Guppy Fish Care Guide

Guppies (Poecilia reticulata) are one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish thanks to their bright colors, active personalities, and ease of care. They are a great choice for both beginners and experienced aquarists.

✅ Tank Requirements

• Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons for a small group. Larger tanks are better for breeding colonies.

• Schooling Fish: Guppies are social and do best in groups of at least 3–6.

• Cover: Add plants (live or artificial) to provide hiding spots and reduce stress.

️ Water Parameters

• Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)

• pH: 6.8–7.8 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline)

• Hardness: 8–12 dGH (moderately hard water preferred)

• Filtration: Gentle filtration is best since guppies don’t like strong currents.

• Water Changes: Perform 25–30% weekly water changes to maintain water quality.

️ Diet & Feeding

Guppies are omnivores and need a balanced diet for bright colors and health.

• Staple Foods: High-quality flake food or micro pellets.

• Supplement Foods: Frozen or live brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, mosquito larvae.

• Vegetable Matter: Spirulina flakes or blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach).

• Feeding Frequency: 1–2 small feedings per day; avoid overfeeding.

Tank Setup & Décor

• Substrate: Gravel or sand works well.

• Plants: Live plants like hornwort, java moss, or anacharis help oxygenate and give fry cover.

• Décor: Provide open swimming space with a few caves or decorations.

• Lighting: Moderate lighting to enhance guppy colors and plant growth.

Tank Mates

Guppies are peaceful community fish.

• Good Tank Mates: Tetras, mollies, platies, corydoras catfish, peaceful snails, and shrimp.

• Avoid: Aggressive or fin-nipping fish (like tiger barbs or bettas).

Breeding

• Guppies are livebearers, meaning females give birth to free-swimming fry.

• Males are smaller and more colorful; females are larger with a rounded belly.

• Provide dense plants or breeding boxes to protect fry from being eaten.

• Guppies breed very easily, so be prepared for population growth!

❤️ General Care Tips

• Keep guppies in stable, clean water conditions.

• Maintain a balanced male-to-female ratio (1 male : 2–3 females) to reduce stress.

• Watch for common health issues like fin rot or ich.

• With proper care, guppies can live 2–3 years.

Summary

Guppies are colorful, hardy, and endlessly entertaining. With a proper tank setup, clean water, and a balanced diet, they thrive and often reward aquarists with generations of healthy fry. They’re an ideal fish for anyone looking to add beauty and activity to their aquarium.