Guppy
種類 Freshwater fish Poecilia reticulata
Written with AI assistance, not yet checked by a person. Treat the details as a starting point and confirm important decisions with a vet or a breeder.
Overview
A hardy, lively livebearer: males about 3 cm with large colourful tails, females up to 5-6 cm and plainer. Prefers medium to hard water at 22-28 °C. Breeds very easily, so keep males only or plan what to do with the young; with mixed sexes keep 2-3 females per male.
Native to north-eastern South America and islands of the southern Caribbean such as Trinidad. It has been released in many warm countries to control mosquitoes and is now an invasive species in some of them. Fancy strains with huge tails are the result of long selective breeding.
- Purchase price
- Pet quality €2–8
- Care difficulty
- Beginner
- Long, flowing fins
- はい
- Adult body length
- メス 4–6 cm オス 2.5–3.5 cm
- Good with other pets
- Activity pattern
- Diurnal
- Temperament
- Active and peaceful. Males chase females constantly, so give females plants to rest in. Breeding: females give birth to 10-50 live young about every 4 weeks; adults eat fry unless there are dense plants or a breeding box.
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Schooling fish
- いいえ
- Nips the fins of other fish
- いいえ
- Keep only one per tank
- いいえ
Health and common problems
These are common issues for this animal, not a diagnosis. If you are worried about your animal, see a vet.
Columnaris (cotton-wool disease)
Frequency: Uncommon Serious
A bacterial infection that causes white or grey patches on the mouth, skin and gills. It spreads fast in warm water with poor quality and is often confused with fungus.
- Signs to look for
- Fluffy or greyish patches, a white rim around the mouth, a pale band on the back (saddleback), frayed fins, fast breathing.
- When to see a vet
- Quickly, because it can kill within days; antibiotic treatment should be chosen with professional advice.
- First aid
- Do a partial water change, lower the temperature a little within the fish's range and isolate affected fish if possible.
Dropsy
Frequency: Uncommon Serious
Fluid builds up in the body, usually because the kidneys or other organs fail after a long infection or poor water. It is a sign of serious illness, not a disease of its own, and the outlook is often poor.
- Signs to look for
- A swollen belly and scales that stick out like a pine cone, bulging eyes, pale gills, lethargy.
- When to see a vet
- As soon as you see raised scales. Ask for advice also about humane euthanasia if the fish is suffering.
- First aid
- Move the fish to a separate tank with clean water and check the main tank's water quality for the other fish.
Swim bladder disorder
Frequency: Uncommon 中程度
The fish cannot control its buoyancy. It is a symptom rather than one disease: overfeeding and constipation, poor water, infection or body shape (short, round-bodied fancy fish) can all cause it.
- Signs to look for
- Floating at the surface, sinking to the bottom, swimming on the side or head-down, a swollen belly.
- When to see a vet
- If it lasts more than a few days, the scales stick out, or several fish are affected.
- First aid
- Test the water, do a partial water change, and stop feeding for a day or two, then feed small amounts.
Ammonia and nitrite poisoning
Frequency: Common 緊急
Fish waste turns into ammonia and nitrite, which are toxic. In a new tank that is not cycled yet, an overstocked tank, or after the filter bacteria are destroyed, levels rise fast. This is the most common cause of death of new aquarium fish.
- Signs to look for
- Gasping at the surface, red or dark gills, lethargy, clamped fins, sudden deaths, cloudy water.
- Prevention
- Cycle the tank for 4-6 weeks before adding fish, add fish gradually, do not overfeed and test the water weekly.
- When to see a vet
- If fish keep dying after the water tests are normal again. Prevention is cycling the tank for several weeks before adding fish.
- First aid
- Test the water at once, do a large water change (with conditioned water at the same temperature), stop feeding for a day and do not clean the filter in tap water.
Fin rot
Frequency: Common 軽度
Bacteria eat the edges of the fins, usually after poor water quality, injury or stress.
- Signs to look for
- Ragged, shortened or whitish fin edges, red edges at the base.
- How to handle it
- Correct the water first; most mild cases heal. Use medication only if it spreads.
- Prevention
- Keep the water clean with weekly partial changes and avoid fin-nipping tankmates.
- When to see a vet
- If the rot reaches the body or does not improve after the water is corrected.
- First aid
- Test the water and do a partial water change. Keep the tank clean.
Ich (white spot disease)
Frequency: Common 中程度
A common parasite of aquarium fish that shows as small white dots. It spreads fast in a tank and is worse after stress or cold shocks.
- Signs to look for
- White dots on skin and fins, rubbing on objects, clamped fins, fast breathing.
- How to handle it
- Treat the whole tank with an ich product made for aquariums, following the label; remove activated carbon from the filter during treatment.
- Prevention
- Quarantine new fish for 2-4 weeks and avoid sudden temperature drops.
- When to see a vet
- If fish keep dying, or you are not sure which disease it is.
- First aid
- Raise the temperature slowly within what your fish tolerate and follow the instructions of an ich treatment made for aquariums.
Care and maintenance
-
25 % water change
every week
Siphon about 25 % of the water from the bottom and refill with conditioned tap water at the same temperature.
-
Test the water
every week
Check ammonia, nitrite and nitrate (and pH); act on any ammonia or nitrite reading.
-
Rinse the filter sponge
every month
Squeeze the sponge in a bucket of old tank water, never under the tap: tap water kills the useful bacteria. Replace media only in parts.
-
Count the fish and check the temperature
every day
At feeding time count the fish, look for clamped fins, spots or heavy breathing, and read the thermometer. Remove uneaten food after a few minutes.
-
Clean the glass and trim plants
every 2 weeks
Wipe algae from the front glass and remove dead leaves.
ログイン to add these tasks to your reminders for your Guppy.
What it costs
This is an estimate, not a quote. It multiplies typical amounts by typical prices in セルビア. Your real costs depend on the shops, the vet and the animal. Change the assumptions below to match your situation.
Who it gets along with
Worked out from the traits of this animal. Individual animals differ, and introductions should always be slow and supervised.
Usually good with
-
Cats
Based on the typical temperament of Guppy (4/5). -
Dogs
Based on the typical temperament of Guppy (4/5). -
Small pets
Based on the typical temperament of Guppy (4/5). -
Birds
Based on the typical temperament of Guppy (4/5). -
Fish
Based on the typical temperament of Guppy (4/5).
Not enough information about: children, seniors, strangers.
Set-up and food
- Minimum group size
- 3 animals
- Water temperature
- 22–28 °C
- pH
- 7–8
- General hardness (GH)
- 8–20 dGH
- Minimum tank size
- Group of 6 or more 60 l
- Swimming level
- Top
- Needs live plants
- いいえ
- Water flow
- Low
- Diet type
- Omnivore
Guppy group, 60 L
60 L About €160 (estimate)
A 60 L tank with a filter, heater, plenty of fine-leaved and floating plants for fry, and medium to hard water.
- Aquarium tank – 60 L
- Aquarium filter
- Aquarium heater – 50 W
- Aquarium thermometer
- Aquarium light
- 10 × Live plants
- Water conditioner
Equipment
Required
-
Aquarium filter
Keeps the water clean and moving and holds the useful bacteria; sized to the tank. Cycle the tank with the filter running for 4-6 weeks before adding fish. -
Aquarium heater
Holds the water at the right temperature; a thermostat model is the norm. -
Aquarium tank
at least 60 L
Glass or acrylic tank on a stand that carries the full weight (about 1 kg per litre). -
Aquarium thermometer
Checks that the heater works; read it daily. -
Water conditioner
Removes chlorine and chloramine so tap water is safe for fish. -
Water test kit
Drop tests or strips for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH and hardness. Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate; daily during cycling, weekly afterwards.
Recommended
-
Aquarium lid
Stops fish that jump and slows evaporation. -
Aquarium light
LED lighting on a timer, about 8 hours a day; stronger light is needed for demanding plants. -
Gravel siphon and bucket
For water changes and cleaning the substrate; keep the bucket only for the aquarium. -
Live plants
Use up waste, give cover and calm shy fish; easy species need no extra fertiliser.
フード
- Frozen brine shrimp or daphnia – 2-3 times a week.
- Flake food – Small amounts 1-2 times a day.
- Spirulina or vegetable flakes – Several times a week; guppies need plant matter.
Breeding
- Breeding type
- Livebearer
Breeding is a big responsibility. Many animals in shelters are waiting for a home; ask a vet and a breeders association before you plan a litter.
法的情報
Check your local law. Rules about keeping, importing and selling animals differ between countries and regions and change often. What is written here may be out of date; ask your local authority before you buy or adopt.
- General メモ
Never release guppies or their young into ponds, rivers or drains. Releasing non-native fish is illegal in many countries and guppies have become invasive in warm regions.
General information, not veterinary advice. Every animal is an individual. Typical values and costs are estimates. Talk to a vet, a breeder or a shelter before you decide, and see a vet if your animal is unwell.