RED COBRA GUPPY

The Red Cobra Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is a stunning and energetic livebearer variety, admired for its fiery red coloration and bold, snakeskin-like “cobra” patterning across the body and tail. This guppy’s vibrant red hue is intertwined with intricate black rosettes or spots, creating a striking contrast that shimmers as it swims. Selectively bred for both color and pattern consistency, the Red Cobra Guppy is a favorite among aquarists who want a bright, eye-catching centerpiece fish that’s also hardy and easy to care for.

Adult males typically grow to about 1.5 inches (3.5–4 cm) and exhibit the most vivid coloration and refined tail patterns, while females reach up to 2.5 inches (6 cm) and display subtler shades of red and orange.

Ideal water parameters:
Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
pH: 7.0–8.0
Hardness: 8–20 dGH

Tank setup: Red Cobra Guppies thrive in clean, stable aquariums of 10 gallons or larger with gentle filtration and moderate lighting. Their colors look especially vivid against dark substrates and green plants. Provide a mix of open swimming space and plant cover, such as Hornwort, Java Fern, or Water Sprite, which also give shelter to fry. Because they are livebearers, females give birth every 4–6 weeks, and dense vegetation helps protect baby guppies from adults.

Diet: These guppies are omnivorous and thrive on a well-balanced diet. Feed high-quality flake or micro-pellet food as a staple, with supplemental live or frozen foods like brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia to enhance color intensity. Spirulina flakes or blanched vegetables like zucchini also support health and vibrancy.

Temperament and tankmates: Peaceful, active, and social, Red Cobra Guppies do well in community tanks with other gentle species such as platies, mollies, swordtails, tetras, rasboras, and corydoras. Avoid fin-nipping or aggressive fish that could damage their flowing tails.

In summary, the Red Cobra Guppy is a fiery, elegant, and easy-to-keep livebearer that adds a burst of energy and color to any freshwater aquarium. Its bright red tones, distinctive cobra pattern, and lively behavior make it a perfect choice for aquarists seeking beauty, hardiness, and constant motion in their tank.