Lace Double Sword Guppies

Species Profile

Lace Double Sword Guppies (Poecilia reticulata) are a domestic strain bred for their snakeskin lace body patterning and twin sword extensions on the top and bottom edges of the tail fin. Rather than dragging a heavy delta tail through the water, males stay nimble and active, cruising the upper and mid levels of the tank. They are peaceful community fish that leave plants alone, so your delicate stems and foreground carpet runners stay rooted. Because they spend most of their time feeding near the surface and can easily jump when startled, you will want to keep a tight-fitting lid on the tank.

**Note: All livestock orders will come carefully packaged with solid wall Styrofoam insulation and shipped via 1-day shipping only. No extra insulation needs to be added to your cart for your livestock.

Key Features & Notes

• Intricate lace filigree patterning paired with upper and lower swordtail extensions adds detailed contrast to mid-water scapes.
• Active, agile swimmer that remains plant-safe and leaves delicate foreground carpets rooted.
• Peaceful social nature thrives in small groups and integrates smoothly into calm community layouts.

Acclimation & Care Instructions

• Float the sealed transport bag for 15 to 20 minutes to equalize water temperatures before opening.
• Drip acclimate over 30 to 45 minutes using airline tubing to ease them gently into your tank parameters.
• Keep water slightly alkaline (pH 7.0 to 8.0) with moderate mineral hardness to support strong sword fin rays and prevent fin rot.
• Maintain gentle to moderate filter circulation; while more agile than heavy delta tails, they still appreciate calm resting pockets.
• Equip your aquarium with a snug-fitting lid; surface-oriented guppies can jump when startled or during morning feeding.
• Feed a varied diet of high-quality micro pellets, spirulina flakes, and frozen baby brine shrimp once or twice daily.
• Lace pattern density and swordtail length develop naturally with age and a balanced, protein-rich diet.

Quick Facts

Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to do thorough research to ensure healthy livestock!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are Lace Double Sword Guppies safe to keep with dwarf shrimp?

Adult Neocaridina and Caridina shrimp are safe to cohabitate with them. However, guppies are opportunistic omnivores and will readily hunt tiny newborn shrimplets in open water. If you want to sustain a breeding shrimp colony in the same setup, incorporate plenty of dense hiding zones like Java Moss, Christmas Moss, or thick ground cover.

2. What water chemistry is ideal for keeping guppy fins and sword extensions healthy?

Fancy guppies require clean water with moderate mineral hardness (GH 8+) and a stable pH between 7.0 and 8.0. Soft, acidic setups tend to erode slime coats, weaken delicate sword fin rays, and lead to fin clamping over time. Regular partial water changes and consistent mineral levels are key to keeping their lace patterns and sword rays clean and sharp.

3. How often do guppies breed, and how do I raise the fry?

Female guppies drop free-swimming fry roughly every 30 days under stable conditions. Adults will naturally hunt newborn fry in open water, so you will want floating plant cover like Salvinia or Water Lettuce to give fry a fighting chance. If you want a complete breakdown on fry care, nutrition, and water management, take a look at our comprehensive Guppy Care Guide.

4. What tank mates should I avoid housing with Lace Double Sword Guppies?

Avoid fin-nipping or boisterous schooling fish like Tiger Barbs, Serpae Tetras, and large cichlids, as the long swordtail points on males make tempting targets. Great community pairings include pygmy Corydoras, Otocinclus, small rasboras, and peaceful clean-up crews like Nerite snails or Amano shrimp.