How to Care for Pet Guppies

Guppies have become popular aquarium fish all over the world. If you've only seen the pale green versions of this fish, you may be surprised to learn that there are many diversely colorful versions of the species, which is why so many aquarium owners covet them.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bare bottom tank
• Water
• Box filters
• Fish food
• Fluorescent light bulbs
• Siphon vacuum
• Colored rock
• Crushed coral

1. Prepare a bare fish tank by filling it with at least five gallons of water. Help maintain healthy water for your guppies by getting two box filters that contain either filter floss, marbles or dolomite. Place the tank in an area in your home that risks the least damage from falling items.

2. Give your baby guppies proper nutrition by feeding them five small meals a day. Feed them either baby brine shrimp or live white worms. You can get both foods in most fish-supply stores.

3. Make sure your guppies get up to eight hours of light a day. To get better results, purchase a lamp that uses fluorescent light bulbs.

4. Maintain high-quality water in the tank; poor water quality is the major cause of death for guppies. Watch the water pH levels, the tank's equivalent to chlorine, which shouldn't exceed 8.2. If the pH level is higher, the guppies have a hard time breathing. Clean the tank with a siphon vacuum once a week to remove any harmful waste and prevent any damage to the tank or the guppies.

5. Create a comforting environment for your guppies. Make the tank look as much like their natural habitat as possible. Include such items as colored rock or dead crushed coral to help your guppies adjust better to their surroundings.

Tips & Warnings

• Guppies mature quickly and become sexually active within six weeks of birth.
• Don't mix different types of guppies in the same tank because the fish will try to breed with each other. Mixed breeding produces a high ratio of complications during birthing.
• Don't put a single female guppy in a tank full of males because she'll become exhausted and die from repeated breeding attempts. Always put in more female than male guppies in the tank to prevent overbreeding on the female.
• Never put adult guppies in the same tank as baby guppies because the adults will eat them.

[lnmchristian]

on 2/27/2009 Can I put my single goldfish in with my guppies?

[newbiegirl89]

on 9/30/2008 MY PH IS AT 8.2 MY CHLORINE IS AT O AND MY TOTAL ALKALINITY IS AT 180

[newbiegirl89]

on 9/30/2008 i want just cleaned out my fish tank and did a 30% WATER CHANGE 4 DAYS AGO SO I'M WONDERING IF THAT CAUSED THE GUPPIES MY AUNT GAVE ME TO DIE. I STILL HAVE A FEW OF THEM BUT NOT MANY. WHAT CAN I DO TO STABILIZE MY TANK?

[newbiegirl89]

on 9/30/2008 i have a question. i had 4 guppies in my 30 gallon tank. i've had my tank up and running for about 3 months now. my aunt gave me 20 more guppies 3 days ago. but evryday i see a few dead guppies. whats going on? i need help.

[fishey]

on 8/17/2008 What are box filters?Where do I get them?