Guppy

How to Care For Guppies

Guppies are one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish, but they do need special care. This includes a large tank, a variety of plants, hiding spots and plenty of water quality monitoring and changes to keep the water healthy. Guppies also require specialized diets to help them thrive and grow into vibrant adults.

Identifying the Desired Trait The first step in breeding guppies for color or pattern is to select a pair that display the desired traits. A good ratio to aim for is 1:2 or 1:3. Having more males than females reduces stress on the females, and it will help ensure that any eggs produced are fertilized.

Once the guppies have been mated, it's important to separate them. This helps to protect the fry from cannibalistic adult guppy fish and other potential predators. Fry can be moved into a separate "nursery" tank, breeding boxes or simply in a container with a screen on the bottom. The tank should be filled with substrate, like java moss or water sprite, and a few decorations or plants to provide hiding spots and reduce stress. The tank should be kept warm, with a temperature between 75-82 degrees Fahrenheit (24-28 Celsius). Fry are fed several times a day, usually in small quantities of finely crushed flakes or special guppie food, such as newly hatched brine shrimp.

The guppies will need regular water changes, but it's not recommended to change the entire tank's water volume as this can remove beneficial bacteria that keep the aquarium ecosystem healthy. Rather, it's better to drain a quarter of the aquarium's water each week, then replace it with clean, conditioned water.