Guppy fish is a great choice for beginner fish keepers because they are hardy and can thrive in various water conditions. These fish come in various colors, and you can keep them in community tanks with other non-aggressive fish. However, one question often arises: What are the best tank mates for guppy fish?
The best tank mates for guppy fish include swordtail, mollies, platies, harlequin rasboras, Kuhli loach, Cory catfish, otocinclus catfish, cardinal tetra, Bristlenose pleco, honey gouramis, nerite snails, red cherry shrimp, Amano shrimp, African dwarf frog, etc. Guppy fish are social creatures and do best when you keep them in groups in community tanks with other non-aggressive fish.
However, it would help if you did not keep some fish with guppy fish such as cichlids, betta fish, and angelfish.
So, whether you’re just starting with fishkeeping or an experienced hobbyist, this blog post will surely provide some valuable insights! In this blog post, we will explore some of the best tank mates for guppies, as well as some of the worst tank mates for guppies. Keep Reading!
Can Guppy Fish Live With Other Tank Mates?
Yes, guppy fish are social creatures that do well when you keep them with other fish in a community tank. In fact, they are often helpful as dither fish to help shy or nervous fish feel more comfortable in their environment.
When choosing tank mates for guppy fish, it is important to consider the size of your aquarium, the temperament of the other fish, and whether or not the other fish are compatible with guppy fish.
Some of the best tank mates for guppy fish include swordtail, mollies, platies, harlequin rasboras, Kuhli loach, Cory catfish, otocinclus catfish, cardinal tetra, Bristlenose pleco, honey gouramis, nerite snails, red cherry shrimp, Amano shrimp, African dwarf frog.
It is important to avoid keeping guppy fish with cichlids, betta fish, and angelfish as they can be aggressive towards guppy fish and may even eat them.
Factors That Determine Th Best Tank Mates For Guppy Fish
To have a healthy and balanced aquarium, it is important to choose the best tank mates for your guppy fish. There are a few factors that you should take into account when making this decision.
Tank Size
One factor is the size of your tank. Guppy fish can grow up to two inches in length, so it is important to choose tank mates that are not too large.
Temperament
Another factor to consider is the temperament of your guppy fish. Guppies are generally peaceful and social creatures, so it is best to choose tank mates with similar personalities.
Dietary Needs
You should also take into account the dietary needs of your guppy fish. Guppies are omnivores, so they need a diet that includes both plant and animal matter.
It is also important to choose tank mates that have similar dietary needs. This will ensure that all the fish in your aquarium get the nutrients they need to stay healthy.
Water Conditions
Finally, it would help if you considered the water conditions in your aquarium. Guppy fish prefer warm, freshwater environments. Therefore, it is best to choose tank mates that can thrive in these conditions.
What Are The Best Tank Mates For Guppy Fish?
Now that we have moved beyond the question of whether guppy fish are social, we can ask what the best tank mates for guppy fish might be.
The truth is that there are many different options, and it depends on what you are looking for in a community tank.
Some of the best fish to keep with guppies are swordtails, mollies, platies, harlequin rasboras, Kuhli loach, honey gouramis, nerite snails, and red cherry shrimp, African dwarf frogs, etc.
These are all relatively peaceful fish and can coexist well with guppies in a community tank. But, of course, there are always exceptions to the rule, and you should research to ensure that the fish you want to add to your tank is compatible with guppies.
Swordtails
What is better than having another livebearer in your tank? That’s right, two livebearers! Swordtails make great tank mates for guppies because they are also peaceful fish that get along well with others.
They are a little bit bigger than guppies, so they can help to keep the mid-level of the aquarium populated. Swordtails also come in various colors and patterns so that they can add some nice visual interest to your tank.
Mollies
Like swordtails, mollies are also livebearers that make great tank mates for guppies. They are peaceful fish that do well in community tanks.
Mollies come in various colors and patterns so that they can add a lot of visual interest to your aquarium. Of course, you can never go wrong with mollies as tank mates for guppy fish.
Platies
Platies are another live-bearing fish that make good tank mates for guppies. They are peaceful and easy to care for, making them a great choice for beginner aquarium enthusiasts.
These fish come in a variety of colors, so they can also add some visual interest to your tank. Like guppies, platies are also livebearers, so they will give birth to live young.
Trust me; you’ll feel like raising the same fish again. If you plan to keep guppies and platies together, ensure you have plenty of hiding places for the fry (baby fish). Otherwise, the adults may eat them.
Cory Catfish
Cory catfish are a good choice for guppy tank mates because they are bottom dwellers and stay at the bottom of the tank and don’t bother other fish. They are also peaceful and help keep the tank clean.
Corys come in various sizes and colors, so you can choose the type that best suits your aquarium. Regardless of their type, Corys make great additions to any freshwater tank!
Corys are bottom dwellers that love scavenging in aquarium substrates. However, they have delicate fins and barbels, so it’s best to use a sand substrate rather than gravel.
These fish are hardy fish that are relatively resistant to disease. House them in an appropriately sized tank with other Corys or peaceful fish species and provide plenty of hiding places and a healthy diet; they’ll thrive in your care!
Otocinclus Catfish
Otocinclus catfish are another good choice for guppy tank mates because they are small, peaceful, and help keep the tank clean.
These catfish are one of the smallest freshwater fish available and only grow to be about two inches long. These little fish are peaceful and a great addition to any community aquarium.
These catfish are known as ” algae eaters ” because they love to eat algae, which makes them a great choice for keeping your tank clean.
Otocinclus catfish are very sensitive to water quality and need a well-established aquarium with stable water parameters. They also need a diet of live or frozen food, so make sure you can provide that before adding them to your tank.
Cardinal Tetra
Cardinal tetras are another good choice for guppy tank mates because they are small, peaceful, and have a similar diet.
These tetras are among the most popular freshwater fish because of their vibrant red, silver, and blue coloration. They grow to be about two inches long and are very peaceful, making them a great choice for community aquariums.
Cardinal tetras have a similar diet to guppies and need a mix of live, frozen, and flake food. They also need plenty of hiding places in their tank because they are shy fish.
Bristlenose Pleco
Bristlenose plecos are another good choice for guppy tank mates because they are peaceful, help keep the tank clean, and don’t bother other fish.
They are a suckermouth catfish growing to be about six inches long. They are brown or black with white spots and have a bristly growth on their heads.
These fish are very peaceful and make great additions to any community aquarium. They are also “algae eaters” because they love to eat algae, which makes them a great choice for keeping your tank clean.
Bristlenose plecos are very hardy fish and can live in various tanks. However, they do best in an aquarium with plenty of hiding places and a diet of live, frozen, or pellets food.
Honey Gouramis
Honey gouramis are another good choice for guppy tank mates because they are peaceful, have a similar diet, and don’t bother other fish.
These fish are golden yellow with black stripes and grow to be about three inches long. They are very peaceful and make great additions to any community aquarium.
Honey gouramis have a similar diet to guppies and need a mix of live, frozen, and flake food. They also need plenty of hiding places in their tank because they are shy fish.
Nerite Snails
Nerite snails are another good choice for guppy tank mates because they are small, peaceful, and help keep the tank clean.
These snails are a type of freshwater snail that is very popular in the aquarium trade because they are easy to care for and don’t get very big. However, these little snails only grow to be about one inch long.
They are brown or black with yellow stripes and have a hard shell. Nerite snails are very peaceful and make great additions to any community aquarium.
These snails are known as “algae eaters” because they love to eat algae, which makes them a great choice for keeping your tank clean.
Nerite snails are very sensitive to water quality and need a well-established aquarium with stable water parameters. They also need a diet of live or frozen food, so make sure you can provide that before adding them to your tank.
Red Cherry Shrimp
Red cherry shrimp are another good choice for guppy tank mates because they are small, peaceful, and help keep the tank clean.
These shrimps are among the most popular freshwater shrimp in the aquarium trade because of their vibrant red color. However, they only grow to be about one inch long.
These little shrimp are peaceful and are a great addition to any community aquarium. They are also “algae eaters” because they love to eat algae, which makes them a great choice for keeping your tank clean.
Red cherry shrimp are very sensitive to water quality and need a well-established aquarium with stable water parameters. They also need a diet of live or frozen food, so make sure you can provide that before adding them to your tank.
Amano Shrimp
Amano shrimp are another good choice for guppy tank mates because they are small, peaceful, and help keep the tank clean.
These are among the most popular freshwater shrimp in the aquarium trade because they are easy to care for and don’t get very big. They only grow to be about one inch long.
Amano shrimp are brown or tan with white spots and have a hard shell. These little shrimp are peaceful and add greatly to any community aquarium.
Amano shrimp are very sensitive to water quality and need a well-established aquarium with stable water parameters.
They also need a diet of live or frozen food, so make sure you can provide that before adding them to your tank.
African Dwarf Frog
African dwarf frogs are another good choice for guppy tank mates because they are small, peaceful, and have a similar diet.
These frogs are very popular in the aquarium trade because they are easy to care for and don’t get very big. However, they only grow to be about two inches long.
African dwarf frogs are black with white spots and have smooth skin. These little frogs are peaceful and add greatly to any community aquarium. They are also known to be “algae eaters” because they love to eat algae, which makes them a great choice for keeping your tank clean.
African dwarf frogs are very sensitive to water quality and need a well-established aquarium with stable water parameters. They also need a diet of live or frozen food, so make sure you can provide that before adding them to your tank.
Are Guppy Fish Social?
Guppy fish are social creatures that enjoy the company of other guppy fish. They are not aggressive and will often shoal together in groups.
While you can keep them with other species of fish, it is best to keep them with guppy fish so they can socialize and interact. These are one of the best community fish you can have in your aquarium.
I don’t think I need to explain what a community tank is, but just in case, A community fish tank is an aquarium that houses different species of fish together. The term “community” can also refer to the aquarium’s inhabitants.
Can You Keep Guppy Fish In A Community Tank?
Yes, guppy fish can be kept in a community tank with other peaceful fish. They are not aggressive and will do well with other small to medium-sized fish that are similar in size.
It is important to provide plenty of hiding places and vegetation for the guppy fish to feel comfortable and secure.
Guppy fish are not aggressive and will do well with other small to medium-sized fish that are similar in size. This is because they need plenty of hiding places and vegetation to feel comfortable and secure.
It is important to provide plenty of hiding places and vegetation for the guppy fish to feel comfortable and secure. This way, they will be less likely bullied by other fish in the tank.
Worst Tank Mates For Guppy Fish
Cichlids, betta fish, and angelfish are some of the worst tank mates for guppy fish. These aggressive fish can easily bully or even kill guppy fish. Therefore, it is best to avoid keeping these fish together in the same tank.
Cichlids
These are a group of fish that are famous for their aggressive behavior. They are often territorial and can be very aggressive towards other fish, even those much larger.
You will end up with dead guppies or no guppies in the tank if you keep them with cichlids that are large enough to eat them.
Betta Fish
Betta fish are also very aggressive and should not be kept with guppy fish. They attack and kill smaller fish, including guppy fish, and there is a chance that your fin nipping guppy will destroy all the beautiful fins of betta fish which can eventually lead to the death of your bettas.
Angelfish
Angelfish are another type of fish that can be aggressive towards guppy fish. They are often territorial and may attack and kill smaller fish that enter their territory. Therefore, it is best to avoid keeping these fish together in the same tank.
Do Guppy Fish Eat Shrimp?
Guppy fish do not eat shrimp, but it is possible that they might nibble on them if they are small enough.
If we are talking about shrimp that can become potential tank mates will stay safe and sound in the tank as long as they are larger than guppy mouth. So, feel free to keep Amano and Red Cherry shrimp with your guppies.
But if it is about the brine shrimp, then the situation is different. Brine shrimp are way too small for guppy fish to ignore, and they will eventually become a part of the diet.
Do Guppy Fish Eat Snails?
Guppy fish do not eat snails! So, so if you have a snail problem in your aquarium and are looking for a natural way to get rid of them, then keeping guppy fish is not the answer. Guppies will only help you with the snail population if they happen to eat them by mistake.
But the hard shell that protects snails will never make it possible for guppies to eat them on purpose. So, you can rest assured that your snails are safe from being eaten by the guppies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we can say that guppy fish are social creatures, and they do well in a community tank setup. They are peaceful fish and get along with most other tank mates. The best tank mates for guppy fish are small, peaceful, and have a similar diet. These little fish are very sensitive to water quality and need a well-established aquarium with stable water parameters. They also need a diet of live or frozen food, so make sure you can provide that before adding them to your tank. Thanks for reading! I hope this article was helpful. 🙂
Please comment below if you have any questions or want to share your experiences. I would love to hear from you! 🙂 Thanks again for reading. Have a great day! 🙂
Happy Fishkeeping!!!
