Updated
Set up the tank before the fish arrive
- A tank of 40 litres or more. More water stays stable for longer and gives fry room to grow. See our fish tanks.
- A filter and a heater. Gentle flow suits long-finned guppies. See pumps and filters.
- Water conditioner to remove chlorine from tap water.
- Cycle the tank for 2–4 weeks. Run the filter before adding fish so helpful bacteria can build up.
- A lid and some plants. Guppies can jump, and plants give fry places to hide. See live plants.
Water: temperature and pH
Keep the water warm and steady at 24–28 °C. Guppies do well in neutral to slightly hard, alkaline water with a pH of 7.0–8.0. Avoid sudden changes when you top up or change water: always use water at the same temperature.
Settling new guppies in
- Turn the tank light off.
- Float the closed bag in your tank for 15–20 minutes so the temperature evens out.
- Open the bag and add a small cup of tank water every few minutes.
- Net the fish into the tank. Don't pour the bag water in.
- Feed lightly the next day, not on the first evening.
Feeding
Feed small pinches twice a day, only what they finish in about two minutes. Overfeeding is the most common cause of dirty water and sick fish.
Water changes
Replace 20–25% of the water every week with dechlorinated water at the same temperature. Rinse filter sponges in old tank water, not tap water, so you keep the helpful bacteria.
Males and females
Keep two or three females per male. It spreads out the males' attention and reduces stress. Guppies give birth to live young about every four weeks, so add plenty of plants if you want the fry to survive.
Need help?
Ask us about your specific fish when you order, or contact us any time. You can also read about guppy types or browse the guppies in our shop.