Cobra Guppy (Snakeskin)
Poecilia reticulata
The Cobra Guppy is a fascinating strain, characterized by a body entirely drawn in a reticulated or zig-zag pattern resembling reptile scales. Males boast enormous fan tails, but this genetic magnificence has made them extremely frail. Contrary to the false myth of the "indestructible beginner fish", Asian Cobra Guppies need very hard water (limestone) and suffer terribly in soft water, which literally disintegrates their fins in 48 hours through bacterial corrosion.
Température de l’eau
22 - 28 °C
Valeur du pH
7 - 8.5
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Tous les niveaux
Taille adulte
5 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 40 L
Groupe minimal
>= 4
GH
10 - 25 dGH
KH
5 - 12 dKH
TDS
200 - 495 ppm
Conductivité
313 - 773 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Strain created in breeding farms (probably originated in Germany or USA). In nature the progenitors live in slow ditches, warm pools and coastal rivers of Venezuela and Trinidad.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Cobra / Snakeskin Guppy (Poecilia reticulata). Commercial competition Poeciliid. Standard guppy morphology, but selected for "delta" tails (giant triangular) that strongly slow down the male's swimming.
Social Behavior: Tireless womanizer. Gathers near the surface waiting for feed, and then spends the rest of the day showing off his tail in front of any female that comes within range.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: The Snake Pattern. The "Cobra" or "Snakeskin" gene creates a dense network of fine metallic meshes (gold/black, green/black) on the male's body, which extends fading into spots on the huge tail. Females (6 cm / 2.4 inches large) are gray or greenish, with only the base of the tail colored.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: Guppy tank of 60-80 cm (24-32 inches). Still water is essential: a filter with a "torrent" flow would exhaust and kill the Cobra males, who drag tails as big as parachutes.
Diet and Feeding: Micro-omnivore. Very fond of vegetable flakes and live food. Supplement with spirulina powder to enhance the golden and green pigments of the Cobra lattice.
Water Quality: Hard water fish. Absolutely needs calcium and mineral salts (GH 12-25) to build its bones and develop fins. In soft and acidic water it will collapse and die of fungi in a few days.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: To be paired with equally peaceful and non-nippy fish. Corydoras, Ancistrus and Platies are ideal. Male Bettas hate it (seeing its immense fins as a threat) and Buenos Aires Tetras will mutilate it.
Aquarium Breeding: Extremely prolific. The male's gonopodium injects sperm packets that the female stores for months. The puppies (fry) are born already wriggling; without java moss on the bottom, they will be exterminated by the mother.
Risks and Diseases: Fin Necrosis (Fin Rot). Because of the immense tail, the vascularization at the extremities is weak. At the slightest drop in hygiene or ammonia accumulation, bacteria will attack the margins of the Cobra's tail, "burning" it and fraying it irreparably.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Strain created in breeding farms (probably originated in Germany or USA). In nature the progenitors live in slow ditches, warm pools and coastal rivers of Venezuela and Trinidad.
Origine
Sélection et cultivarsAmazonie, Orénoque et GuyanesAmérique centrale et CaraïbesAmérique du NordEurope, Méditerranée et Asie occidentaleAsie de l'Est
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Active
- Poecilia reticulata var. Cobra has a bright, active, and peaceful temperament. They are constantly in motion, adding brilliant flashes of color to the aquarium. Males will continuously court females with frantic swimming displays. They are completely harmless to other fish and are considered one of the best species for beginners.
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- Guppies are omnivores that will readily accept almost any commercially available fish food. A high-quality micro-pellet or flake food should form the staple of their diet. To enhance their stunning colors, supplement with live or frozen foods like daphnia, baby brine shrimp, and bloodworms. They also enjoy grazing on soft algae present in the tank.
- Espérance de vie
- 2-3 years
- Taille adulte
- 5 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- Specific M:F ratio
- Males are smaller, much more vibrantly colored, and possess a pointed gonopodium for mating. Females are larger, less colorful, and have a dark gravid spot near their anal fin. It is crucial to maintain a ratio of at least two or three females for every male. This disperses the males' constant harassment and reduces stress on the females.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- Because of their small stomachs and high energy levels, they do best with small feedings twice a day. They will aggressively swarm the surface during feeding time. Care must be taken not to overfeed, as uneaten food will foul the water. A varied diet will ensure strong immune systems and bright coloration.
- Charge biologique
- Low to Medium
- Poecilia reticulata var. Cobra has a relatively low individual bioload due to its small size. However, because they breed so rapidly, a population explosion can quickly overwhelm an aquarium's filtration. It is vital to monitor the population size to prevent water quality from deteriorating. Regular maintenance and water changes are necessary to keep the environment healthy.
- Courant
- Stagnant
- They prefer a gentle to moderate water flow. While wild guppies live in streams, the highly bred ornamental varieties have large, heavy fins that make swimming in strong currents exhausting. A sponge filter or a baffled hang-on-back filter provides the perfect amount of circulation. Stagnant water should be avoided to maintain proper oxygenation.
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- Guppies are known to be surprisingly adept jumpers, especially when spooked or if the water parameters drop in quality. A secure aquarium lid is highly recommended to prevent them from leaping to their deaths. Floating plants can also help deter them from jumping by providing a sense of overhead security. Always cover any large gaps around filter intakes.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- They are famous for their explosive breeding rates and are often called the 'millionfish'. They are livebearers, meaning the females give birth to fully formed, free-swimming fry. Without intervention, they will quickly overpopulate a tank. To save the fry, dense vegetation like Java moss must be provided, as parents will readily cannibalize their young.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Harem only
- They are incredibly peaceful and make perfect residents for a gentle community aquarium. Ideal tankmates include small tetras, rasboras, corydoras, and peaceful bottom dwellers. They should never be kept with fin-nipping species like tiger barbs, which will destroy the males' flowing tails. Large or aggressive fish will easily view them as a quick snack.
- Niveau dans le bac
- All levels
- They are highly active and utilize the top and middle levels of the aquarium. They are constantly swimming in the open water and investigating their surroundings. They appreciate heavily planted tanks which offer them places to rest and hide. Floating plants are particularly favored by fry for shelter.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 3,2 ± 0,4 se
- Résilience
- Élevée (moins de 15 mois)
- Temps de génération
- 0,6 ans
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.01288, b = 3.14
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible à modérée (33 / 100)
Galerie d'images
Images sous licence liées à l'espèce ou, lorsqu'elles sont indiquées, au taxon représentatif le plus proche.
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