Guppy

Scientific Classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Pisces
Order:	Cyprinodontiformes
Family:	Poeciliidae
Genus:	Poecilia
Species:	reticulata

Binomial name

Poecilia reticulata

The guppy, alternatively guppie (Poecilia reticulata) is one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish species in the world. It is a small member of the Poecilidae family (females 3cm, males 2cm) and is therefore live-bearing. It prefers a hard water aquarium and can withstand a surprising degree of salinity. Its most famous characteristic is its propensity for breeding.

The female guppy is a drab brown in colour. The much smaller male naturally has a colourful caudal fin (tailfin), which has been considerably enhanced in shape and colour by selective breeding.

The species originates in the Yucatan peninsula, but has escaped from captivity and lives in a feral condition in much of the warmer regions of the world. It has been introduced to some areas to keep down the mosquito population and fight malaria.

The Guppy aircraft are a series of extremely large wide-bodied aeroplanes that are used to transport oversize cargo, most notably parts for other aeroplanes and smaller rocket stages (ie the third stage of the Saturn V). See Pregnant Guppy, Mini Guppy, and Super Guppy.

Guppy in reference to U.S. conventional diesel/electric submarines refers to Greater Underwater Propulsion Power conversion. This conversion installed more powerful smaller batteries and involved changes to the hull streamlining and diving control surfaces to effect greater speed underwater.