Guppy fish is a popular type of aquarium fish that is native to North East and South America. They are small and colorful fish from the river and streams with dense vegetation and want a similar environment in their tank. Hence, it will leave you questions about the need to add aquarium plants and the consequences it follows. What if guppy fish eat up all the plants in your tank? Do they even eat plants? If they do, what plants will they eat?
The answer is yes – guppy fish will eat plants in your aquarium but not all kinds of plants. They are omnivores that will eat happily munch plant leaves while feeding on a meaty diet alternately. These guppies will nibble on soft leaves but not on the stem or roots. The good news is that you can keep live plants in a guppy fish tank as they are not destructive.
This article will discuss everything you need about guppy fish and plants. In addition, we will cover what plants guppies eat and which plants you should avoid keeping in your tank.
If you are wondering about all the questions related to guppies and plants, stay here and read the entire article below. It will help, trust me.
Do Guppy Fish Eat Plants?
Yes, guppies are known to eat plants. They will often graze on algae and other plant life in the wild.
Aquarium hobbyists typically provide their guppy fish with floating plants or live plants anchored to the bottom of the tank. Guppies will also consume plant matter in the form of pellets or flakes.
While guppies are not primarily herbivores, they will consume plants as a part of their diet. Plants can provide guppy fish with nutrients, hiding places, and oxygenation.
Some hobbyists have an all-plant tank, while others mix live plants with other decorations. It is important to research the plants you want to put in your guppy tank, as some plants are poisonous to fish.
Guppies are attracted to colorful and moving objects. So, if other fast-moving fish are in the tank, the guppies will get more interested in chasing them than eating plants.
Fancy guppies will get comfortable swimming around and nibbling on some plants if your aquarium only has peaceful fish like goldfish.
However, your guppies will not eat all the plants if there are enough hiding spots and other food sources in the tank.
Are Guppies Herbivores?
No, guppies are omnivores; hence you will find them eating plant and animal matter. Guppies mostly eat small insects, larvae, and crustaceans in the wild. However, they will also nibble on algae and other plants.
So, the chances of guppies going vegan is entirely on you if you don’t drop any meaty matter down the tank.
But then again, if you really choose to do that and leave meats behind, you might end up with a fish that is too weak to swim from one place to another.
Vegetables and fruits, along with meaty matter like bloodworms, daphnia, etc., are good for guppies.
This is because they contain essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals that help develop your fish.
You can feed them pellets made specifically for omnivores or drop live, frozen, or freeze-dried meat into the tank. Your guppies will be healthy and happy if there is a good variety.
Are Plants Good For Guppy Fish?
Plants are not only good for guppy fish but are essential for their survival. Plants help keep water quality high by absorbing nitrates and other toxins.
They also provide oxygen through photosynthesis and help to stabilize pH levels. As a result, guppies need plants in their tank to provide them with the nutrients they need to stay healthy and thrive.
And these plants even serve as food to starving guppies when you miss feeding them fish food. So, if you are considering starting a guppy fish tank, don’t forget to include some plants.
These leaves guppies nibble on have the necessary nutrients that help develop and with their hunger. Guppies prefer live plants in the tank for more than food purposes.
Plants also provide guppies with a sense of security as they can hide in them when they feel threatened.
So, plants not only make your guppy fish tank look beautiful but are also beneficial for the health and well-being of your fish.
But remember to strain yourself and add plants sparsely, as guppies hate densely planted tanks with very little space to swim.
What Plants Do Guppy Fish Eat?
Guppy fish are not picky eaters and will eat or just nibble on most soft-leafed aquarium plants. Some common plants that guppies like to munch on include anacharis, duckweed, mosses, hornwort, and java fern.
Guppies also like to eat algae, so adding some guppies may be a good solution if you have a problem with algae in your tank.
You can also give them live plants to munch on, like lettuce, spinach, or zucchini. Just make sure you remove any uneaten plants before they start decaying in the tank and polluting the water.
Why Are My Guppies Eating My Plants?
Guppies are generally not herbivores, but there are a few reasons your guppy fish might be eating your plants.
Hunger
The most common reason is that they are looking for food. If you don’t provide enough food for your guppies, they will start to eat anything they can find, including plants.
Make sure you are feeding your guppy enough food. If your guppy is hungry, it might try to eat the plants as a food source.
Improper Water Quality
Another possibility is that the tank is too high in Nitrates that are harmful to fish and cause them to become sick.
If you think this might be the case, you should test your water quality and ensure the nitrates are within a safe range. You can also try adding more plants to the tank to help filter out the nitrates.
First of all, check the water quality. If the water is dirty, your guppy might start trying to clean itself by eating the plants.
Good Taste
Finally, some plants simply taste good to guppies. This is more common with live plants but can also happen with fake plants.
If your guppy is constantly nibbling on the plants, you might want to try giving them a different type of plant to see if they prefer something else.
What Else Do Guppy Fish Eat?
In addition to plants, guppies will also eat small insects, larvae, and other tiny aquatic creatures.
Your guppies will eat anything you drop in the tank if it fits in their mouth. These guppy fish won’t even leave dead fish present in the tank.
Some pellets or flakes contain all the nutrients your guppy needs, but you can supplement their diet with live foods like brine shrimp or bloodworms.
It would help if you only fed them what they can eat in two minutes twice a day. Overfeeding your fish can cause them to bloat and die, so be careful not to overdo it. And, of course, underfeeding can also get in your way of raising healthy guppy fish.
Uneaten food can also foul your tank water, so be sure to remove any uneaten pellets or flakes after feeding time.
This is why having a good filter in your guppy tank is important – you don’t want all the food getting eaten before your fish get a chance!
How Often To Feed Your Guppy Fish?
If you’re wondering how often to feed guppy fry, you should feed them twice or thrice a day, depending on their age and health condition. The amount of food you give them should be enough that they can eat it all in about two minutes.
If you’re feeding them live food, like brine shrimp or daphnia, you can leave a small culture in their tank, and they’ll graze on it throughout the day. Then, as they age, you can start feeding them twice a day.
You might want to read more about:
- Do Guppy Fish Eat Shrimp?
- Can You Feed Mosquito Larvae To Guppies?
- Are Guppies Fond Of Eating Bloodworms?
- Is It Normal For Guppy Fish To Eat Other Dead Fish?
It would help if you fed adult guppies once or twice a day, depending on how much they eat. If you’re feeding them pellets, flakes, or other dry food, you can sprinkle a little in the tank, and they’ll find it. If you’re worried they’re not getting enough to eat, you can always feed them more often.
Do Guppies Destroy Plants?
No, guppies do not destroy plants. However, they may eat small amounts of plant matter if they are hungry.
It is important to provide enough food for your guppies, so they do not nibble on the plants in their tank. If you have live plants in your guppy tank, make sure the plants are not too big for the guppies.
Also, be careful of sharp edges on leaves or stems, as guppies can get cut. Finally, some plant species are poisonous to guppies, so research any plants you think of adding to your tank.
What Plants Are Poisonous To Guppies?
There are a few plants that are poisonous to guppies, including lilies, daffodils, and tulips. If you’re not sure whether a plant is safe for your guppy, it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid it.
What Plants Can You Keep In Guppy Fish Tank?
Plants are not only safe for your guppies but also provide hiding places and help keep the water quality high.
Some of the safe plants that you can keep in the guppy tank are:
Guppy Grass
These fast-growing plants bring so much goodness to the tank. It helps nitrate reduction, provides hiding places for baby guppies, and reduces stress levels.
Anacharis
This is another popular plant among fishkeepers as it oxygenates the water and provides a place for fry to hide.
Hornwort
Hornwort is a hardy plant that can grow fast. It can grow up to 15 inches in length and are too good for one to keep if you are a beginner.
You can find Hornwort in most pet stores that sell aquarium plants. This plant is good for guppy fish because it provides them shelter and hiding places.
Also, they can bring you a little stress as they won’t let other plants grow around them by releasing specific chemicals.
Java Moss
Java moss is a plant that can live in salt and fresh water. It is a low-maintenance plant that does not need much light or nutrients to grow.
Java moss is a good plant for beginners because it is very easy to care for, and guppies hide in java moss and use it as a spawning site.
This is also a good plant for breeding guppies because the fry can hide in the plants and avoid being eaten by their parents or other fish.
Anubias
Anubias is a slow-growing plant that is perfect for aquascaping. It is attached to driftwood or rocks and does not need much light, CO2, or nutrients to grow.
It has large green leaves that will only make your tank more greenery and beautiful. Anubias is a great plant for guppy fish tanks because it is beautiful, hardy, and can withstand a wide range of water conditions.
Why Is My Guppy Hiding In The Plants?
Guppies are timid fish who often hide when they feel scared or threatened. So if your guppy is hiding in the plants, it’s likely because he feels unsafe.
Please ensure the tank is covered and there are no other fish in the tank that might bully him. He may also be hiding because he’s sick, so keep an eye on him and take him to the vet if necessary.
You need to provide your guppy with plenty of hiding places in the tank – caves, plants, and other decorations will give him a place to feel safe. Once he feels secure, he’ll likely come out from hiding more often.
Conclusion
In conclusion, guppy fish eat plants and can benefit from having plants in their tank. Be sure to research the plants you want to put in your tank, as some may be poisonous to guppies. These fish are beautiful and fun pets to keep in your home aquarium. They are generally peaceful and easy to care for, making them a great choice for beginner fish keepers.
With a little care and attention, your guppy fish will thrive and bring you years of enjoyment.
Thanks for reading!
Good Luck!!
Happy Fishkeeping!!!
