How Many Guppies Should Keep Together?

Guppies are adaptable fish that survive in captivity, making them suitable for indoor and outdoor aquariums. Various factors can affect their health or way of life. Most new guppy owners prefer to cram as many guppies as possible into the same space. The entire tank is, the more beautiful it appears.

However, taking this strategy will harm your guppies. To stay healthy and comfortable in the long run, each guppy needs at least 2 gallons of water. Overcrowding causes several problems, including rapid waste accumulation, bacterial growth, elevated ammonia levels, and fish stress.

So, how many guppies do you need in your aquarium? At the very least, I recommend three, with no higher limit. The only restriction is the size of your tank. The bigger it is, the guppy-to-gallon ratio within reason; you may put more guppies in it.

However, three is the magic number – one male and two females. Keeping two guys and one female isn’t a good idea because males are fiercely competitive when mating. The mating phase of guppies starts almost every day.

Male guppies will also be territorial, especially if there isn’t enough water. You should have 2-3 females for every guy, so I suggested the minimum ratio.

Can You Keep Only Male Guppies?

Yes, but I would not advise it. Male-only tanks are theoretically viable. Not only that, but because male guppies are more colorful than females, people prefer them. However, some issues must be avoided or resolved along the route.

Males are more violent and territorial than females, especially when it comes to other males of their species. They will battle over food, space, ladies, or simply for the pleasure of bullying lesser males. They won’t be able to kill each other directly, but they will receive wounds that will infect and eventually kill them.

To avoid such situations, you must take steps to reduce men’s aggressive tendencies. The following are some of the most dependable indicators:

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Expanding the Number of Hiding Places

Plants, caves, boulders, and woody ornaments should be abundant in the guppies’ surroundings. These additions will enrich your guppies’ surroundings by giving them more hiding places to retreat when frightened or stressed. These decorations will block the males’ line of sight, diverting their focus and guaranteeing a quieter and more pleasant environment for all tank residents.

Providing Enough Food

Guppies, especially males, frequently battle over food. If you have a male-only tank, scatter the food throughout the water’s surface so that everyone gets a chance to eat. You may achieve the same effect by feeding guppies in distinct groups in different regions of the aquarium.

Remove the Aggressor 

Some male guppies and female guppies are more aggressive than others. They will attack other guppies for no apparent reason, and it isn’t much you can do about it. You may need to remove the aggressor from the environment and euthanize it at that time.

Add Females

In general, a mixed tank is more balanced than a male-only habitat. If you can’t keep a healthy and stable male-only environment, you might wish to include females. Just make sure there are at least two females for every man. Adding a few females to a big group of males, on the other hand, will only make the latter even more hostile. They’ll have even more reasons to fight now.

Can You Keep Only a Single Guppy?

You can, in theory, but I don’t recommend it. Despite their lack of schooling behavior, guppies are sociable creatures who prefer to stay in larger groups. They do, however, engage in shoaling activity and, when threatened, will resort to schooling.

They become lonely and melancholy when left alone, so keeping just one guppy is a horrible choice. You can give the fish the best environment, the best food, and enough care, but it won’t make a difference. Due to its weakened immune system, the fish may still become sick, discouraged, and even die.

If you enjoy guppies, keep at least three in a 5-gallon tank, one male and two females.

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Can You Keep Guppies With Other Fish?

Yes, but you should tread carefully and thoughtfully in this case. Some fish species do not get along with one another. Guppies, for example, are shy and tranquil creatures who only associate with other animals who share their habits and tastes.

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When building a mixed tank, keep the following tips in mind:

Environmental Friendliness

All fish species should survive in similar water conditions in the same ecosystem. Guppies, for example, prefer water temperatures of 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit and a pH of 6.8 to 7.8. Find suitable tank mates who share these ideals or can adjust to them.

Dimensional Considerations

In nature, it’s an unwritten law that larger fish will attack or consume smaller fish. If you combine guppies with large species in your tank, the same thing will happen. Larger fish may exploit guppies as prey, killing them or bullying them, scaring them out and causing them to hide. Guppies with a compromised immune system are more susceptible to illnesses and parasites.

Diet

They mix carnivorous with vegetarians or omnivorous species, such as guppies. If guppies go hungry, even little predatory fish may attack them, damaging them and making them vulnerable to illnesses. And you don’t want to take this chance.

If you want to mix your guppies with other fish species for more variety, be careful and take all essential precautions. Consider combining guppies with fish such as the Bristlenose Pleco, which does not compete for swimming space with the guppies. This process will reduce daily encounters amongst the fish and keep the dynamic healthy and stable.

Can You Keep Different Types of Guppies Together?

Yes. If you want a variety tank, I prefer this alternative. Guppies come in almost 300 species, each with subspecies and color and pattern variants.

Mixing different guppies is beneficial since they all flourish in the same water conditions. Despite their variations in appearance, they recognize one another as members of the same species. Just keep in mind that guppies mate every month. Mixed tanks aren’t a good choice if you don’t want to mix species and want to maintain them clean.

Final Thoughts

Guppies don’t require much to live a healthy, active, and steady life. One of their most fundamental needs is room, which means that overpopulation can quickly become an issue. Maintain a plant-rich habitat for your guppies, pair them with compatible tank mates, and make sure they have enough space to thrive.

As long as your guppies have enough space and are properly cared for, they should have a long life. Remember that for every gallon of water, no more than 1 inch or 1.5 inches of fish should keep together. Therefore, supporting more than 3 or 4 guppies in a 5-gallon tank is not recommended.