The Dumbo Ear Guppy (also called Dumbo Guppy or Big Ear Guppy) is a selectively bred variety of guppy (Poecilia reticulata), named for its unusually large, elephant-ear-like pectoral fins. These guppies are prized for their unique appearance, vivid colors, and peaceful behavior, making them a favorite in freshwater aquariums.

🐠 Overview

🐘 Why "Dumbo Ear"?

• Named after Dumbo the Elephant due to their large, rounded pectoral fins that resemble elephant ears.

• These fins move constantly and gracefully, adding to their charm.

• The trait is hereditary and selectively bred from guppies showing larger-than-normal pectoral fins.

🎨 Appearance

• Pectoral Fins: Enlarged and prominent, typically rounded or semi-round

• Tail Shape: Varies—can be fan, delta, halfmoon, or lyretail

• Color Variants:

  • Blue Dumbo

  • Purple Dumbo

  • Red Dumbo

  • Mosaic, Albino, Galaxy, or Koi Dumbo strains

• Body: Slender in males, more robust in females (due to pregnancy)

🧬 Behavior and Temperament

• Temperament: Peaceful, social, active

• Schooling: Prefer groups of at least 5–6

• Tank Level: Mid to top dwellers

• Compatibility: Ideal with other peaceful fish like:

  • Mollies, Platies, Tetras, Rasboras

  • Corydoras, Shrimp, Snails

  • Avoid fin-nippers (e.g., Tiger Barbs, Serpae Tetras)

🏠 Tank Requirements

Provide plants, hiding spots, and open swimming space. Floating plants are great too.

🍽️ Diet

• Type: Omnivore

• Staple Foods:

  • High-quality guppy pellets or flakes

  • Freeze-dried or frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia

  • Blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach, peas)

• Feeding Schedule: 1–2 times daily, small amounts

Avoid overfeeding—guppies can develop digestive issues easily.

❤️ Health & Lifespan

• Lifespan: 2–3 years; good genetics and tank care can extend this to 4–5 years.

🥚 Breeding

• Type: Livebearers (females give birth to free-swimming fry)

• Gestation Period: ~28 days

• Male-to-Female Ratio: 1 male to 2–3 females (to reduce stress)

• Breeding Behavior: Males constantly court females

• Fry Care:

  • Separate or heavily plant tank to prevent adult predation

  • Feed fry powdered food, infusoria, or baby brine shrimp

A single female can birth 20–50 fry per cycle.

✅ Pros & Cons

🧠 Fun Facts

• Dumbo guppies are not a separate species, but a designer morph of the common guppy.

• The dumbo trait is recessive—breeding dumbo to non-dumbo often loses the trait.

• Despite their fins, they are fast swimmers and great in groups.

📌 Quick Summary