Are Guppies Hardy? How To Keep Them Healthy
Guppies, these freshwater aquarium fish get along swimmingly with other small to medium freshwater fish, making them a wonderful addition to any aquarium.
Yes, guppies are hardy fish which means that they can survive in different environments. However, the environment must be clean and appropriate for their well-being.
Guppies are definitely hardy, but they are not invincible, and they, like any tropical fish, are susceptible to sickness if kept in improper or bad water conditions.
Guppies are a popular option among aquarists because of their bright colors, low cost, and hardiness. Guppies are readily accessible and come in a rainbow of hues, giving them an endearing exotic tropical look, but are they tough fish? Continue reading to learn whether guppies are hardy fish and, more importantly, what you can do to keep them happy and healthy, as well as other wonderful hardy fish for your aquarium.
Are Guppies a Hardy Breed?
Guppies, in comparison to much other fish available for purchase, are quite resilient. Don’t be fooled into thinking they can handle anything or that they’re the toughest fish you can buy. While guppies may thrive in most environments, they are susceptible to a variety of illnesses.
Furthermore, many individuals feel that guppies aren’t as robust as they formerly were. This might be attributed to poor breeding and genetics, as huge pet businesses are only interested in producing and selling animals for profit. Rather than ensuring that they are producing healthy fish. However, make no mistake: if you’re new to the hobby, they’ll make excellent beginning fish.
What Characterizes Guppies as Tough?
In a nutshell, it’s their genes. Guppies are found in tropical places with reasonably stable climates. This habitat will change round the year, forcing Guppies to adjust to the new conditions. So, naturally Guppies are a bit tougher to withstand varying water conditions. Guppies, for example, like water temperatures of 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit but can endure temperatures as low as 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Granted, there will be setbacks along the road, but they will not kill them.
The same may be said for water oxygenation and other factors. In severe cases, they can go for many days, even up to two weeks, without eating. So, guppies aren’t as weak as you might think. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be concerned about your guppies’ well-being. Even if they are tough, they still require stable habitats to flourish and feel at ease over time.
How to keep your guppies strong?
Your objective as a guppy keeper should be to offer ideal living circumstances for your guppies. This will keep them healthy, active, and comfortable while also increasing their reproduction rates. It will also significantly extend their longevity since guppies kept in ideal circumstances can live for up to two and a half years.
In this regard, here’s how to create the ideal environment for your guppies to thrive:
1. Always Get Your Guppies From A Reputable Vendor
Giving you my personal example, if you buy Guppies from any fish shop then there is a pretty good chance that those Guppies are genetically weak because many stores breed fish just for the sake of selling. And, if you buy these fish then be ready for mourning in the near future. In my initial days of Guppy breeding, I experienced such loses but then I resorted towards fish buying from reputable stores who can offer warranty for their fish. It appears apparently pricey but it is actually a very nice trade off. However, I am breeding my own Guppies over the years. This is how I can ensure the good genetic pool of my Guppies.
I will also recommend you to breed your own Guppies after buying them from a trusted fish store.
2. Treating Diseases at the Right Time
Along the journey, guppies may catch a number of ailments. This isn’t the end of the world if you take action quickly. Some of these ailments can be cured in their early stages, while others cannot. Learning to tell the difference might save a sick guppy’s life, and it will almost certainly save the guppy population. Here are some of the most common guppy diseases to look out for and how to treat them before they become worse:
Can be treated with copper treatment if your veterinarian recommends it.
b. Ick (White Spots)
Raise the temperature of the water to around 80 degrees F, add aquarium salt to the tank, and replace the water more frequently. There’s also a specific prescription to think about that will help in the vast majority of situations.
c. Fin Rot
A bacterial infection causes this illness, which can be difficult to identify. At the first indication of Fin Rot, isolate the fish and treat it with an antibiotic as directed by your veterinarian.
d. Dropsy
This is a potentially infectious condition that causes bloating in your fish. Copper medicine can be used to cure it, but the ill fish must first be quarantined. This will keep the disease from spreading further.
Many illnesses can be cured if caught early enough, but not all of them are. If you wish to safeguard the remainder of the guppy population, you’ll have to resort to euthanasia.
8. Tank Maintenance on a Regular Basis
You’ll need to replace the water at least once a week, with a 35 percent to 50 percent change each time. This will provide enough oxygenation and low TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) levels in the water. You should also remove any algae, dead or decaying plants, and plant remnants from the tank, as well as clean the substrate. These precautions are important to preserve your guppies’ comfort and avoid any health problems.
For example, food leftovers may decompose in the tank, boosting ammonia levels and causing ammonia poisoning. A similar thing will happen if the dead fish in the aquarium is not removed.
9. Supplying High-Quality Food
As Guppies are omnivores so they require a broad diet that includes both animal and plant-based elements. When it comes to guppy feeding, however, most people overlook the quality of the food. To put it frankly, commercially produced fish food is sub-optimal. You may have some flakes and veggie pellets on hand, but don’t rely on these for your guppies’ nutrition.
You should also consider feeding guppies live food, which closely resembles their natural diet. It’s also healthy and fresh, and your guppies will like it. Your guppies’ immune systems will be strengthened, their growth will be accelerated, and their coloring will improve with a well-balanced and nutrient-rich food. Just be careful not to overfeed them.
On average, adult guppies should eat 1 to 2 meals each day.
10. No Stress/ bullying for you Guppies
Your guppies may be stressed for a variety of reasons, the most obvious of which is bullying. Bullying is particularly common in mixed aquariums when guppies cohabit alongside larger or more aggressive fish. They might be both bigger and more aggressive at the same time.
I’ve previously written a post about how to keep guppies from bullying each other. Check it out since it has a lot of helpful information.
Bullying can make your guppies anxious, which can compromise their immune system and make them susceptible to infections. Verify the dynamics of your tank and seek indicators of antagonism and bullying to avoid this problem.
Increase the tank’s size, add plants and hiding locations for the bullied, restrict the number of males, and make sure everyone feeds adequately to solve the problem.
11. Guppies need company
Guppies aren’t supposed to be lonely creatures, and if you keep one alone, it will get anxious. This implies that their immune system will be impaired, and they will be less resilient than they should be. The number of guppies you may maintain is determined by the tank’s size. As a general rule, you should never keep fewer than three guppies in a tank.
A Complete Guide How to Guppy Fish Keep Healthy?
1. Is it True That Guppy Fish Require Little Attention?
Guppies are low-maintenance compared to other tropical fish. To keep happy and healthy, guppies don’t require much from you. Here’s how to keep a guppy population healthy and stable:
2. Adult Guppies Only Require One Or Two Meals Each Day
So feed them a constant and well-balanced diet. Give them as much food as they can consume in one minute and then remove the remainder. Non-consumed food will accumulate on the substrate and decay, contaminating the water.
3. Weekly Water Changes
Changing roughly half of the water every week is critical for maintaining the cleanliness of the water and increasing oxygenation. It will take very little work on your behalf, but the rewards will be immense.
4. Maintain The Tank On A Regular Basis
The frequency of tank care is determined by the size, setup, and a number of fish in the tank. Regularly cleaning the tank can prevent algae development, reduce ammonia levels, and keep your guppies happy.
5. Maintain Proper Water Temperatures
Guppies are tropical fish that thrive in warm, consistent water. Their preferred temperature range is 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. They can withstand certain changes, but not large ones, and certainly not for long periods of time. Your guppies will flourish if you keep the water within acceptable specifications.
Aside from that, maintain a healthy male-to-female ratio of 1 to 3 and maintain steady tank dynamics, and you should be OK. I also propose installing a filter and continuously monitoring the ammonia and nitrate levels. This will help you to see any abnormalities early on and intervene before things get out of hand.
Are Guppies a Good Starter Pet?
Guppies are an excellent choice for novices. For a multitude of reasons, guppies are the preferred breed of all fish enthusiasts. These are some of them:
- A pleasant, calm, and cheerful demeanor
- They’ll show up in a rainbow of colors and patterns.
- They reproduce every month, giving birth to a large number of children.
- Guppies get along swimmingly with a wide range of other fish.
- They are a sturdy breed that can withstand a wide range of environmental changes.
- Guppies can live up to 2.5 years if given good care.
- Guppies are inexpensive
There are a variety of guppy strains available at reasonable rates, each with its own set of characteristics and DNA. Guppies are also a good choice for folks who don’t have a lot of free time. You just have to feed them once a day, and you only have to clean their tank once a week. Apart from that, guppies don’t expect much from you. This makes them incredibly low-maintenance, which is ideal for first-time tank owners who are bound to make a lot of mistakes. If that’s the case, purchase some guppies; they’re more resilient than any other breed when it comes to catastrophes.
What other Fish Can You Find That is Hardy?
While guppies are resilient, the prevailing assumption is that they aren’t as hardy as they formerly were in most circumstances. Inbreeding and poor genetics are the major causes. If you’re not sure if guppies are right for your community tank, here are some more wonderful options.
1. Mollies
Mollies are another resilient fish that will enhance the appearance of your aquarium. However, because of their great size, they should not be kept in tanks smaller than 15 gallons. They come in a wide range of colors, making them just as attractive as guppies. Some molly species, like balloon mollies, should be avoided. They are more susceptible to illness and disease because of their appearance.
2. Bettas
If you’re just starting out, bettas are another great resilient fish to consider. In fact, the first fish I ever kept was a betta. While they’re tough fish, don’t believe anyone who promises you they can live in vases without filters or heaters. They require as much care as other fish, but if you provide them with the proper care, they are quite easy to maintain alive.
3. Danios Zebra
Zebra danios are among the toughest fish you can choose for your aquarium. These are definitely the greatest fish to select if you’re a complete newbie. They’re frequently utilized for in-fish-tank cycles since they can withstand tough circumstances (though this isn’t encouraged). They’re definitely your best choice if you’re seeking hardy fish.
4. Platies
Platies may grow up to 3 inches in length, live up to 5 years, and eat mostly omnivorous foods. Their tough character and calm demeanor make them ideal for novices.
5. Swordtails
Are members of the Poeciliidae family, which includes guppies. They are a hardy breed with a wide range of colors and patterns. In ideal conditions, the swordtail may reach 5.5 inches in length and survive for up to 5 years.
6. Tetra Neon
Small, colorful, vivacious, and versatile. The Neon Tetra is the go-to breed for beginner fish breeders because of this. Their calm demeanor helps them to get along with a broad range of fish species.
The Bottom Line on Are Guppies Hardy?
You now know that guppies are usually resilient fish. That being said, they aren’t quite as hardy as they formerly were. Zebra danios are your best pick if you’re searching for sturdy fish, but if you take care of your guppies and tank, they’ll be OK. Of course, the most essential thing is to make sure your tank’s water conditions are good, and your guppies will be OK.
