Guppies Swim Into Limelight at Show, Sale

While guppies can be joys for children to own, these small, brightly colored fish can be equally fascinating to adults who may remember them as “the fish of the ‘50s.”

The guppy hobby has grown more sophisticated through the years, and guppy fans can explore its secrets by attending the Pan Pacific Guppy Assn. Annual Guppy Show and Auction today and Sunday at Ramada Inn in Diamond Bar.

At this guppy event, which celebrates the popular tropical fish, you can chat with guppy experts and breeders from all over the country, gather information regarding the care and keeping of healthy guppies, and, thus inspired, pick up a pair of guppies of your own to exercise your new-found expertise.

Association members expect hundreds of guppies of all sizes and colors to be displayed and sold. They also hope to recruit new members to their organization, which, as part of the larger International Fancy Guppy Assn., holds meetings and special events throughout the year to further the quality of guppy care and breeding.

If you have already joined the ranks of guppy enthusiasts, you can enter qualified fish in the show by noon today . The show will offer 70 competitive categories, including classes for tail shapes, body colors and body patterns.

There is a real need for such a wide variety of competitive classes: Guppies are found in a rainbow of vibrant colors, from reds to blues to greens. Equally important guppy trademarks are the fish’s long, train-like tails that flow gently behind them as they swim through the water.

Male guppies are more brightly colored than their female counterparts, but potential owners attending the Pan Pacific show and auction need not miss out on either gender. The fish will be sold in pairs, in case a buyer would like to try breeding guppies and become even more involved in the hobby.

Guppies, in the wild and in captivity, are hardy and quick to reproduce. But experts warn beginners who may wish to make a trek to the fish’s native South American habitat to pick up a few “natural” guppies, that the fins and colors of wild guppies are not nearly as spectacular as those of guppies bred in captivity.

Guppies were introduced to captivity when they were discovered in Trinidad in 1866 by an Englishman named R.J.L. Guppy. The fish were christened with their founder’s name when he brought them home to England, and the rest is guppy history. Guppies continue to reign as one of the most popular aquarium fish, appealing to both beginners and experts.

Ronnie Hongo of the Pan Pacific Guppy Assn. has been a guppy hobbyist for more than 10 years. Now in charge of a dozen guppy tanks, Hongo describes his collection as moderate in size.

“Guppies are freshwater fish that are fairly easy to care for,” said Hongo. “What attracts people to guppies is that a lot of people who got involved with them as children see guppies again as adults. This kindles an interest from something they knew as kids.”

So if you’re looking for a new family hobby or want a pet but live in a “no pets allowed” building, a pair of guppies may be the answer.

Remember, too, that research has shown aquarium fish are stress relievers. Most people can use some stress relief--and perhaps a little nostalgia--from time to time.

* Pan-Pacific Guppy Assn. of the International Fancy Guppy Assn. Exhibition, Contest and Auction, today and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., auction Sunday 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Ramada Inn, 259 Gentle Springs Lane, Diamond Bar, (213) 390-4718. Free. For more information on the show or the guppy association, call Ronnie Hongo, (213) 685-6615.