Guppy fish is one of the most popular types of aquarium fish. They are small and brightly colored, making them a favorite for many fish enthusiasts. They are one of the most peaceful and sociable fish you can get. But there are days when you see them chasing each other and creating havoc. And this leads to some confusion about whether or not guppies are aggressive fish. Are Guppy Fish aggressive or not?
No, Guppy fish are not naturally aggressive fish. However, certain things can make them aggressive. The most common reasons for guppy aggression are during the breeding season, improper male-to-female ratio, overcrowding, hunger, etc. Male guppies will become territorial and start chasing other fish away from their chosen mate.
There is more to the story; do not dishearten yourself from the beginning. Let’s learn things in detail first and decide afterward. In this article, we will explore why guppy fish may become aggressive and how you can stop them from fighting.
Are Guppy Fish Aggressive?
No, guppy fish are not naturally aggressive fish. Honestly, these aquarium pets are quite peaceful and social that aggression doesn’t even seem to exist near them.
But that doesn’t mean these guppies will not suddenly get aggressive. If you are new to fishkeeping, it may come as a surprise to see any pet go out of their true nature. Brace yourself; this happens more often than you can imagine.
So, let’s come to the point, your peace-loving, friendly guppy fish can turn into aggressive bullies sometimes. It’s not their fault; some external factors usually cause the aggression.
It would help if you explored what is triggering aggression in these lovely babies and put an end to it. Only then will your guppies be able to live a peaceful life as they should.
What Makes Guppy Fish Aggressive?
There can be several reasons for guppy fish to be aggressive. It could be due to the breeding season, improper male-to-female ratio, having a male-only tank, overcrowding, bullying, or hunger. Let’s take a closer look at each of these factors.
Breeding Season
During the breeding season, guppy fish can become quite aggressive as they compete for mates.
The males will often chase the females and nip at their fins in an effort to get them to mate. Unfortunately, this can sometimes lead to fighting between the males as well.
The aggression also comes to the surface when the female gets annoyed with constant bickering and chasing by the males and lashes out.
Pregnancy also makes the female guppy fish aggressive as they become more vulnerable and weak to deal with the chaos in the tank.
Improper Male To Female Ratio
If there are more males than females in a tank, the males will start to become aggressive with each other as they compete for the attention of the females.
They will start fighting for dominance, which can lead to aggression and bullying. On the other hand, if too many females are in the tank, the males will become stressed, which can also lead to aggression.
The aggression will often take the form of chasing and fin nipping. To stop this from happening, it is important to maintain a proper male-to-female ratio in your tank.
Male Only Tank
If you have a male-only tank, the males will become aggressive towards each other. This is because they are competing for dominance and territory.
The aggression can be so bad that they will start to nip at each other’s fins and chase each other around the tank.
If you have a male-only tank, it’s important to add plenty of hiding spots so the fish can escape from each other.
Overcrowding
Overcrowding can also lead to aggression in guppy fish. When too many fish in a small space, they will start to chase and nip at each other.
If your tank is overcrowded, you may need to remove some of the fish. However, you cannot risk keeping too many guppies in a tank that cannot even accommodate six guppies on most days.
Bullying
Guppy fish can get aggressive towards other fish if they are being bullied. Therefore, if you see a guppy being chased or nipped at by another fish, removing the aggressor from the tank is important. You should also add more hiding spots so the bullied fish can escape from the aggressor.
Hunger
If you see a guppy chasing other fish and trying to bite them, it’s likely because the guppy is hungry. The fin nipping to tail pulling is often one of the signs of hunger.
You cannot expect guppies to act cool and peaceful when they have literally nothing to eat in the tank. So, to keep them from being aggressive, you should regularly put some food in the tank.
Signs Guppy Fish Is Getting Aggressive
I know how frustrating it can get when you cannot pinpoint what your guppies are doing or trying to tell you. There are so many tell-tale signs of understanding your fish’s fuming aggression.
One of the most important things you can do as an owner is to know the difference between playing and aggression.
Guppies play with each other by chasing each other around. However, if the guppies are actually nipping at each other’s fins or tails, then that’s a whole different story.
I will list all the signs and explain what they mean so that you can be more informed the next time you see your fish behaving this way.
Fin Nipping
Fin nipping is one of the most common ways to tell if your guppy fish is getting aggressive. This is where the guppy will literally bite off the fins of other fish in the tank. If you see this happening, it’s a sure sign that aggression levels are rising, and something needs to be done about it.
Constant Chasing
Another sign that your guppy fish is getting aggressive is if they are constantly chasing other fish around the tank. This can be extremely stressful for the fish being chased and can lead to serious injury or even death. If you see this happening, it’s important to take action to stop it.
Picking On Lager Fish Out Of The Blue
One of the most unexpected and aggressive behaviors guppy fish can display picking on larger fish out of the blue.
This can be very confusing for the larger fish, as they are not used to being targeted by smaller fish. If you see this happening, removing the guppy from the tank immediately is important.
Why Are Guppy Males Aggressive Towards Each Other?
During the breeding season, competition for mates can make guppy males aggressive towards each other. In an effort to assert their dominance and win the affection of female guppies, males will often chase and nip at each other’s fins.
Improper ratios of male to female fish can also lead to increased aggression amongst males as they compete for mates. Overcrowding in a tank can also increase aggression as fish become stressed and territorial over their space.
Bullying is another common cause of aggression amongst guppies. Larger, more dominant fish will often pick on smaller, weaker fish – causing them to become injured or even killed.
Do Guppies Eat Each Other?
While guppies are not cannibals, there is a chance that they may eat each other if they are starving. But that doesn’t mean they can eat each other.
These fish are not physically capable of chewing or attacking other guppies in the tank. But the case might differ when it comes to guppy fry roaming around. Guppies are omnivores that will eat anything that fits in their mouths.
The fry might get eaten by their adult counterparts if not fed properly. So, if you’re wondering, do guppies eat each other? The answer is no, not unless they’re starving.
If you notice your guppies constantly chasing each other and nipping at fins, it could signify that they are hungry. So make sure to feed these guppy fish a good diet on a regular schedule.
How To Stop Guppies From Fighting?
If your guppies have started to show aggression towards each other, there are fortunately a few things you can do to stop them from fighting.
I will elaborate on all of those methods below:
Maintain Male To Female Ratio
Maintaining a healthy male-to-female ratio is the most important thing you can do to stop guppies from fighting. If there are too many males, they will start to fight for dominance. Adding more females can help reduce this aggression.
Ideally, you should have two to three females for every male. This will help reduce the amount of aggression as the males will not be competing for the attention of the females as much.
If you have more than one male in your tank, it is important to ensure that there are enough females so that they are not fighting over them.
Add Certain Numbers Of Fish In The Tank
It is best to stick to the rule of adding no more than one guppy per three gallons of water. This will help ensure that your fish have enough space and are not overcrowded.
You may need to remove some fish if you have too many in your tank. Adding more hiding spots can also help reduce aggression.
Feed Them On Time
It would help if you fed Guppies two to three times a day. However, Overfeeding can lead to obesity and health problems, making them more aggressive.
Underfeeding can also lead to aggression, as they will compete for food. Make sure you are feeding your guppies the correct amount of food.
Go For A Larger Tank
If you have the space, a larger tank is always better. This will give your fish more room to swim and explore, and they will be less likely to become aggressive. You may also consider adding more hiding spots and plants to your tank.
Add Plants And Hiding Spots
Adding plants and hiding spots to your tank can help reduce aggression. Plants provide a place for fish to hide, and they can also help absorb excess nutrients in the water.
In addition, hiding spots can help reduce fish stress levels, making them less aggressive. Adding these items to your tank can help create a more peaceful environment for your fish.
Conclusion
In summary, Guppy fish can get aggressive for many reasons, but there are some things you can do to reduce aggression in your tank. Adding the correct number of fish, feeding them on time, and going for a larger tank can all help reduce aggression. Adding plants and hiding spots can also create a more peaceful environment for your fish. If you are having trouble with aggression in your tank, try these tips and see if they help reduce the aggression in your fish.
If you have any questions or want to add anything, please feel free to comment below. Thank you for reading!
Good Luck!!!!
Happy Fishkeeping!!!
