Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
beginner careOverview
The guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is arguably the world’s most popular aquarium fish, and for good reason — the males are living rainbows, the fish are hardy and cheap, and they are endlessly entertaining. As a livebearer, the guppy gives birth to free-swimming fry rather than laying eggs, which means a mixed group will multiply fast. Manage that one factor and the guppy is a superb beginner fish.
Tank & water
A group is comfortable in 40 litres (10 gallons) or more. Guppies are small but active and benefit from planted cover, especially where fry are present.
- Temperature: 22–28 °C, held with a heater.
- Water: they prefer hard, alkaline water, pH 7.0–8.0; most tap water suits them well.
- Filtration: a gentle filter keeps water clean; baffle strong flow, as long fancy tails struggle against current.
- Planted: floating and fine-leaved plants give fry places to hide.
Feeding
Guppies are omnivores with a lean toward small live foods and some vegetable matter. Feed a good flake or micro-pellet as the staple, with frozen or live daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworm plus the occasional bit of blanched vegetable or algae-based food. A varied diet keeps the males’ colours bright and supports the females through repeated pregnancies. Feed small amounts once or twice a day and avoid overfeeding, which is the most common cause of poor water quality in a guppy tank.
Tankmates
Peaceful and non-aggressive, guppies suit a calm community: platies, mollies, endler’s livebearers, corydoras, small rasboras and snails. Avoid fin-nippers like zebra danios and tiger barbs, which shred their flowing tails, and large or aggressive fish.
Colourful, cheap and forgiving, the guppy is a classic first fish for a cycled tank — see our beginner aquarium picks to get started.
Guppy — frequently asked questions
Will my guppies breed, and how do I manage it?
Almost certainly. Guppies are livebearers that breed very readily, and one pregnant female can produce dozens of fry every few weeks. To avoid being overrun, keep a single sex, or keep more females than males and let tankmates and nature thin the fry — plan for the population before you buy.
Should I keep more male or female guppies?
If you keep both sexes, stock two to three females per male so no single female is constantly harassed. Males are the colourful ones, so many keepers choose an all-male group for colour without the endless fry.
What water do guppies like?
Hard, alkaline water suits guppies best — pH 7.0–8.0 and moderate to high hardness. They are hardy and adaptable, but very soft, acidic water is not ideal for them long term.
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