Yellow Melanzona Guppy (Poecilia Parae)

The Yellow Melanzona Guppy (Poecilia parae), also known simply as the Melanzona Guppy, is a captivating freshwater fish that holds a rare status within the aquarium hobby. 

• Maximum Size: These guppies typically reach a size of up to 5 cm (2 inches).
• Appearance: The male Melanzona Guppies exhibit various wild color variants, including red, yellow, and blue. Their bodies are translucent and silvery iridescent, adorned with two distinct dark horizontal stripes along the flanks, creating beautiful coloration within the stripes. Another variant, known as Parae, lacks the horizontal lines and instead showcases orange vertical lines on the front half of the body, accompanied by black vertical stripes on the back. Additionally, there’s an Immaculata morph with more subdued coloration resembling that of female fish.
• Natural Habitat: In the wild, Melanzona Guppies inhabit freshwater habitats, but a significant proportion of individuals have been collected from brackish areas. Therefore, they tend to fare better and experience fewer health issues when maintained in slightly brackish water conditions in captivity.
• Tank Setup:
  • Aquarium Size: These active fish require a spacious and well-established aquarium.
  • Water Conditions: Optimal conditions involve a slightly brackish setup. They can coexist with compatible tankmates such as X-ray Tetras, Black Darter Tetras, Cardinal Tetras, Harlequin Rasboras, and more.
  • Plants and Hiding Places: Creating a heavily planted aquarium with resilient plant species capable of thriving in a slightly brackish environment provides essential cover for the fish. Ample hiding places support the well-being of the fry.
  • Filtration and Water Movement: Efficient filtration is crucial, while ensuring gentle water movement.
• Breeding: These guppies are livebearers. Distinguishing between male and female Melanzona Guppies is straightforward. Males exhibit a smaller size yet boast more vibrant and striking coloration. Additionally, their fins tend to be slightly longer, and they possess a distinctive gonopodium, a modified anal fin used for reproductive purposes.
• Tankmates: They can coexist with other species of similar size, including Black Darter Tetras, Cardinal Tetras, Harlequin Rasboras, Emerald Eye Rasboras, African Banded Barbs, Golden Dwarf Barbs, Corydoras, smaller Plecos, and Dwarf Shrimp.

These captivating guppies are a delightful addition to any aquarium, but their rarity and delicacy make them better suited for experienced aquarists.