Cleaning your aquarium is a really hard task if you don’t have the right tools and know-how. And wish to have a fish that can clean their tank is quite normal, but that will not make your fish actually clean the tank. So, do guppy fish clean the tank? This is a question that many aquarium owners ask.
The answer is NO. Guppy fish do not clean their tank and are not good cleaners. In fact, they are quite messy eaters and often leave a lot of uneaten food behind, which can dirty up your water quickly. Guppies are relatively low-maintenance fish, but it is still important to keep their tank clean.
In this blog post, we will explore the topic of aquarium maintenance and discuss how to keep your tank clean – whether you have guppies or any other fish!
Do Guppy Fish Clean The Tank?
No, guppy fish do not clean the tank. They are quite messy fish, and their waste can quickly dirty the water. You will need to do regular water changes to keep the guppy tank clean for them.
You cannot rely on guppies to clean their own tank. They are someone like otocinclus or plecos who will happily eat up the dead and decaying matter in the tank.
And they are not the algae eaters you are searching for, even though you will see your guppies nibbling on them once in a while.
So, if you want to keep your guppy tank clean, you must do regular water changes. How often you change the water depends on how many fish you have in the tank and how big the tank is.
But the bottom line is your guppy fish is not the cleaner upper you are looking for in a pet. They are beautiful fish that bring color and life into your home, but you must be prepared to do extra work to keep their tank clean.
Do some research on what other fish might be good tank mates for your guppies, and consider adding a few to help with the cleaning.
Why Do People Think Guppy Fish Clean The Tank?
Honestly, I have no idea where this notion started and why. But I guess it had/has something to do with the fact that these guppies eat dead fish and algae in the aquarium.
So, people may have thought that they must clean the tank in the process since they are consuming all this waste.
However, this is not true at all, and here’s why.
First of all, guppies don’t really eat that much algae. They will go for it if there’s nothing else to eat, but they much prefer live food such as brine shrimp, daphnia, or mosquito larvae.
Secondly, guppies don’t consume all the waste in the aquarium. They only eat what they can find floating around and what’s accessible to them.
The majority of the waste in the aquarium is actually in the gravel, and these fish don’t really dig around in there.
So, if you’re looking for a fish that will help you keep the tank clean, guppies are not your best bet. There are other fish that do a much better job at it.
Do Guppies Dirty Water?
Sadly yes, guppies do dirty water.
I know it’s not what you wanted to hear. But the truth is that all fish produce waste and guppies are no exception.
Now, the amount of waste they produce depends on a few factors, such as their diet, how big they are, and how many of them are in the tank.
But even with just a few guppies, you will still need regular water changes to keep the water quality high. And stop blaming guppy fish for all the dirt in the tank. If you have other fish and live plants in the tank, they all contribute to the water’s waste.
Are Guppies Messy Fish?
This is a difficult question to answer because it really depends on your definition of “messy”. If you consider a fish that produces a lot of waste and needs frequent water changes to be messy, guppies are messy fish.
But if you consider a fish that makes a big mess in the tank with their food or swimming around, guppies are not particularly messy.
Guppies have a reputation for being messy eaters and making a mess of their food. But this is only because they are such small fish, and their food is often too big for them.
They will inevitably drop some food while trying to eat it, which can look like a mess. But if you give them the right size food, they will be much neater eaters.
What Fish Can Clean The Guppy Tank?
There are actually quite a few different types of fish that can help to keep the guppy tank clean. Some of the most popular options for algae eaters for the fish tank include:
- Bristlenose Plecostomus
- Siamese Algae Eater
- Chinese Algae Eater
- Otocinclus Catfish
- Whiptail Catfish
Most of the catfish options will be the best at helping keep the tank clean. This is because they have a suckermouth that allows them to attach to surfaces and help eat algae.
The plecostomus is also a popular choice because it is a larger fish that can do a good job of eating up any leftover food that the guppies may have missed.
Each fish has different benefits and drawbacks, so be sure to research before choosing one (or a few) to add to your tank.
Other options, such as shrimps and snails, are generally not as effective at cleaning the tank and can add to the mess if not kept in check. I will list some of the best options below so that you can decide what will work best for your aquarium.
- Nerite Snails
- Mystery Snails
- Ramshorn Snails
- Amano Shrimp
- Cherry Shrimp
How Do You Keep A Guppy Tank Clean?
There are a few different things that you can do to keep the guppy tank clean. In addition to adding some cleanup crew fish to your tank, there are a few other things you can do to help keep it clean.
Do Regular Water Changes
Another important aspect of aquarium maintenance is changing the water regularly. This will help remove any waste and debris in the tank. It is also a good way to replenish the necessary minerals and nutrients in the water.
This means you will remove some of the water from the tank and replace it with fresh, clean water. You should remove about 20% of the water each week and replace it with fresh, clean water. This will help to keep the water quality high and will also help to prevent algae growth.
For a small tank, it is best to do a partial water change of about 20-25% once a week. Larger tanks may need a larger water change of 50% or more.
During your weekly water change, you will also need to remove any algae or debris from the tank. This can be done with a gravel vacuum or by carefully siphoning the water into another container.
You should also clean the filter during your weekly water change. This will help remove any build-up of waste and debris.
Vacuum The Gravel
You should also vacuum the gravel each week. To do this, you must remove all fish from the tank and vacuum the gravel. This will help remove any debris and waste accumulated on the gravel.
After you have vacuumed the gravel, you should then clean the filter. To do this, you will need to remove the filter and rinse it in cold water.
This will help remove any debris and waste accumulated on the filter. You should also clean the glass of the tank each week. This can be done with a sponge or algae pad.
Add Plants To The Tank
Plants can also help to keep the tank clean. They will help to absorb some of the waste and debris in the water. This will help to keep the water quality high and will also help to prevent algae growth.
Adding live plants to the guppy tank can also help provide hiding places for the fish and make the tank more aesthetically pleasing.
Remember, these guppies don’t like a densely planted tank, as it will make them feel insecure. So, don’t go overboard with the plants. A few strategically placed plants will do the trick.
Anubias and Java Fern are two good choices for live plants that can tolerate a wide range of water conditions and are not too demanding.
You can also add some fake plants to the tank if you want. Just ensure they are safe for aquarium use and won’t tear your fish’s fins.
Some people also like to add a piece of driftwood to their tank. Driftwood can provide a natural look and feel to the tank and some needed hiding places for the fish.
Just be sure to soak it in water for a few days before adding it to the tank so that it doesn’t release too much tannic acid into the water and lower the pH.
If you decide to add live plants or driftwood to your tank, be sure to do your research first. Many different types of plants and driftwood are available, and not all are suitable for aquariums.
Feed Proper Amount Of Food
You should also ensure that you feed your guppy fish the proper amount of food. Overfeeding can cause excess waste and debris in the tank. This can lead to poor water quality and algae growth.
Guppy fish are omnivores and require a diet of both plant and animal matter. A good quality flake food or pellet will provide the necessary nutrients.
You can also supplement their diet with live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, or bloodworms. Vegetables such as zucchini, spinach, and peas are also a good addition to the guppy fish diet.
If you are unsure of how much or how often to feed your guppy fish, it is best to err on the side of caution and underfeed them. You can always give them more food if needed.
Removing any uneaten food from the tank after a few minutes is also important. This will help keep the water clean and prevent the overgrowth of algae.
How Often Do I Need To Change Guppies’ Water?
You will need to change the water in your guppy tank more often than you would with other fish, as they are very messy.
Aim to change the water every week and do a partial water change of 50% every other week. This will help keep the water clean and free of toxins.
If you have difficulty keeping up with the water changes, consider getting a filter. A filter will help keep the water clean and make your life a lot easier. Just clean the filter regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Your guppy fish cannot survive without a filter or proper water change. So, it is important to do both to keep your fish healthy and the water clean.
Guppies are also messy eaters, so you may find that there is a lot of uneaten food floating around in the tank. Try to feed them smaller meals more often so they can eat all their food.
Conclusion
In conclusion, guppies are not the best fish to have if you’re looking for a clean tank. They are messy eaters and produce a lot of waste. However, they are very easy to care for and make great beginner fish. If you do decide to get guppies, remember aquarium maintenance is important for keeping your fish healthy and happy. Guppy fish are relatively easy to care for and make a great addition to any aquarium.
Following these simple tips, you can keep your guppy tank clean and toxins-free. This will ensure that your fish are healthy and happy. Thanks for reading! I hope this has been helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below or contact me directly. I’m always happy to help!
Good Luck!!
Happy Fishkeeping!!