Easy to intermediate
Chocolate Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
18–26°C · pH 6.5–8 · 30L
£13.99
One live Cobra Red Female Guppy (Poecilia reticulata), approximately 3-4 cm. Keep at least five compatible guppies in a mature 60 cm, approximately 60-litre hard-water aquarium.
Poecilia reticulata
Cobra Red Female Guppy are a shoaling species — they need 6+ to feel safe and show their full colour. Larger shoals stay calmer, eat better, and look stunning.
One live Cobra Red Female Guppy (Poecilia reticulata), approximately 3-4 cm. Keep at least five compatible guppies in a mature 60 cm, approximately 60-litre hard-water aquarium.
Guppies are social livebearers suited to a prepared beginner, not a fish-per-litre formula. Use a mature filtered aquarium, tested neutral-to-alkaline mineral-bearing water, deliberate sex and population planning, open swimming room, cover and a separation option.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Cobra Red Female Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is an ornamental livebearer selected for warm orange-red and black patterning across the tail and dorsal fin. This listing supplies one live female fish at approximately 3-4 cm. Quantity one is not a pair, trio, shoal or breeding pack. Cobra Red is a trade-strain description rather than part of the scientific name, and each fish can differ naturally in pattern density, red coverage, body tone, proportions and maturity.
Plan for the animal as an adult female, not only at the supplied size. Females may reach 6 cm standard length and should live with at least four other compatible guppies. A practical starting home for a female group is a mature aquarium at least 60 cm long and approximately 60 litres, with extra capacity when other fish, males or fry increase the biological load. Target stable mineral-rich water around 22-26°C, pH 7.0-8.0 and 9-19 dGH.
Care is rated Moderate. The species eats readily, but responsible keeping still depends on a completed cycle, social stocking, measured water chemistry and a plan for possible offspring. An arriving female may have mated previously and can retain sperm, so a female-only aquarium prevents new mating but cannot guarantee that no fry will appear. The live product controls show the current price and availability. Eligible UK livestock orders carry our Live Arrival Guarantee, and eligible first-time customers can use WELCOME10 for 10% off.
| Listing detail | Customer meaning |
|---|---|
| Sale unit | One live female per quantity selected |
| Supplied size | Approximately 3-4 cm |
| Adult planning size | Up to 6 cm standard length for a female |
| Strain | Cobra Red ornamental form; pattern varies |
| Reproductive status | Previous mating and pregnancy are not known or guaranteed |
| Price and stock | Shown live on this page |
The single Shopify variant does not require a size choice. Adding two to the basket means two females, but an aquarium must still be stocked for their full adult group and total bioload. Trade carton quantities and wholesale packing are unrelated to the customer sale unit.
The fish belongs to Poecilia reticulata Peters, 1859, family Poeciliidae and order Cyprinodontiformes. The FishBase guppy account supports the accepted name, female maximum size, documented water range, natural feeding, social group and aquarium-length guidance. The California Academy of Sciences catalogue provides the formal taxonomic record.
In ornamental guppy naming, Cobra usually refers to reticulated or chain-like dark patterning combined with colour on the fins and sometimes the rear body. It does not identify a separate wild species or a guaranteed genetic line. Breeders and sellers may use overlapping names such as Cobra, snakeskin or mosaic for visually related forms, so the inspected fish and honest gallery disclosure matter more than treating a trade label as a rigid scientific diagnosis.
Red covers a spectrum from orange-red to deeper warm red under different lighting. It may be concentrated in the caudal fin, dorsal fin and caudal peduncle rather than covering the entire body. The product identity describes the intended strain direction; it does not promise one exact hue, percentage of coverage or arrangement of black marks.
Females are normally fuller through the body than males and grow larger. Their fins are usually less exaggerated, although a domestic female can still show a broad colourful tail and visible dorsal pattern. The anal fin remains fan-shaped rather than becoming the male gonopodium. Young females continue changing as they mature, so an arrival at 3-4 cm may develop more body depth and settled colour.
Expect variation in the number, shape and spacing of dark marks. One fish may show clearer black chain patterning, another larger spots or bands, and another more orange than red. Symmetry is not guaranteed. Natural variation is part of a living ornamental strain and should not be mistaken for a fulfilment error when the fish still matches the general Cobra Red identity.
Shipping stress, subdued lighting and an unfamiliar environment can temporarily reduce colour. Judge the fish after it has settled in stable water rather than on the first minutes after opening the box. A varied diet and calm social setting support normal appearance, but colour-enhancing food cannot ethically turn every individual into an identical catalogue image.
The protected first image is the source reference used for strain identity. Four clean generated illustrations follow it to show likely body form, pattern and aquarium context more clearly. They were inspected against the source, but none is a photograph of the exact animal dispatched. One illustration contains two fish; quantity one remains one female.
| Position | Asset role | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Preserved source image | Representative stock reference, not the exact fish |
| 2 | Generated driftwood scene | Illustrative aquarium context |
| 3 | Generated planted scene with two females | Does not promise a pair |
| 4 | Generated plant and scale view | Pattern and shade remain illustrative |
| 5 | Generated clean side profile | Not an exact-stock portrait |
Use the gallery to understand the strain, then use the written profile to decide whether the aquarium is suitable. No image can show the exact age, reproductive history, future adult colour or condition of a living fish that has not yet been selected for dispatch.
| Care factor | Recommendation | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Care level | Moderate | Social, water and reproductive needs require planning |
| Adult size | Plan for 6 cm standard length | Arrival size is temporary |
| Group | At least five compatible guppies | Supports normal social behaviour |
| Practical minimum | 60 cm long and about 60 litres | Provides swimming length and stable volume |
| Target temperature | 22-26°C | Within the published 18-28°C range |
| pH | 7.0-8.0 | Suits a neutral-to-alkaline community |
| Hardness | 9-19 dGH | Reflects the species' mineral preference |
| Diet | Omnivore | Needs animal and plant ingredients |
| Tank region | Upper and middle levels | Leave horizontal swimming room |
This female suits a fully cycled freshwater community with moderately hard, neutral-to-alkaline water; a secure lid; calm similarly sized residents; and room for a proper guppy group. It is a good option where the keeper wants active upper-level movement and understands that a female-only display can still produce unexpected fry after previous mating.
Do not choose it for an uncycled nano aquarium, very soft acidic specialist setup, solitary display, open top, predatory community or tank dominated by persistent fin-nippers. A small supplied fish should not be used to justify temporary accommodation with no adult plan.
Test the aquarium rather than relying on regional tap-water assumptions. Compare temperature, pH and hardness using the water parameter matcher, then confirm ammonia, nitrite and nitrate separately. One compatible number does not compensate for a failed cycle or unsuitable social group.
FishBase recommends an aquarium at least 60 cm long and a group of five or more. Horizontal length gives guppies a useful swimming route and room to move around one another. A tall aquarium can contain similar litres while offering less surface area and less practical horizontal territory.
Around 60 litres gives a female group more stable temperature and chemistry than a tiny tank. It also leaves some room for plants and maintenance access. This is a starting point for the guppies, not automatic approval for a crowded mixed community. Increase volume when adding bottom groups, other midwater fish, males or growing young.
Stocking decisions must include adult size, group number, feeding, filtration and waste from every resident. Five females plus a shoal of another species and bottom fish can exceed a nominal minimum quickly. Simplify the community or use a larger aquarium rather than relying on emergency maintenance.
| Proposed setup | Assessment | Action |
|---|---|---|
| One female in less than 60 cm | Unsuitable | Provide a proper social aquarium |
| Five females in about 60 litres | Practical baseline | Keep other stocking modest |
| Females with males | Higher pressure and likely fry | Add space, cover and population plan |
| Mixed community | Depends on full adult load | Research every species and increase volume |
A single female may survive, but that is not the recommended social arrangement. Keep at least five compatible guppies and observe whether every individual can feed, rest and swim without persistent exclusion. Similar size reduces the risk that one newly arrived fish is overwhelmed.
A female-only group avoids ongoing male courtship and deliberate new mating. Females can still interact, forage and move as a social group. Provide visual breaks and more than one feeding point because peaceful fish can still differ in confidence and feeding speed.
Female-only does not mean guaranteed fry-free. An adult female may have mated before purchase and retained sperm. Prepare a response before ordering rather than treating unexpected young as an emergency. A separate mature space is more useful than an uncycled container if temporary separation becomes necessary.
The documented species range is 18-28°C. A stable 22-26°C target is practical for this tropical community listing. Verify the heater with a separate thermometer and avoid quick corrections. Higher temperature increases metabolism and reduces the amount of dissolved oxygen water can hold, so the top of a range is not automatically preferable.
Target pH 7.0-8.0. Stability and buffering matter more than repeatedly adding chemicals to reach a fashionable exact value. Measure the source water, aquarium and any remineralised replacement water. Sudden pH changes can cause more harm than a stable result within the suitable range.
A general hardness of 9-19 dGH suits the species evidence. Chronically very soft water is a poor match. Where source water lacks minerals, use a measured aquarium-safe remineralisation method with a repeatable recipe. Do not add salt routinely as a substitute for appropriate hardness or diagnosis.
| Measure | Target | If unsuitable |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 22-26°C | Correct gradually and check heater accuracy |
| pH | 7.0-8.0 | Review buffering and source water |
| General hardness | 9-19 dGH | Use a measured aquarium remineralisation plan |
| Ammonia | 0 | Immediate testing, water change and cause correction |
| Nitrite | 0 | Immediate action and filter protection |
| Nitrate | Controlled trend | Review stocking, feeding and maintenance |
A mature biological filter converts ammonia from fish and organic waste through nitrite into nitrate. Both ammonia and nitrite are toxic and must remain at zero. Clear water cannot prove that the necessary microbial community is established.
Use reliable tests under a realistic biological load and repeat them. A fixed number of days, bottled bacteria label or running pump is not proof by itself. The aquarium should also hold stable temperature and pH, and its equipment should be working before dispatch is booked.
Test more frequently during the first week because the bioload has changed. Feed modestly and preserve mature filter media. If ammonia or nitrite appears, use conditioned temperature-matched water changes, reduce input and investigate the source rather than waiting for visible illness.
Choose filtration based on adult residents and feeding, not only tank volume printed on a box. Biological capacity and mechanical waste collection both matter. Maintain the filter before flow becomes severely restricted, while avoiding replacement of all mature media at once.
Guppies are active but should not be pinned against the glass or forced to swim into one strong jet continuously. Baffle an aggressive outlet or distribute the return. Ensure quiet areas exist without allowing dead zones to collect decomposing food.
A sponge pre-filter protects fins and any unexpected fry. Clean it when flow falls. Gentle surface movement supports gas exchange, especially in warm water. Persistent surface breathing, rapid gill movement or clustering at an outlet should trigger immediate equipment and water testing.
Dense planting at the sides and rear gives a female somewhere to step away from courtship or social pressure. Fine-leaved plants and floating roots also offer refuge for unexpected fry. Keep the central or front area open enough for normal group movement.
Sand or smooth fine gravel both work. Avoid sharp ornaments and narrow holes that can trap a fish. Secure hardscape so it cannot shift during cleaning. Leave access for waste removal because decorative complexity should not create permanently dirty pockets.
Use a consistent light period suited to the plants, often around seven to nine hours after adjustment for room light and algae. Shade should remain available. Abrupt intense light can startle fish, so allow ambient light before the aquarium lamps switch on where possible.
| Feature | Useful approach | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Planting | Covered margins and open swimming lane | Completely exposed layout |
| Substrate | Sand or smooth fine gravel | Sharp coarse surfaces |
| Decor | Stable pieces with safe clearances | Trapping holes and unstable stacks |
| Lighting | Timed period with shade | Continuous intense illumination |
| Cover | Secure lid and closed equipment gaps | Open top |
Use a high-quality fine flake or micro-pellet made for small omnivorous tropical fish. The ingredients should include both animal and plant material. Particles must be small enough to swallow without repeated spitting or exclusion from the group.
Rotate modest portions of daphnia, cyclops or brine shrimp with vegetable-rich prepared foods. Frozen items should be stored and thawed hygienically. Live food should come from a controlled source rather than outdoor water that can introduce pests, pollution or parasites.
Offer a small amount once or twice daily and observe consumption. Remove leftovers. Spread food across more than one point if confident fish dominate. Overfeeding can produce ammonia, bacterial growth and poor body condition; it does not reliably improve red colour.
| Food role | Examples | Frequency principle |
|---|---|---|
| Staple | Fine complete omnivore flake or micro-pellet | Small daily portions |
| Animal variety | Daphnia, cyclops, brine shrimp | Rotate, do not overload |
| Plant component | Vegetable-rich prepared food | Include regularly |
| Fry diet | Appropriately fine complete food | Only where young are intentionally raised |
| Leftovers | None intended | Remove and reduce the next feed |
Guppies use internal fertilisation and produce free-swimming young rather than laying a visible external clutch. That fact matters in an ordinary display aquarium because a female may arrive after previous contact with a male.
Direct research indexed on PubMed documents sperm storage in female guppies across successive broods. A second guppy reproduction study concerns internal fertilisation. These sources explain possibility; they do not prove that this individual is pregnant.
A rounded abdomen, darker rear area or changed behaviour can reflect maturity, feeding, stress or illness as well as reproduction. Do not squeeze, repeatedly net or confine the fish simply to inspect it. Assess water, respiration, appetite, swimming, waste and the whole group before drawing conclusions.
Male guppies court frequently. One male with one female can focus pressure on her, so mixed groups need substantially more females than males, additional room and dense visual cover. Even then, mating and fry are likely.
Pairing a Cobra Red female with a chosen male does not guarantee offspring that reproduce the same pattern. Previous mating, complex domestic genetics and variation all affect results. Deliberate line breeding requires separate mature tanks, records and responsible homes for every outcome.
A female display avoids ongoing male attention and new mating. It is generally easier for a keeper who wants the social activity of guppies without intentionally increasing the population. Stored sperm remains possible, so the offspring plan cannot be omitted entirely.
Know whether young can be raised in cycled accommodation or responsibly rehomed. Fry create extra feeding and maintenance demand as they grow. Never assume a retailer or another aquarist will automatically take an unplanned population.
Floating roots, moss and fine stems provide shelter. Adults and tank mates may still eat very small young. If preserving every fry is the objective, use a separate mature rearing aquarium rather than depending on dense planting alone.
This product is not sold as pregnant. No due date, brood number, sex ratio or survival rate is promised. Small breeding traps can stress a female and provide poor water exchange; they are not a default long-term enclosure.
Look for small peaceful fish that accept the same mineral-rich, neutral-to-alkaline water and do not dominate feeding. Similar adult size and calm behaviour matter. Every proposed companion still needs its own correct group number and floor or swimming space.
Fast feeders can leave a new female underconditioned, and species marketed as peaceful may still nip fins. Some community fish prefer softer water, so temperament alone is not enough. Compare adult size, temperature, pH, hardness, swimming level and diet.
Do not combine with predators, persistent fin-nippers, large territorial species or animals able to swallow an adult guppy. Avoid forcing a compromise between hard-water guppies and soft acidic specialists. Keep a separation plan because individual behaviour can differ.
| Companion | General assessment | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Other female guppies | Often suitable | Compatible size and adequate group |
| Suitable platies or mollies | Potentially suitable | More space and matched mineral needs |
| Peaceful hard-water species | Research exact fish | Match full adult requirements |
| Fin-nippers | Avoid | Risk of injury and chronic stress |
| Predatory fish | Avoid | Predation risk |
| Soft acidic specialists | Poor match | Do not force unsuitable chemistry |
Larger adult shrimp and common aquarium snails may coexist when their own water requirements match. Guppies are curious feeders, so no guarantee can be made for tiny shrimplets. Observe rather than assuming a general community label protects every invertebrate.
Newborn shrimp and fish fry can be eaten. Dense cover improves refuge but does not create certainty. Use a species-focused setup if breeding shrimp or preserving every young animal is the main objective.
Invertebrates consume some food and algae but also produce waste. They cannot repair an incomplete cycle, remove nitrate indefinitely or compensate for excess feeding. Add them because their welfare and role fit the aquarium, not as maintenance equipment.
Confirm zero ammonia and nitrite, stable temperature, pH and hardness, working filter and heater, secure lid and suitable group space. Do not schedule arrival on the day of a filter replacement or major rescape. Read the Live Arrival Guarantee and livestock delivery guidance before the parcel is sent.
Be available for delivery and bring the unopened package indoors. Inspect according to the guarantee instructions and contact us promptly if there is an arrival concern. Keep packaging and required evidence until the case has been reviewed.
Follow the supplied instructions and use the acclimation timer as practical support. Protect the bag from bright light and abrupt heat loss. Do not leave opened transport water standing for an unnecessarily long time because its chemistry changes after exposure to air.
| Stage | Do | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Day before | Test water and inspect equipment | Major system changes |
| Arrival | Bring indoors and inspect promptly | Leaving parcel outside |
| Acclimation | Follow current instructions | Unnecessarily prolonged opened bag |
| Transfer | Move gently and minimise transport water | Rough chasing |
| First hours | Dim lights and observe quietly | Heavy immediate feeding |
A newly transported fish may initially hide, stay near cover or show softer colour. Those responses should improve in calm stable conditions. Avoid repeatedly moving decor or approaching the glass to force display behaviour.
Record appetite, breathing, swimming control, fin position, waste and interaction with the group. Test water daily where the aquarium's response to the added bioload is uncertain. A written baseline makes real change easier to identify.
Offer a small familiar-style food after settling and remove leftovers. One missed first meal is less concerning than rapid breathing, loss of balance or progressive deterioration. Avoid adding several medicines or supplements in response to ordinary shyness.
Observe fish behaviour, temperature, filter flow and heater operation. Look across the whole group so one quiet individual is not overlooked. Count fish after maintenance and check that the lid and equipment gaps are secure.
Test according to the aquarium's history, remove visible waste and change a consistent portion of conditioned, temperature-matched water. The percentage should respond to stocking, feeding and nitrate trend rather than an arbitrary universal number.
Count fry and reassess adult stock regularly. A spacious aquarium can become crowded as young mature. Arrange responsible homes before capacity is exceeded. Never release fish or aquarium water into drains, ponds or natural waterways.
| Timing | Check | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | Behaviour, feeding, temperature, equipment | Catch changes early |
| Weekly | Water tests, waste, plants, stock count | Set evidence-led maintenance |
| As needed | Filter intake and flow | Clean without losing mature media |
| Monthly review | Adult load and growing fry | Prevent crowding |
Clamped fins, rubbing, inactivity, surface breathing or loss of appetite can have infectious and non-infectious causes. Test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH and temperature, inspect equipment and review recent additions before selecting treatment.
A separate cycled, heated and filtered observation aquarium can protect an established collection and make behaviour easier to monitor. An unheated jar or newly filled container is not quarantine. Use dedicated equipment where cross-contamination matters.
Persistent or worsening signs need advice from an aquatic veterinarian or genuinely qualified fish-health professional. Provide water results, photographs, timeline, recent additions and treatments. This page gives husbandry guidance, not a diagnosis or medication prescription.
Plan for a female up to 6 cm standard length. Not every individual reaches the documented maximum, but using a smaller assumption can create poor adult stocking. Growth depends on genetics, age, feeding, temperature and health and cannot be promised to a timetable.
Colour and body depth can change with maturity and settling. Lighting spectrum also alters how red appears to the eye and camera. The trade name remains useful, but no responsible listing should guarantee an exact future pattern from a juvenile or young adult.
Individual longevity varies with genetics, previous history, reproductive demand, water, nutrition, disease exposure and stress. A simple search-friendly number would not be a guarantee for this fish. The useful commitment is correct adult care for its whole life.
| Female option | Visual direction | Shared planning |
|---|---|---|
| Cobra Red | Orange-red fins with dark Cobra pattern | Pattern varies; one female |
| Red Cap | Warm head-focused marking | Same adult social and water checks |
| Blue Neon | Cool blue ornamental emphasis | Do not mix if line identity matters |
| Green Cobra | Cooler patterned Cobra direction | Compare actual gallery and stock |
| Male Cobra | Smaller body and larger display fins | Courtship and breeding likely with females |
For a warm head-marking alternative, compare the Red Cap Female Guppy. The Blue Neon Female Guppy offers a cooler unpatterned direction, while the Green Cobra Female Guppy provides another Cobra-style comparison. Use each live page's current image, stock and sale unit rather than assuming all strains are interchangeable.
Species identity, family, order, female maximum size, broad temperature range, pH, hardness, diet, social group and minimum aquarium length come from FishBase. Formal taxonomy comes from the California Academy catalogue. Stored sperm and internal fertilisation are supported by direct guppy research indexed on PubMed.
The 22-26°C target narrows a broad species range for stable tropical community care. Approximately 60 litres adds practical water-volume headroom to the documented 60 cm length and group of five or more. Moderate care reflects social, mineral, reproductive and stocking decisions rather than difficulty eating prepared food.
We do not claim exact age, exact pattern, pregnancy, due date, brood number, fixed lifespan, breeder line, exact locality, captive-bred origin, guaranteed adult colour or disease-free status. Where individual provenance is unavailable, uncertainty is stated rather than filled with marketing language.
The product has one live default variant at approximately 3-4 cm. There is no size selector. Each added quantity is one female. A two-fish illustration does not change this sale unit.
If compatible guppies already live in the aquarium, count them toward the social group. If starting from none, plan at least five and confirm the adult capacity before adding quantities. Do not create a group larger than the system can support simply to meet a social minimum.
The live controls are the source of truth for price and availability. Eligible UK livestock orders receive the Live Arrival Guarantee under its current terms. Eligible first-time customers can use WELCOME10 for 10% off. Offer wording does not guarantee a particular pattern, reproductive state or exact gallery fish.
One live female is included for each quantity. The image with two fish does not mean a pair is supplied.
The fish is approximately 3-4 cm at dispatch. The page has one default variant rather than selectable sizes.
Yes, this is the female product listing. Age, previous mating and pregnancy status are not guaranteed.
Plan for an adult female up to 6 cm standard length.
No. Keep at least five compatible guppies in suitable adult space.
Use at least a 60 cm-long aquarium of approximately 60 litres for a female group, with more room for tank mates, males or fry.
Target 22-26°C, pH 7.0-8.0 and 9-19 dGH, with zero ammonia and nitrite.
Yes. A female can store sperm after earlier mating, but that does not prove this fish is pregnant.
No. Pregnancy, due date, brood number and fry survival are not promised.
No. The first is a preserved source reference and four others are representative generated illustrations.
Offer varied small omnivore foods, using a quality complete staple with rotating plant and animal ingredients.
It may suit an informed new keeper with a mature hard-water aquarium, but the social, reproductive and stocking needs justify Moderate care.
| Confirm | Ready standard |
|---|---|
| Cycle | Ammonia 0, nitrite 0 and mature filtration |
| Water | 22-26°C, pH 7.0-8.0 and 9-19 dGH |
| Space | At least 60 cm long and about 60 litres for the female group |
| Social plan | At least five compatible guppies |
| Tank mates | Peaceful, parameter-matched and unable to swallow the fish |
| Fry plan | Possible stored sperm has been considered |
| Delivery | Someone can receive and acclimate promptly |
| Sale unit | One female at approximately 3-4 cm; pattern varies |
When every point is ready, use the live quantity control to order. Explore the guppy shop, the Guppies category or the female guppy collection to compare current alternatives. The right choice is the fish whose adult care already fits the aquarium, not simply the pattern that looks strongest in one image.
18–26°C · pH 6.5–8 · 30L
23–27°C · pH 7.4–8.4 · 1000L
20–24°C · pH 7–8 · 45L
24–28°C · pH 6.5–7.5 · 2000L
24–28°C · pH 5.5–7 · 60L
18–28°C · pH 6.5–8 · 20L
24–27°C · pH 7.5–8.8 · 150L
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 60L
24–28°C
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 500L
28–30°C · pH 5.5–7.5 · 300L
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 150L
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 200L
22–28°C · pH 7–8.5 · 10L
23–27°C · pH 5.5–7.5 · 80L