Guppies are one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish in the world, loved for their incredible colours, flowing fins and endless variety. Hardy, active and easy to care for, guppies are an excellent choice for beginners while still offering experienced hobbyists the opportunity to breed and develop stunning strains.

Why You'll Love Guppies

• Available in an incredible range of colours, patterns and tail shapes
• Peaceful community fish suitable for most freshwater aquariums
• Easy to care for and ideal for beginners
• Active swimmers that bring constant movement to the aquarium
• Livebearers that breed readily in the right conditions

Creating the Ideal Home

Tank Size

Guppies can be kept in aquariums from 30 litres, although larger aquariums provide greater water stability and allow their natural behaviour to flourish. They are happiest in planted aquariums with plenty of swimming space.

Temperature

Guppies thrive between 22–28°C, with 24–26°C being ideal for most varieties.

Water Quality

• Ammonia: 0 ppm
• Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: ideally below 20 ppm
• pH: 7.0–8.0

Although guppies are considered hardy, they still require a fully cycled aquarium with clean, stable water and regular maintenance to remain healthy.

Filtration

Gentle to moderate filtration is ideal. Sponge filters work particularly well in breeding aquariums as they provide biological filtration without risking injury to fry.

Aquascaping

Live plants, driftwood and floating plants create a natural environment while providing shelter for females and young fry. Dense planting also helps reduce stress and encourages natural behaviour.

Feeding

Guppies are omnivores and benefit from a varied, high-quality diet.

• Premium tropical flakes
• Micro pellets
• Frozen bloodworms
• Brine shrimp
• Daphnia
• Live foods for breeding and conditioning

A varied diet supports vibrant colours, healthy growth and successful breeding.

Suitable Tank Mates

Guppies are peaceful fish that mix well with other calm community species.

• Corydoras
• Otocinclus
• Honey Gouramis
• Small Rasboras
• Celestial Pearl Danios
• Cherry Barbs
• Pygmy Corydoras
• Freshwater Shrimp (with adequate cover)

Avoid fin-nipping fish such as Tiger Barbs and larger aggressive species that may harass guppies or damage their flowing fins.

Popular Guppy Varieties

• Blue Moscow Guppy
• Red Dragon Guppy
• Koi Guppy
• Dumbo Ear Guppy
• Cobra Guppy
• Tuxedo Guppy
• Endler Guppy
• Albino Guppy

Guppy FAQs

Are Guppies good for beginners?

Yes. Guppies are one of the easiest freshwater fish to keep and are an excellent choice for anyone starting their first tropical aquarium.

How many Guppies should I keep?

Guppies are social fish and are happiest in groups. If keeping both males and females, aim for one male to every two or three females to reduce stress from constant courtship.

Do Guppies breed easily?

Yes. Guppies are livebearers and reproduce readily in healthy aquariums. Without separate breeding arrangements, many fry may be eaten by adult fish.

Can Guppies live with shrimp?

Adult shrimp usually coexist well with guppies, but newly hatched shrimp may become food. Mosses and dense plants provide excellent hiding places for shrimplets.

Do Guppies need live plants?

Live plants are highly recommended as they improve water quality, provide shelter and create natural hiding places for fry.