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Exploring Vertebrates
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Lesson 1, Topic 1
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Structure & Function of Fish
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External Structure of a Guppy
Scientific name: Poecilia reticulata
Size: Adults 3.5 – 6 com
Range: United States to northern Argentina and Caribbean.
Nowadays they are present in many tropical and temperate climates worldwide
Fun Facts
- Colors and fin shapes – Not by accident, guppy fish is also known as rainbow fish, they come in various colors and shapes
- Highly adaptable – They can thrive in many different water conditions. Although they are native to South America, today guppies can be found all over the world in tropical and subtropical waters, and in home aquariums.
- Omnivore – They eat pretty much anything! Algae and larvae of various insects in the wild, and tropical fish flakes and brine shrimps in the captivity.
- Fight against Malaria – They’ve been introduced to numerous rivers in Asia to reduce number of larvae of mosquito and help in the fight against malaria.
- Mate all year round – Females mate with numerous males (phenomenon known as polyandry) and store sperm in the body for the later use. Females can produce offspring during the next 8 months without assistance of males thanks to the stash of sperm in their body.
- Million Fish – Guppies are called like this because they reproduce easily and produce numerous offspring in short period of time.




Lifespan of guppies varies, but it is typically around 2 to 3 years.

Pitch
Roll
Yaw

