaten.
Care Guide:
- Species – Poecilia reticulata
- Common Name – Elephant Ear Guppy
- Origin – North coast of South America
- Temperament – Peaceful
- Diet – Omnivore
- Minimum Tank Requirement – 40 litres for small group
- Tank Level – Preferred top dweller – every level
- Care Level – Easy
- PH Range – 6.5 – 8.5
- Temperature – Tropical 22–28°C
- Breed Type – Livebearer – reproduce rapidly
- Size – Grows to approximately 2.5–5cm
- Sex – Un-sexed
Acclimation Guide:
- Float the Bag: Place the unopened bag in your tank and let it float for 15–20 minutes. This lets the water inside the bag slowly match your tank’s temperature.
- Turn Off the Lights: Keep the aquarium lights off during this process. It helps keep things calm and prevents sudden temperature changes.
- Add a Bit of Tank Water: After floating, carefully open the bag and pour out about half the water into a sink or bucket (not into your tank). Then, slowly add small amounts of your tank water into the bag over 15–20 minutes. This helps your fish adjust to the new water conditions.
- Gently Move the Fish: Use a fish net to gently move your fish from the bag into the tank. Try not to pour the bag water into your tank — this helps keep your aquarium clean and healthy.
- Watch and Wait: It’s normal for fish to hide or act a bit shy at first. Keep an eye on them, and avoid doing a water change for the first 24 hours to give them time to settle in.
- Feeding Behaviour: New fish may not eat any food for the first 12-24 hours whilst it is settling into its new environment, please allow some time before feeding as the food may go to waste.
For more detailed steps and tips, feel free to visit our Acclimation Guide in our Education tab to help make the transition as smooth as possible for your new fish.
Elephant Ear Guppy x Guppy
Elephant Ear Guppy x Guppy
Please note: Our livebearers are raised in mixed-sex tanks to promote natural breeding, so some females can arrive already pregnant, even if it isn’t showing at the time.
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Why Shop With us — Our Promis to you
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Is Your Tank Ready? — Tank Checklist Before Buying
Is Your Tank Ready? — Tank Checklist Before Buying
⚠️ Important: Please ensure your aquarium is fully cycled before introducing any new fish. A cycled tank provides a stable, healthy environment and helps prevent stress, illness and even death of your new fish! If you’re unsure what this means, visit the Education section of our website and read our page on The Nitrogen Cycle.
🐟 Want expert tips for your aquarium? Beginners can start with How to set up your aquarium, while everyone can check out Aquarium Maintenece & Care for ongoing tank tips!
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How We Ship Your Fish — Watch Here
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📦🐟 Live Fish Ship Mondays & Tuesdays Only with $30 Express Shipping - To minimise transit time and ensure your fish arrive happy and healthy.
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