CheckMyFishTank

Guppy care

Poecilia reticulata · Freshwater · Beginner level care

Guppy, painted illustration

A colorful, active livebearer that breeds very fast.

Smallest tank10 gallons
Adult size2 inches
Temperature72 to 82°F
pH7 to 8
GroupA group of 3 or more
TemperamentPeaceful
SwimsTop of the tank
Lives2 to 3 years
Watch for: Fin nippers will shred fancy guppy tails. Keep more females than males to calm the males.

Feeding

Twice a day. A small pinch they finish in about 2 minutes. Flakes, micro pellets, baby brine shrimp.

Has long fins that fin nippers target.

Good tank mates

Fish that pass every check with Guppy in a 40 gallon tank: same water, overlapping temperature, nobody gets eaten and no bullies.

Do not mix with

Questions

What size tank does a Guppy need?

At least 10 gallons for a group of 3. Adults grow to about 2 inches, so plan for the adult size, not the size at the store.

What temperature does a Guppy like?

72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, with a pH of about 7 to 8. A steady temperature matters more than hitting one exact number.

How many Guppy should I keep together?

Keep 3 or more. They feel safe in a group and show better color and behavior.

What do Guppy eat?

Flakes, micro pellets, baby brine shrimp. Feed twice a day: a small pinch they finish in about 2 minutes.

Sources

Checked against these sources on 2026-11-10. When sources disagree we use the safer number.