Guppy Fish Types: How Many Different Types of Guppies Are There?

Believe it or not, there is no one true or accepted answer to the question: How many different types of guppies are there? There are so many different ways to differentiate between them that the number can be vastly different depending on who you ask.

For example, as a researcher, a scientist, and a conservationist, you could likely get three different numbers, as each would use other criteria to measure the many types there are. There is no one set rule to group this type of fish.

That being said, a few things remain true across all types.

Guppies are sexually dimorphic fish, which means you can tell the difference between male and female guppies as adults. Males are usually in higher demand, particularly for those who want to put their fish on show.

The signature feature of a male is often the unique and beautiful tail, although the metallic scales and rainbow colors certainly do no harm either.

Females do not boast the same tails as males and are often the more significant gender. They usually come in a dull grey or brown color, although some may have flashes of color still.

Let’s look at all the different types of guppies out there based on their species, tails, colors, and more. This is an all-you-need-to-know guide on the guppy!

Species of Guppy

There are three main species:

• Micropoecilia Picta
• Poecilia Reticulata
• Poecilia Wingei

Micropoecilia Picta

Although this is the official name of the species, they also go by several other names you may be more familiar with. The painted, the scarlet livebearer, and the swamp guppy are common nicknames. These nicknames come from where they are found, often in canals, swamps, marshes, drainage ditches, etc. The Micropoecilia Picta often comes with bright red scales and is a speedy guppy species. They primarily eat algae, plant food, small crustaceans, and mosquito larvae.

Poecilia Reticulata

The Poecilia Reticulata is the most popular species and often goes by the more familiar names rainbow fish, fancy guppies, or millions of other guppy fish species. These names come from the rainbow colors on the scales and are also known to be very fast reproducers.

Poecilia Wingei

The Poecilia Wingei is the rarest of all the species and dates back to 1937 Venezuela, when they were first discovered.

Guppy Types by Tail Shape

Fantail

Fantail is a perfect name for this type, as their tails spread like a beautiful, colorful, patterned hand fan. They come with various colors painted across their body, including deep purples, reds, bright blues, and more. Male fantails also have detailed caudal fins.

Veiltail

Similar to the Fantail Guppy, the Veiltail can be spotted thanks to the wedding vale-style tail, which is long and flowing in appearance.

Triangle Tail

Although olive-colored in the wild, they come in various colors in captivity due to various mutations. The top and bottom tips of the tail protruded from the body like two pointed swords.

Scarf or Flag Tail

This type features a short and narrow tail compared to the other types within the species. It gets its name from the tail flapping around like a flag when it swims.

Double Swordtail

Although they are olive-colored in the wild, they come in a variety of colors in captivity due to various mutations. The top and bottom tips of the tail protrude from the body like two pointed swords.

Top Swordtail

Very similar to the Double Swordtail Guppy, but only the top part of the tail protrudes into a point.

Bottom Swordtail

The same as the Top Swordtail Guppy, but only the bottom part of the tail protrudes into a point.

Lyretail

The Lyretail has a grey body and specks of color everywhere, usually green, red, or silver. They have upper and lower jaw teeth and are known to be among the types. Their markings are so unique they serve as fingerprints.

Spear Tail

As the name suggests, this type of type is rounded on the edges but draws to a point, just like the tip of a spear.

Roundtail

Looks similar to the Spear Tail Guppy with a dorsal fin that flows into a rounded tail.

Needle Tail or Pintail

The easiest type to spot thanks to its rounded tail that draws into a sharp needle-like point.

Halfmoon Tail

The tail arches away from the body at an angle of around 90 degrees, then arches back in a half-moon shape.

Cofertail

Also often referred to as the Spade Tail Guppy, the tail looks a lot like a shovel among the smaller types on this list.

Guppy Types by Body and Tail Patterns

Cobra

They often have a cobra look to their scales and sometimes come with black bars running across their bodies. The more visible markings actually come on the tail.

Tuxedo

As elegant as the name suggests. The top half of this fish is often a different color which is where the tuxedo name comes from. If you get a black top section of the body, it can look like a little dinner jacket.

Snakeskin

As the name hints, this guppy has a snake-like body, which is particularly visible when the guppy is yellow. However, there are so many types of colors and patterns that come with a Snakeskin Guppy.

Lace

Similar to the Cobra Guppy but without the black bars along the body. Sometimes, the tail tips and fins can be a different color from the body.

Glass

One of the more eye-catching guppies with a translucent appearance to the point that you can see babies and eggs inside the mothers.

Mosaic

A very popular type of guppy with mosaic coloration in reds, blues, yellows, oranges, and more.

Leopard

Yellow and dark orange coloration with a leopard-style pattern.

READ MORE: Guppy Tank Mates

Guppy Fish Types by Color

Albino

The Albino Guppy has pink-white skin due to a lack of pigment, and their reddish eyes make them stand out against other guppies.

White

The perfect beginner fish with beautiful snow-white coloration. Also often referred to as the platinum guppy.

Black

The common theme of the black type is dark black coloring, but they can also come in a range of tail shapes and sizes. Black Delta Tail guppies have black tails but white or silver fronts.

Red

Solid red coloring with the potential for small sections of another color. Common red guppies include Flamingo, Moscow Red, Full Red Gold, and Albino Red.

Blue

Comes in an electric blue color. Delta Tail guppies have blue tails and brown or silver bodies. Blue Guppies can also have red bodies and blue tails.

Neon Blue

Paler than the normal Blue and, as the name suggests, comes in a bright neon blue. Color can depend on the tail style.

Japanese Blue

The blue is seen in the Japanese Blue Swordtail Guppy ranges from deep to metallic. If they have a Delta Tail, the head may be silver. Leopard Guppies may also have black spotted tails.

Green

A solid green body with a color ranging from avocado to olive, depending on the style of tail too.

Yellow

Every single Yellow type has a yellow tail, ranging from bright orange/yellow to pale. Body color can depend on the style of tail.

Purple

Purple tail and fins, ranging from pale to bright purple, depending on tail style.

Bronze

In order to be called a bronze type, at least 25% of the scales must be bronze.

Golden

Golden Guppies have to boast golden scales, not just a golden tail.

Half Black Red

Bright red tail, head, and fins, with black coloring around the middle of the body. It can have other colors mixed in there too, including white.

Half Black Blue

Blue tail, black middle, and light blue or grey front.

Half Black Green

Green tail, black middle, and pale green, silver, white, or grey front.

Half Black Purple

Bright purple fins and tail, black middle, and lighter purple front.

Half Black Yellow

Tail and fins range from pale to bright yellow, dark grey or black middle, and a yellow, silver, or grey head. Can even include Leopard markings.

Half Black Pastel

The pastel colors come in a wide variety, and the tail fin or caudal is often a pastel white. The pale head and black/grey middle is contrasted by the bright pastel and tail fins.

Solid Color

As the name suggests, these guppies are easy to spot thanks to their solid and bright coloration, which comes in red, orange, green, black, purple, and blue.

Metal Guppies

These have crystalline chemochrome plates on their tails and bodies, allowing them to camouflage into the background and avoid predators by reflecting light.

Koi

A very rare type that looks like a Koi Fish. Often features the trademark Koi white color, with bright orange or dark blue mixed in there. You can get Koi Guppies with all kinds of tails and even versions.

Panda

Believe it or not, the color patterns on this fish can make it look like a panda! The body can be white, and the dorsal fins and ventral puns can be black (also red or blue).

Moscow

This guppy was apparently bred in Russia before being smuggled into America. It is among the largest guppies and often has a solid coloring.

Platinum

Usually has either pearlescent scales or an albino body.

Bi-Colored

There must be a primary and secondary color. The secondary must be at least 25% of the body, and any third color can be no more than 15%. Fins must be in the secondary color.

Multi-Colored

A variation of blues, greens, and reds that cover the body and fins. Females are brighter than the males.

Dragon-Head Guppy

Bright coloring that can include red, yellow, orange, violet, blue, and purple.

Jarawee Lazuli Gupy

Named after the bright blue stone lapis lazuli. But it is also often called Green Algae.

Other Unique Types of Guppy

Real Red Eye

These guppies have smaller bodies and darker red eye coloring than albinos.

Real Red Eye Albino

The eyes are pure red due to a lack of pigment, but a lighter red than the Real Red Eye.

Dumbo Ear

Very large pectoral fins that look like elephant ears. They come in yellow, violet, blue, orange, and red.

Mutt Guppy

Among the healthiest type due to changes in their genetics which makes them a lot easier to keep at home.

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