Live Fish Guppy Blue Dragon Dumbo Ear

The Blue Dragon Dumbo Ear Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is one of the most magnificent and highly sought-after selectively bred designer strains in the freshwater aquarium hobby. Combining striking metallic hues with unique morphological features, this fish serves as a vibrant, active, and eye-catching centerpiece for any planted community tank.

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Poecilia reticulata
• Care Level: Easy to Moderate
• Temperament: Peaceful and highly social
• Lifespan: 2 to 3 years
• Maximum Size: 1.5 to 2.5 inches (3.8 to 6.5 cm)
• Diet: Omnivorous
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
• Water Temperature: 72°F to 82°F (22°C to 28°C)
• pH Range: 6.8 to 7.8
• Water Hardness: 8 to 12 dGH (Prefers hard water)

Visual Characteristics

• Enormous "Dumbo" Pectoral Fins: The most striking feature is their vastly oversized, fan-like pectoral fins. These fins resemble elephant ears and wave gracefully like wings as the fish hovers.
• "Dragon" Mosaic Scales: The body is covered in dense, metallic, iridescent scaling. Under aquarium lighting, these scales flash intense shades of deep navy blue, violet, and silver.
• Elaborate Tail Finnage: Males feature wide, flowing delta or half-moon tails. These tails are heavily pigmented with a mix of deep blues, dark marbling, or intricate mosaic patterns.

Behavioral Traits

• Peaceful and Community-Friendly: They are exceptionally gentle and completely non-aggressive. They thrive when housed with other small, calm, and passive tank mates.
• Active Surface and Mid-Dwelling Swimmers: These guppies are highly energetic and prefer to spend most of their time actively swimming in the upper and middle layers of the water column.
• Graceful, Fluttering Movement: Because of their massive pectoral fins, their swimming style is distinct. They "flutter" in place and move with a rhythmic, wing-like motion rather than a rapid dart.
• Highly Social Shoalers: They feel most secure and confident when kept in groups. It is best to keep them in a colony of at least 4 to 6 individuals to encourage natural interaction.
• Persistent Courtship: Males display an endless, energetic drive to breed. They will constantly perform a "S-shaped" dance to impress females, which is why a ratio of 1 male to 2–3 females is essential to prevent female exhaustion.
• Curious and Food-Driven: They are incredibly bold and quickly learn to recognize their owner as the food source, often swimming to the front glass to "beg" for food whenever you approach the tank.