Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
The Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is a semi-aggressive fish that's easy to keep. Give it a tank of at least 50 litres (13 US gallons), water held at 64-82°F, and a pH of 6.8-8.2. Always keep a group of at least 6 - they feel safest in numbers.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
Northeast South America and the Caribbean - Venezuela, Guyana and Trinidad.
- Africa
- South America
- Central America & Mexico
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Guppy Tank Setup
A tank of at least 50 litres (13 US gallons) at 64-82°F and pH 6.8-8.2 suits them well. Livebearers breed quickly, so plan for the fry and keep an eye on your male-to-female ratio. Always keep a group of at least 6 of their own kind - kept alone or in pairs they tend to turn shy, nippy, or wash out in colour.
What Do Guppies Eat?
They're not fussy eaters - feed a varied diet, rotating good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods rather than the same thing every day, and match the food size to their mouths.
Guppy Tank Mates
Keep in groups of at least 6. The Guppy is semi-aggressive, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. It's a shoaling fish, so settle a group of 6 or more of its own kind before adding anything else - a stressed, lonely fish is far more likely to nip or hide. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Guppies Good for Beginners?
Often recommended to beginners, but only after the tank is cycled and you can keep a proper school - not three fish in a new setup.
Guppy - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Guppies need?
Guppies need a tank of at least 50 litres (13 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
How many Guppies should I keep together?
Keep a group of at least 6. Guppies are a shoaling species and become stressed, lose their colour, or hide when kept singly or in pairs.
What water parameters do Guppies need?
Keep them at 64-82°F with a pH of 6.8-8.2, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Guppies eat?
Guppies are omnivores and aren't fussy eaters. Feed a varied mix of good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods, and match the food size to their mouths. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Guppies good for beginners?
Yes - Guppies are a good beginner choice once the tank is fully cycled and you can keep a proper group. They are hardy but still need stable water and a school to feel secure.
Common mistakes with Guppies
- Buying fewer than 6 - Guppys need a proper school to feel secure; isolated individuals hide, fail to colour up, or become stressed.
Guides that pair with this fish
- Guppy care guide - Parameters and everyday husbandry.
- Guppy tank mates - Peaceful mixes that leave fins intact.
- Guppies with bettas - When flashy tails become bait.
- Male vs female guppies - Sexing and breeding pressure basics.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Fish to avoid mixing with Guppies
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- OscarPredator - Oscar will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- AxolotlPredator - Axolotl will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Betta (Male)Predator - Betta (Male) will eat or injure smaller tank mates
