Do you want to give your guppies the best environment you can? Discover the best guppy tank mates for your guppies. The right guppy tank mates help make your guppy feel more at home and will keep them from getting too bored. After all guppies do not live by themselves in the wild. That being said, the wrong tank mate can cause or encourage aggressive behavior, bullying, stress, and physical harm. It really matters that you know which fish will cause which reaction in your guppy.
Why Have a Tank Mate?
Guppies are shoaling fish, meaning that they gather in groups and hide together for safety. Their favorite hiding places can be emulated by putting cave, ship, plant, and etc. decorations in your tank. If you leave your guppy without any company they might feel unsafe and get stressed. You could buy a group of guppies, but that might not promote the species diverse aquarium that you want. You will also have to make sure that you buy a certain amount of female guppies per male guppies. One male for every two females to be exact. The ratio needs to be even more dramatic when putting beta fish and guppy fish together. Basically, all the beta fish and guppies need to be female if they are tank mates.
If you want to promote healthy, vibrant fish behavior you will have to make sure that your choice of tank mate is not too large or aggressive. If they are, there is a good chance they will end up bullying your guppy becuase they see them as a viable prey option. Water level is also important because some fish stay around a certain area in the tank and if there are other species in their space they might react negatively. There are also some fish that simply do not belong in the same tank as guppies. The health requirments can differ from species to species. If you cannot maintain stable water conditions your guppy could suffer severe consequences, such as illness, bodily injuries, and even death.
Top Recommended Tank Mates for Guppies
Aquatic animals that are peaceful by nature will make fine tank mates for a guppy. 9 of the best tank mates for guppies include neon tetras, swordtails, platies, mollies, corydoras catfish, harlequin rasboras, freshwater shrimp, female beta fish, and bristlenose pleco ( Fabian, Best Guppy Tank Mates). Some of the fish listed are a bit bigger than guppies and this can cause some problems if you do not have a tank that has enough space to accomodate both fish. Safe tank area can range from the average ten gallons to thirty gallons. I recommend doing your own research before buying your tank or your fish.
Another issue is that some fish might need to come with their own groups. Harliquin rasboras should be bought in groups of 8-12. Freshwater shrimp are also best in tandem and have two purposes. They can help keep the tank clean and are great, unobtrusive companions. If you decide that you want a a cory catfish to accompany your guppy also buy a shrimp. Cory catfish can make a bit of a mess and a scavenger like a shrimp can clean it up. Buyguppy.com sells freshwater shrimp.
Tank Mates to Avoid With Guppies
On the other end of the spectrum, any aquatic animal that is large or predatory by nature will be a bad tank mate. To be more specific, steer clear of aggressive cichlids, fin-nipping barbs, flowerhorn fish, and angelfish. Cichlids are territorial. They do not need much reason to attack guppies. Barbs are a bit bigger than guppies and are faster swimmers. They especially like to nip tails when angry, which can lead to the guppy's death. Angelfish and flowerhorn fish like to eat guppies. If you do get one make sure it is too small for to consume a guppy.
Tips for Introducing New Tank Mates
Even if you get a fish that is a perfect tank mate, if is not a good idea to simply throw them together in a tank and pray for the best. You are going to have to acclimate the new fish gradually. When you first get a new fish quarantine it in a seperate tank. This is helpful in getting rid of foreign chemicals and illnesses. Do this for 3-4 weeks. In the meantime, make sure your tank water and decorations can accomodate the new fish and your guppy to an equal extant. After the 3-4 weeks are over you can introduce the new fish to your tank. You will have to monitor the behavior of both fish for stress and compatibility issues. Look for signs of bullying or illness. If there are no issues you are in the clear. If there are issues seperate the fish.
What Buyguppy.com Can do For You
Guppy tank mates can be a multitude of aquatic animals as long as they are peaceful and have similar needs. Please consult our blog if you have other questions. We, at buyguppy.com, are happy to be of service and are eager to educate the curious publlic about guppy care. We sell a wide variety of guppies, live plants and other decorations, other aquatic creatures, and guppy fries.
References
15 Best Guppy Tank Mates - Full List of Animals Compatible with Guppies Flowerhorn Tank Mates: Best Fish for a Peaceful Aquarium Guppy Fish and Tiger Barbs - Can You Keep Them in Same Aquarium?
