Guppy fish is a common freshwater aquarium fish famous for its bright colors and ease of caring. Guppy fry, or baby guppies, start out as tiny black specks and gradually develop their colors over time. New guppy owners ask one of the most common questions: “How long does it take for baby guppy fish to get their colors?”
Baby guppy fish take nearly one week and six weeks long to get or develop colors. However, it is difficult to tell when they will develop their colors. The process by which they acquire their colors depends on various factors, including diet, water temperature, and the presence of ammonia and nitration.
This blog post will discuss how long it takes guppy fry to get their colors and what determines when they do so.
How Long Does It Take For Baby Guppy Fish To Get/Develop Their Colors?
While it’s impossible to give a definitive answer due to the many factors involved, we can provide some general guidelines.
Most guppy fry gets their color between 1 week and six weeks. However, many factors can affect the time the colors take to develop.
Don’t go swirling just because your fry seems plain yellowish with a black dot. They will gain their yellowish, rainbowish color in due time.
What Determines When Baby Guppy Fish Develop Colors?
Several factors can influence how quickly baby guppy fish develop their colors. These include diet, metabolism, water temperature, presence of ammonia and nitration, and water condition. Let’s take a closer look at each of these:
Diet
A healthy diet is important for all fish, but it’s especially crucial for baby guppy fish. A healthy diet will help them grow quickly and develop their colors. They need a diet that is high in protein and includes a variety of different foods.
If guppy fry eat a high-quality diet, they will develop their colors more quickly than if they eat a poor-quality diet. A good diet for baby guppy fish includes live food, such as brine shrimp and daphnia, and high-quality dry food.
A diet rich in carotenoids will help the baby guppies develop their colors more quickly. Carotenoids are found in foods like carrots and spinach. You can also find them in some commercial fish foods.
If you fail to provide a good diet, they will stay paler and have a harder time developing their colors. A good diet will help them grow quickly and develop their colors properly.
Metabolism
The rate of metabolism can also affect how quickly baby guppy fish develop their colors. They will develop their colors more quickly if the metabolic rate is high. However, if the metabolic rate is low, it will take them longer to develop their colors.
Baby guppy fish have a high metabolism and need a lot of food. However, they also grow quickly, and their bodies are constantly changing. This can make it difficult to determine how much food they need.
Water Temperature
Water temperature is one of the main factors determining how quickly baby guppy fish develop their colors.
In warm water, baby guppies will develop their colors more quickly than in cooler water. This is because warmer water speeds up the fish’s metabolism, which causes them to grow and develop more quickly.
So, you need to ensure the water temperature is just right. The ideal water temperature for guppy fry is between 77 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
I still suggest you maintain the ideal water temperature rather than keeping it higher since it might stress your baby guppies.
Presence Of Ammonia And Nitration
The presence of ammonia and nitration in the water can also affect the development of colors in baby guppy fish.
Ammonia is a toxic gas that can kill fish, while nitrates are chemical compounds that cause problems with a fish’s respiratory system.
If either of these chemicals is present at high levels, it can delay or prevent the development of colors in baby guppy fish.
Water Condition
The water condition also affects how quickly baby guppy fish develop their colors. If the water is dirty or contains toxins, it will take longer for the baby guppies to develop their colors. This is because the toxins in the water can interfere with the development of the guppy fry.
How Quickly Do Baby Guppy Fish Grow?
Baby guppy fish grow quickly and can reach their full size in just a few months. They will grow more quickly if they are well-fed and have a good diet. If the water temperature is too low, it will take them longer to grow.
Do not try to force them to grow faster by feeding them more food than necessary. This can lead to health problems and even death. Instead, giving them small meals several times a day is better than one large meal.
How Long Does It Take Guppy Fry To Mature?
Guppy fry will mature in about two to three months. The males will be ready to breed sooner than the females. The female guppies will need to be a little larger before they are ready to breed.
Please ensure a proper male-to-female ratio if you are planning to breed them. I suggest at least two females for every male as two male guppies will fight to get female attention. This will help to ensure that the females are not overbred.
Do Guppies Have Different Color Babies?
No, guppies do not have different color babies. The parents’ colors will determine the colors of the fry. However, the fry may not show its true colors until a few weeks old.
The color of guppy fry can go from rainbow to neutral orange, given the color of parents and environmental conditions.
The fry’s color is also determined by diet, metabolism, water temperature, presence of ammonia and nitration, and water condition.
Do Guppy Fish Lose Their Color?
Yes, guppy fish can lose their color. This can happen for several reasons: stress, illness, poor water quality, and lack of food. If your guppy’s color is fading, please check the water quality and ensure they have enough to eat.
It is similar to a sick human: Don’t you notice how a human becomes paler when they get sick? That’s because their blood vessels dilate to bring more oxygen to the cells, making the skin look paler. Likewise, when fish get sick, they also tend to lose color.
Lack of food can also cause guppies to lose color. If they are not getting enough nutrients, they will start to fade. Make sure to feed them various foods, including live and frozen foods.
Finally, stress can cause guppies to lose color. They may start to fade if they are in a new environment or if something is bothering them. To reduce stress, ensure plenty of hiding places in the tank and keep the water quality high.
If you notice your guppy losing color, don’t panic! Check the water quality and make sure they are getting enough to eat. If everything looks good, they should start to regain their color in no time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it takes baby guppy fish two to three weeks to develop their colors. The diet, metabolism, water temperature, presence of ammonia and nitration, and water condition all play a role in determining when the colors will develop. Guppy fry grows quickly and matures in about two to three months. Guppies can have different color babies, but they usually lose their color as they age.
Thanks for reading!
We hope you found this article helpful. Please comment below if you have any questions or want to share your experiences.
Until next time, Happy Fishkeeping!!
