Back to Roots: The “Original” Guppy and the 3 Basic Types

In the fish shop, you see hundreds of names: Red Dragon, Blue Moscow, Black Metal Lace.

It’s confusing.

But if you strip away the fancy marketing names, there are really only Three Basic Types of guppies based on their history and purpose.

Here is the evolution of the guppy, starting from the grandfather of them all.

1. The Original: The “Wild Type” (Ikan Longkang)

• Scientific Name: Poecilia reticulata
• Origin: South America (Venezuela, Barbados, Trinidad).
• The Look: They are small and ugly—or beautiful, depending on your taste.
  • Females: 100% Grey/Silver. No color.
  • Males: Small splashes of orange, black, and iridescent green dots. No big tail. Just a short, round, transparent fin.
• In Malaysia: We call these “Ikan Longkang.” They were introduced to Malaysia decades ago to eat mosquito larvae in drains. They are the strongest, hardiest guppies on earth. You can literally find them living in dirty drain water behind a mamak stall.

2. The “Feeder” Guppy (The Reject)

If you go to the shop and see a tank labeled “100 pcs for RM10,” these are Feeders.

• The Look: A mix of Wild Types and “failed” Fancy Guppies.
• The Purpose: Food. They are sold to feed Arowanas and Flowerhorns.
• The Truth: These are actually genetically very diverse. Sometimes, if you buy a bag of feeders and treat them well, you can find a beautiful, unique male with “Wild” colors that look amazing in a planted tank.

3. The “Fancy” Guppy (The Man-Made Art)

This is what 99% of people keep. Over the last 100 years, breeders took the Wild Guppy and selectively bred them for Big Tails and Solid Colors.

Within “Fancy Guppies,” there are 3 Main Patterns that form the base of almost all guppies:

A. The “Tuxedo” (Half-Black)

• Look: The back half of the body is solid black (like a suit jacket). The tail can be any color (Red, Blue, Yellow).
• Example: “HB Red” (Half-Black Red).

B. The “Cobra” (Snakeskin)

• Look: The body has a complex, rosette pattern that looks like snake scales or a leopard print.
• Example: “Green Cobra,” “Red Lace.”

C. The “Mosaic” (Patterned Tail)

• Look: The tail has a specific pattern that looks like stained glass or a mosaic floor. It is usually a mix of black and a bright color.
• Example: “Blue Mosaic.”

Wait, What About Endlers?

Many people think Endlers are just “Wild Guppies.”

They are not.

• Scientific Name: Poecilia wingei.
• They are a separate species, not just a breed.
• The Difference: “Original” Wild Guppies have spots and round tails. Endlers have neon bars (orange/green) and often have “spade” or “fork” tails.

The Shop Guy’s Take

If you want to know “how many” types there are:

• Species: Only 1 (Poecilia reticulata).
• Strains: Over 300+ recognized show strains.

But if you want the strongest fish? Go back to the Wild Type.

The “Ikan Longkang” might not win a beauty contest, but it will survive a nuclear apocalypse. The “Full Red High Dorsal” might die if you look at it wrong.

Summary Table: The Guppy Hierarchy