12/03/2022
Guppy Types by Tail Shape
Based on their tail shape alone, we can distinguish around 13 types of guppy fish. This variety is the result of years of selective breeding, and the list is continuously expanding as breeders succeed in developing new varieties:Guppy Fish Tail Shape (source – CC BY-SA 4.0)
1. Veiltail
Veiltail guppies have a tail that resembles an isosceles trapezoid. The tail can be colored in a single color or multiple, pattern like colors. Dorsal and ventral fins are usually elongated and flowy.
2. Triangle-tail
Delta Tail Guppy
Also known as the Delta tail guppy, their tail shape resembles a triangle.
The triangle-tail guppy has an impressive tail size that’s beautifully colored or showcases interesting patterns.
Dorsal fins are long and flowy, ventral fins are usually smaller.
3. Fantail
Fantail guppies have elegant-looking tails that resemble an open fan. This tail type is actually typical of fancy guppies. Dorsal fins can be elongated, ventral fins are usually smaller.
4. ScarftailFlag Tail Guppy
The scarf-tail guppy is also known as the flag-tail guppy. This tail shape is much narrower on the edges compared to the other tail types I mentioned so far but remains just as impressive in terms of colors and patterns.
5. Double SwordtailDouble Swordtail Guppy
The double swordtail guppy has a unique tail shape that sets them apart from other guppy fish.
It’s very similar to the tail of the swordtail fish, but instead of one elongated tail, the double swordtail guppy fish has two elongated tails shaped like a sword on either side of the tail base.
When the tail it’s elongated only on the upper or lower side of the tail, it creates two different guppy varieties.
6. Top Swordtail
Some swordtail guppies don’t feature double tails, instead the tail is elongated in only one edge like in the case of the top swordtail guppy, which features a tail that’s elongated at the top of its tail base.
With only one edge of the tail being elongated, it’s easy to see how these fish can resemble the swordtail fish.
7. Bottom SwordtailBottom Swordtail
The bottom swordtail guppy is a mirrored version of the top swordtail guppy, since only the bottom edge of their tail is elongated.
The edge of the tail which is not elongated is narrow and shaped like the tail of flagtail guppies.
8. LyretailLyre Tail Guppy
The lyretail guppy is not very different from the double swordtail guppy. In fact, it’s a variation of the double tail guppy.
In case of the lyretail guppy, the tails look like they’re independent of each other but upon closer inspection you may notice that in fact they’re connected by a small transparent membrane.
9. Cofertail
Guppies with a paddle shaped tails are called cofertail guppies and they’re part of the s1. RoundtailRound Tail Guppy
Well-rounded and usually on the shorter side, the roundtail guppy is another impressive specimen that can be an interesting choice for those interested in aesthetics and breeding unique and distinctly shaped guppies.
10. Speartail
With a tail shaped like a spear, this type of guppy doesn’t have a particularly large tail, but it’s still an impressive-looking tail that gets your attention. Of course, there are variations within this category too with some tails being larger than others.
11. RoundtailRound Tail Guppy
Well-rounded and usually on the shorter side, the roundtail guppy is another impressive specimen that can be an interesting choice for those interested in aesthetics and breeding unique and distinctly shaped guppies
12. Pintail
A bit similar to the spear tail guppy variety, the mid section of the pintail guppy’s tail is much more elongated, hence the name pintail.
Because of the long pointy tail, this guppy type is also referred to as the needle tail guppy. The tail sets out wider at the base and becomes more slender as it reaches the pin-like section, where it narrows out.
13. Halfmoon tailHalfmoon Tail Guppy
When it comes to guppy tail shapes, the halfmoon tailed guppy is my favorite. The tail starts out wide at the base and widens even further until it resembles a halfmoon.
It’s one of the more impressive-looking guppy tails, especially when it features an amalgam of colors and shapes.
These are some of the tail varieties you’re likely to come across when researching guppy tail shapes, but the list is not complete as breeders are constantly coming up with newer shapes, each more impressive than the one before.
