The Red Tuxedo Guppy is one of the most popular tuxedo strains, known for its vivid red body color contrasted with a deep black base. Hardy, adaptable, and visually stunning, it’s a favorite among hobbyists.
Quick Navigation
➜ Appearance & Traits
➜ Tank Setup & Water Parameters
➜ Diet & Feeding
➜ Behavior & Tank Mates
➜ Breeding & Lifespan
➜ Female Red Tuxedo Guppy
➜ Red Golden Tuxedo Guppy
➜ Female Red Golden Tuxedo Guppy
➜ Red Koi Tuxedo Guppy
➜ Female Red Koi Tuxedo Guppy
➜ Blonde Tuxedo Guppy
➜ Female Blonde Tuxedo Guppy
➜ Buying a Red Tuxedo Guppy
➜ Frequently Asked Questions
If you enjoy vibrant tuxedo strains, you may also like our blue tuxedo guppy guide.
Appearance & Traits
• Males: slender, with brighter red upper bodies and longer flowing fins.
• Females: larger, more rounded, with softer red tones.
• Distinct tuxedo pattern: deep black lower body resembling a suit.
• Average size: males ~1.5 in, females ~2.5–3 in.
• Lifespan: 2–3 years in good conditions.
Learn more in our male vs female guppy guide.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Red Tuxedo Guppies thrive in planted tanks with open swimming space.
• Tank size: 10–15 gallons for a small colony.
• Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C).
• pH: 6.8–7.8.
• Filtration: sponge filter or gentle HOB filter to avoid stressing fry.
• Plants: Java moss, Anubias, floating plants (provide shelter + breeding cover).
See our guppy water parameters guide.
Diet & Feeding
A varied diet keeps colors vibrant:
• Staples: guppy flakes, micro-pellets.
• Protein: live/frozen brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms.
• Color boost: carotenoid-rich foods (krill, spirulina).
• Feeding: 2–3 times daily in small amounts.
See our best guppy food guide.
Behavior & Tank Mates
• Peaceful, active swimmers.
• Ideal companions: mollies, platies, neon tetras, corydoras, shrimp.
• Avoid: fin-nippers (barbs, some gouramis).
• Schooling fish, keep in groups of 6+.
See our guppy tank mates guide.
Breeding & Lifespan
Red Tuxedo Guppies are prolific livebearers.
• Gestation: ~28 days.
• Fry count: 20–40 per cycle.
• Use a breeder box or dense plants for fry survival.
• Lifespan: 2–3 years; good diet extends lifespan.
Learn more from our guppy breeding guide and guppy fry care guide.
Female Red Tuxedo Guppy
Female Red Tuxedo Guppies are an essential part of this vibrant strain, easily recognized by their larger body size and more subdued coloration compared to males. While males boast brighter crimson hues and longer fins, females typically display a softer red tone across the upper body with a distinctive tuxedo-black base.
• Size: 2.5–3 inches, making them larger than males (1.5–2 inches).
• Color: lighter red or peach on the upper body, with black or dark fins.
• Markings: females often show subtle tuxedo shading rather than sharp contrasts.
• Gravid Spot: a dark triangular mark near the anal fin, especially visible during pregnancy.
For pregnancy signs, read our pregnant guppy guide.
Red Golden Tuxedo Guppy
Red Golden Tuxedo Guppies are known for their vibrant red and golden coloration combined with unique tuxedo-like markings. The tuxedo pattern creates a sharp contrast between the lighter front half and darker rear half of the body, making them highly attractive in aquariums.
Males are typically smaller, reaching about 2 inches, but display brighter colors and longer fins. Females grow slightly larger and carry the same graceful red-gold tuxedo appearance.
Female Red Golden Tuxedo Guppy
The Female Red Golden Tuxedo Guppy is a beautiful livebearer known for its warm golden body and subtle red coloration. Unlike the brightly colored males, females display softer shades of gold, cream, and light red, creating an elegant appearance that complements the males.
Female Red Golden Tuxedo Guppies typically grow larger than males, reaching around 2–2.5 inches in length. They have a rounded body shape and a fan-shaped tail that may show hints of red, orange, or gold depending on their genetics.
Red Koi Tuxedo Guppy
The term “Koi Tuxedo Guppy” refers to a color pattern that combines traits of both Koi and Tuxedo guppies. These fish exhibit a blend of white, red, orange, yellow, black, and blue-black coloration similar to ornamental koi fish.
Their fins often display a striking mix of colors, making them one of the most eye-catching tuxedo varieties.
Female Red Koi Tuxedo Guppy
Female Koi Tuxedo Guppies exhibit similar coloration and patterning to their male counterparts, often with softer colors and shorter fins.
The body of Female Koi Tuxedo Guppies may display a combination of red, orange, yellow, black, and white arranged in patterns resembling those of koi fish. Females display a dark gravid spot near the rear anal region which becomes darker as pregnancy progresses.
Blonde Tuxedo Guppy
Male Blonde Tuxedo Guppies are admired for their elegant golden-blonde coloration and distinctive tuxedo pattern. Their bodies typically display shades of cream, gold, light orange, and pale red, while the rear half features darker tuxedo markings that create a striking contrast. The long flowing tail and dorsal fin further enhance their attractive appearance.
Male Blonde Tuxedo Guppies are smaller and more colorful than females, usually growing to about 1.5–2 inches in length. They are active swimmers, peaceful in community aquariums, and constantly display their vibrant fins while courting females. With proper care and a nutritious diet, male Blonde Tuxedo Guppies can maintain their bright coloration and live for approximately 2–3 years.
Female Blonde Tuxedo Guppy
Female Blonde Tuxedo Guppies typically exhibit similar coloration and patterning to their male counterparts.
The body of Female Blonde Tuxedo Guppies displays soft golden-blonde coloration combined with the classic tuxedo pattern. Although females are generally less vibrant than males, they still showcase attractive shades of cream, gold, and light orange across the body and fins. Female Blonde Tuxedo Guppies are larger and fuller-bodied than males and can grow up to 2–2.5 inches in length.
Buying a Red Tuxedo Guppy
Red Tuxedo Guppies and their color variants are widely available through breeders, online sellers, and local stores. Here’s what to expect on price, and where to actually find them.
Typical Prices
• Red Tuxedo: $13–$25 per pair
• Red Golden Tuxedo: $8–$15 per pair
• Red Koi Tuxedo: $6–$13 per pair
• Blonde Tuxedo: $7–$15 per pair
Since guppies are schooling fish kept in groups of 6 or more, budget for the full group rather than a single pair, plus a 10-15 gallon tank, filter, and basic plants if you are setting up fresh.
Where to Buy
• Local fish stores: check your nearest pet or aquarium specialty store’s livestock section, or call ahead to ask if they stock tuxedo guppies specifically, since not every store carries them
• Online specialty breeders: search for variants online. Many sellers ship live fish, but exercise caution, check reviews, live arrival guarantees, and seller reputation before ordering
• Facebook groups and hobbyist communities: search Facebook for guppy-specific hobbyist groups in your region, or groups dedicated to livebearers, where local sellers regularly post available fish
Whichever route you choose, check that the fish are active, fully finned, and free of visible spots or clamped fins before buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Red Tuxedo Guppy cost?
The base Red Tuxedo Guppy runs $13–$25 per pair. Red Golden Tuxedo is generally more affordable at $8–$15, Red Koi Tuxedo runs $6–$13, and Blonde Tuxedo runs $7–$15 per pair.
What’s the difference between Red Tuxedo, Red Golden, Red Koi, and Blonde Tuxedo Guppies?
The base Red Tuxedo has a vivid solid red body with a black tuxedo rear half. Red Golden combines red and golden tones with the same tuxedo contrast. Red Koi blends white, red, orange, yellow, and black in a pattern resembling ornamental koi fish. Blonde Tuxedo has a soft golden-blonde body rather than red, paired with the same tuxedo shading.
How can I tell a male from a female Red Tuxedo Guppy?
Males are smaller and more vividly colored with longer fins. Females are larger, softer in color, and carry a dark gravid spot near the rear vent, covered in the Appearance & Traits and Female Red Tuxedo Guppy sections above.
Are Red Tuxedo Guppies easy to care for?
Yes. All four varieties share the same core care requirements, stable water between 72-82°F, a filtered 10-15 gallon tank, and a varied diet, covered in the Tank Setup section above.
Do Red Tuxedo Guppies breed easily?
Yes. Like all guppies, they’re livebearers and breed readily in a healthy tank, typically producing 20–40 fry per cycle.
