All species
fishbeginner
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
A colorful, livebearing fish that breeds constantly — plan for fry before you start.
1.5–2.5 in2–3 years
Habitat
Enclosure
10 gal minimum · 1 male per 2–3 females
Temperature
72–78°F
Humidity / Water
Freshwater · pH 7.0–8.0
Heating & lighting
Reliable heater and stable water — guppies are hardy but hate swings. Floating plants give fry somewhere to hide.
Diet
Feed these
- Flake food
- Micro pellets
- Frozen brine shrimp
- Blanched zucchini
Never feed
- Overfeeding
- Uncrushed flakes for fry
- A single food type only (nutrition gaps)
Small pinches once or twice a day. Females give birth every 30 days — keep plants dense or the adults will eat the fry.
Cohabitation
Can live with
Neon tetras Corydoras catfish Mollies and platies Other guppies — 1 male per 2–3 females
Never house with
Betta — mistakes them for rival bettas Oscar — eaten Angelfish — nipped or eaten
Males relentlessly chase females — a 1:2 or 1:3 ratio stops females being harassed to death. Expect babies every month.
