Guppy Fish Care

Guppy fish are popular freshwater aquarium fish and their pretty, colorful looks attract a lot of people who eventually have breed in their aquariums. The guppy fish belong to the family of fish known as Poeciliidae, and are commonly found in northern Brazil, Guyana, and Trinidad. Male guppies are comparatively more attractive than the female guppies. They have fancy patterns and come in a variety of colors. Caring, breeding and looking after guppies is easy and not much is required to be done. They are quite a hardy lot and adjust well to changing conditions, but regular care is very important for them. So, if you are planning to get some guppies for your aquarium, here's what you should do for guppy care tips.

Guppy Fish Care

It is not only about their survival, but also about them living healthy and comfortably. In order to care for guppies appropriately, you will need to arrange for a suitable tank and their food. Follow the guidelines below to set up an atmosphere suitable for guppies.

Guppy Fish Tank
Arranging for a suitable fish tank or aquarium is the most important aspect of guppies care. They have specific tank and water requirements necessary for their survival as well as their health. They need at least a ten gallon tank or a ten gallon aquarium, even if you bring in baby guppies. When they grow up fully, they will require that kind of space. If you intend on purchasing another tank and shifting the guppies once they have grown older, then a five gallon tank would suffice. Also consider the number of guppies that you will keep in the tank before you purchase one. If you intend on not breeding male and female guppies but still want to have them, you will need to maintain them in separate tanks.

Tank Maintenance
Maintaining and cleaning the guppy fish tank regularly is of utmost importance for their health. The aquarium water temperature should be maintained at around 75F to 84F, depending on the temperature conditions outside. A light source will be required inside the tank and it should be kept on for at least 12 hours a day. The water should be cleaned on a weekly basis by replacing 20% of the aquarium water with fresh, clean water. Also, you will need to draw out the water from the bottom of the tank to get rid of the accumulated debris. Install a siphon in the aquarium for this purpose. You will need to maintain the pH level of the tank water as well. It should be around 7.0 to 7.2 and you can make use of tools available at pet stores foe this purpose.

Guppy Fish Food
Guppies need to be fed stuff that are high in proteins along with baby brine shrimp, which are one of their favorites. They should be fed small amounts of food thrice a day, but be careful not to overfeed them. You can feed them flake food, white worms, brine eggs, mosquito larvae and frozen dried plankton. These will also promote the healthy growth of guppies and will make sure the food in the tank has been consumed before you feed them again.

Guppy Fry Care

Guppy fry care is essential if you breed your guppies. Firstly, you will need to arrange for a separate tank where the fry can grow out. Immediately after the fry is out, move them to the fry tank and add some of the aquarium water and debris to it. Remember to clean the tank regularly so that they can grow healthily. You can feed the fry baby brine shrimp or dry food, but do not overfeed them. Move them to the larger aquarium once they are 8 to 10 weeks old.

So this was all about guppy fish care. Looking after them appropriately will ensure the survival and health of these fish for long and it will surely be a pleasure having them around.