Gold Metal Head Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is named for the bright, metallic gold sheen concentrated across the head and shoulders, fading into a paler, iridescent body and flowing tail. Like all fancy guppies, this strain is the result of careful selective breeding that isolated and combined specific color, pattern, and fin genes to create a reproducible and striking color form.
Feeding & Care Tip: Hikari Fancy Guppy slow-sinking pellets and Sera Guppy Granules make excellent daily staples — the small pellet size is well suited to guppies' small mouths. Supplement 2–3× per week with Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp, Hikari Frozen Daphnia, or Hikari Vibra Bites to enhance fin and body coloration. Feed small amounts 2–3 times daily. For fry, Sera Micron Fry Food is an ideal first food.
Native to freshwater streams, rivers, and pools across northeast South America — Venezuela, Trinidad, Barbados, and surrounding areas — though introductions have spread the species worldwide. Wild guppies inhabit a wide range of water conditions from clean streams to brackish coastal waters, explaining the captive guppy's extraordinary adaptability. Captive-bred fancy guppies thrive across a very wide range of water parameters.
Keep in groups. We recommend keeping two females for every male — this distributes male attention across multiple females and significantly reduces stress on any individual female. In guppy groups with too many males relative to females, females can be harassed relentlessly, leading to stress, reduced condition, and shortened lifespan. A minimum of six fish — two males and four females — creates a natural, active social group. Compatible with virtually all small, peaceful community fish. Avoid fin-nippers such as Tiger Barbs that will shred the flowing tails of male guppies. Guppies are prolific live-bearing fish — a single female can produce 20–60 fry every 4–6 weeks with no special encouragement.
Guppies are among the easiest fish to breed in the hobby — livebearer fry are born fully formed and immediately free-swimming. A well-planted aquarium with dense vegetation allows some fry to survive without intervention. For the best results and survival rates, use a breeding box or separate the gravid female to a planted breeding tank before birth, then move the fry once born. Sera Micron Fry Food is an excellent first food for newborn fry, which can graduate to crushed Hikari Fancy Guppy pellets and baby brine shrimp within a few weeks.
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Temperament | Peaceful — active community fish |
| Typical Adult Size | 2.5 inches (6.3 cm) — males smaller with flowing fins; females larger |
| Min. Group Size | 6 minimum — 2 males to 4 females recommended |
| Ideal Temp | 72–82°F (22–28°C) |
| Ideal pH | 6.5–8.0 |
| Ideal GH | 5–20 dGH |
| Ideal KH | 3–12 dKH |
| Staple Food | Hikari Fancy Guppy (slow-sinking pellets); Sera Guppy Granules |
| Treat / Supplement | Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp; Hikari Frozen Daphnia; Hikari Vibra Bites |
| Origin | Northeast South America (captive-bred color strain) |
| Notes | Metallic gold coloration concentrated on the head and shoulder region ("metal head" strain). 2 females per male recommended. Prolific livebearer. Sera Micron for fry. |
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