I've tried researching but I can't seem to find enough info. How long to they live? Do they need anything special? Is it ok if the water temp changes a little w/ the seasons? If not, how do I control the water temp? Thank you!
2006-12-21 13:34:18 · 9 answers · asked by KD 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Guppies can live up to 3 years with proper care. With all fish, make sure you have enough room for them in a proper tank. The rule is generally 1 gallon per 1 square inch of fish. Overstocking the tank will lead to problems. I would suggest at least a 5.5gal tank because anything smaller is hard to find a heater or filter for.
When you purchase them, aim for a 2:1 (female vs male) ratio because otherwise the females may get stressed with too many males chasing after them, or the males may nip at other males' tails.
A heater is a very good investment and you can find they're very inexpensive. Maybe around $10-20 for a basic heater. A thermometer is good for monitoring the temp. Fluxuations of about 3 degrees a day is fine, any more may be stressful.
Feed them guppy pellets (I feed mine Hikari) or flakes supplimented by freeze dried or frozen brine shrimp, bloodworms, or tubifix worms. You can even feed them peas (remove the first 2 shells of the pea first) for extra fibre.
With any fish, make sure you condition the water with a water conditioner to remove chlorine and chloramine from your tap water. I personally use Nutrafin's AquaSafe, but there are many brands available that do the same thing.
2006-12-21 18:07:48 · answer #1 · answered by unknown 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
guppies, by being livebearing they will have shorter lifespans than there egg laying friends, but the average lifespan of a wild guppie is 3-4 yrs. In captivity this decreases due to inbreeding, and differant illness. You may only have your guppies 1-2 yrs. Guppies prefer there water cooler than most tropical fish, around 72 will suite them just fine so a heater set on this setting will keep them happy. They also prefer there p.h. high 7.8- 8.2, and their water hard. Adding some aquarium salt will keep the salinety where they like it (.20). You can take care of all of the above if you switch your gravel out for some crushed coral. I would recommend the smaller coral and do Not rinse coral off you want the salts. This is added easier when there are no fish present, like a newly started tank for it will take time for the salt to disolve, and more importantly as the water chemistry changes it would be hard on the fish to adjust that quickly. If your tank is fully stocked it may be easier to purchase a product made by aquarium phamacuticals called Proper P.H. 8.2 . this along with aquarium salt will do the same things but will have to me monitored more often than the coral. good luck
2006-12-21 16:47:35 · answer #2 · answered by talisy77 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The 1.5 is too small for any fish. The comet is fine in the 20 gallon. They do get large, but only in perfect conditions do they get over a foot in length. I've had one in a 200 gallon fountain for 5 years, and it's barely 7 inches. For one night, the guppy should be fine in the 1.5, as long as you used water conditioner. Tomorrow, though, you either need to return her, or get her a larger aquarium with a filter and heater. As for food, I'd giver her a single goldfish flake.
2016-05-23 09:32:43 · answer #3 · answered by Barbara 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would guess that if you fed them with a specialized guppie food, kept the tank clean, and used good water - a long time.
I think you can buy water temperature controllers.
Look around!
-Tally
2006-12-21 14:59:55 · answer #4 · answered by Hannah! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All your current guppy questions along with the bazillions you'll come up with once you get you fish are answered at the link below!
2006-12-21 18:58:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you volunteer for a while at your local animal shelter?? while you work, you can ask the professionals for answers and advice, and you will be performing an invaluable service for your community and the animals. everyone wins!
2006-12-21 13:43:12 · answer #6 · answered by habs_freak 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
appropriate water temperature for guppies is around 75F. they make heaters for fish tanks , any major temperature change is going to cause stress which leads to diseases which leads to death
2006-12-21 14:10:49 · answer #7 · answered by Bob K 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to a Aquarium store and see if they have a beginners book.
2006-12-21 13:43:19 · answer #8 · answered by thresher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
guppies are easy...but the temperature must remain fairly constant...check out www. age of aquariums.....they have lots of information there.
2006-12-21 19:27:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋