Guppy care

Water temperature

72–82°F

A guppy wants water at 72–82°F, pH 6.8–7.8, and a tank of 10 gallons or bigger. Good tank mates include mystery snails, corydoras, kuhli loaches.

Males' big tails attract fin nippers. Keep two or three females per male.

Poecilia reticulata

pH

6.8–7.8

Minimum tank

10 gal

Adult size

2.0 in

Temperament

Peaceful

Group

Groups of 3+

Lifespan

2–3 years

Swims at

Top

Diet

Omnivore

Best tank mates

• Mystery snailYes
• CorydorasYes
• Kuhli loachYes
• PlatyYes
• Harlequin rasboraYes
• OtocinclusYes
• Neon tetraYes
• Rainbow sharkYes
• SwordtailYes
• Cardinal tetraYes
• MollyYes
• Zebra danioYes

Full guppy tank mate chart: 57 yes, 18 with care, 23 no

Guppy water compared

Fish to keep away from guppies

• Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); guppies need 72–82°F. No temperature suits both.
• Pea puffer Pea puffers nip fins, and the long fins of guppies are an easy target.
• Angelfish An adult angelfish is twice the size of a guppy and will hunt or batter a slow, long-finned fish like this.
• Tiger barb Tiger barbs nip fins, and the long fins of guppies are an easy target.
• Goldfish Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); guppies need 72–82°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
• GloFish tetra Glofish nip fins, and the long fins of guppies are an easy target.
• Oscar An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches guppies do.
• Convict cichlid Convict cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful guppies.

More livebearers

• Platy70–80°F
• Molly72–82°F
• Swordtail72–79°F
• Endler's livebearer72–82°F