Guppy

Guppies, also known as Million Fish, are one of the most popular and beginner-friendly aquarium fish. These livebearing fish are famous for their brilliant colors, active personalities, and ease of breeding. Males display stunning tail patterns while females are larger and less colorful. Guppies are incredibly hardy, adaptable, and perfect for new aquarists learning the hobby.

Care Requirements

Tank Setup

Guppies are very adaptable but thrive in well-maintained tanks:

• Minimum 5 gallons (10+ recommended for groups)
• Gentle filter (avoid strong currents)
• Heater to maintain 72-82°F
• Plenty of plants (real or silk) for hiding and breeding
• Open swimming space

Ideal Setup: 10-20 gallon planted tank with floating plants for fry to hide.

Water Quality

• Temperature: 72-82°F (22-28°C)
• pH: 6.8-7.8 (adaptable to wide range)
• Water Hardness: Moderate (8-20 dGH)
• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: <40 ppm

Guppies are tolerant of various conditions but do best in stable, clean water. Weekly 25% water changes are recommended.

Feeding

Guppies are omnivores with small mouths:

• High-quality tropical flakes or micro pellets
• Frozen foods: daphnia, bloodworms, brine shrimp
• Vegetables: spirulina flakes, blanched zucchini
• Live foods: baby brine shrimp, micro worms

Feeding Schedule: Small amounts 2-3 times daily. They have small stomachs and do better with frequent small meals.

Behavior & Compatibility

Guppies are peaceful community fish that work well with:

• Other livebearers (Platies, Mollies, Swordtails)
• Small tetras (Neon Tetra, Cardinal Tetra)
• Rasboras (Harlequin, Chili)
• Corydoras Catfish
• Dwarf Gourami (careful with males)

Avoid:

• Fin-nippers (Tiger Barbs may nip flowing tails)
• Aggressive fish (Bettas, Cichlids)
• Large fish (Angelfish, Oscars will eat them)

Breeding

Guppies are prolific breeders - expect babies!

• Livebearers: Give birth to 20-40 fry every 30 days
• Sexing: Males are smaller with colorful tails; females larger with gravid spot
• Ratio: Keep 2-3 females per male to prevent harassment

Breeding Tips:

• Females can store sperm for multiple pregnancies
• Provide dense plant cover for fry survival
• Separate pregnant females if you want higher survival rates
• Fry eat crushed flakes or baby brine shrimp

Common Health Issues

1. Fin Rot: Often from poor water quality; improve water changes
2. Ich: White spots; treat with temperature and medication
3. Swim Bladder Issues: From overfeeding; fast and feed peas
4. Internal Parasites: Causes wasting; treat with anti-parasitic medication
5. Flukes: Scratching behavior; treat with anti-parasitic

Male vs Female

• Males: 1-1.5 inches, vibrant colors, flowing tails, slender body
• Females: 2-2.5 inches, dull colors, shorter tails, rounder body, gravid spot when pregnant

Tank Mates

Best kept in groups of 3+ (ideally 1 male to 2-3 females). Good community tank mates include:

• Corydoras (bottom dwellers, different zone)
• Tetras (schooling fish, different swimming level)
• Rasboras (peaceful, similar size)
• Other Livebearers (Platies, peaceful)

Tips for Success

• Start with 2-3 females per male to prevent stress
• Add floating plants for fry to hide
• Feed varied diet for best colors
• Keep water clean but don’t over-clean
• Acclimate slowly when introducing to tank
• Quarantine new fish (they can carry diseases)
• Expect babies - have a plan for fry!

Interesting Facts

• Originally from South America (Trinidad, Venezuela, Barbados)
• Named after Robert John Lechmere Guppy who discovered them
• Can reproduce at 3-4 months old
• Come in endless color variations (cobra, tuxedo, mosaic, etc.)
• Males display constantly to attract females