Those live plants in the tank often give a natural vibe to aquarium owners, and when it comes to the guppy tank, the image just doesn’t stop. We contemplate all the greenery and guppy colors complementing each other so well that we often forget an important question- do guppy fish need live plants? Many people, especially beginners who own or think of owning guppies, have this question.
The answer to this question is yes; guppy fish need live plants in their tank as these plants offer many essential benefits to the fish. For example, these plants produce oxygen and help to regulate the levels of carbon dioxide in the water. This, in turn, creates a much healthier environment for your guppies to live in.
Live plants provide oxygenation, help regulate carbon dioxide levels, and serve as a food source for your guppy fish. Guppies are curious creatures and often nibble on anything they see in their tank, including live plants.
In this blog post, we will explore why guppies need live plants and what kind of plants they like best. While some aquarium enthusiasts would recommend a tank with live plants to anyone, others believe that it’s not necessary and might even be harmful to the fish. So, if you are looking for some answers about keeping your guppies healthy and happy, keep reading!
Do Guppy Fish Need Live Plants?
Guppy fish is a type of freshwater fish popular among aquarium enthusiasts. While they are relatively easy to care for, there are still some important considerations to keep in mind when setting up a guppy tank. One of the most important questions is whether or not guppies need live plants.
The answer to the above question is Yes, guppy fish need live plants in their tank. If you have ever researched the natural habitat of guppy fish, you would have known how much these fish appreciate and love live plants.
In the wild, guppy fish live in freshwater streams full of vegetation. As a result, having live plants in their tank is essential to provide them with the proper environment they need to thrive.
Your guppies love densely planted tanks, but that doesn’t mean you only need to fill that tank with plants. Try to use it sparsely along with some decorations and other tank equipment.
Why Do Guppy Fish Need Live Plants?
Yeah, I know why you need o know the importance of live plants in guppy fish life, and they need plants for a better lifespan. So here are some key points that will help you know more about it.
Guppies are one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish for a reason: they’re relatively easy to care for, incredibly colorful, and they breed like crazy.
But even though they’re not terribly demanding, there are still some things you need to do to make sure your guppies are happy and healthy. One of those things is adding live plants to their tank.
There are several reasons why guppy fish need live plants:
Oxygenation
One of the most important reasons guppy fish need live plants is that it helps oxygenate the water.
The plant roots help draw in oxygen from the air and release it into the water. This is especially important if you have a lot of fish in a small tank, as they can quickly deplete the oxygen levels in the water.
Aesthetic
Another reason to add live plants to your guppy tank is that it looks nicer than an empty tank! Guppies are such colorful little fish and look even more beautiful when swimming among lush plants.
Helps To Mimic Natural Habitat
Guppies live in slow-moving streams and rivers with plenty of vegetation in the wild. Adding live plants to their tank helps mimic their natural habitat and makes them feel more at home.
Remove Toxins
Live plants also help remove toxins from the water. They do this by absorbing nitrates and other toxins through their roots.
These toxins can build up in the water and cause problems for your guppy fish. Having live plants in their tank can help remove these toxins and keep your fish healthy.
Hiding Spots
Guppies are timid fish and love to have plenty of hiding spots in their tank. Live plants give them a sense of security and help them feel more comfortable in their environment.
It is natural for guppy fish to hide among the plants in their tank. This is because they feel more secure when they can hide and are less likely to be eaten by predators.
Do Guppies Eat Live Plants?
Well, I think you cannot keep an omnivorous fish on the stand for doing something as natural as nibbling on aquarium plants. So, here is your answer: yes, guppy fish eat plants, but not all of them are fond of them.
Some guppies will nibble on soft, leafy green plants, while others will go for the harder plants and decorations in the tank. You need to understand that these fish will not destroy or finish all the plants in the tank.
They will only eat what they need and leave the rest. So, if you see that your guppy is nibbling on a plant, don’t worry too much about it.
Why Do Guppy Fish Eat Live Plants?
Did you just see your guppy fish nibbling on the live plants in their tank? Why do guppy fish eat live plants, and is it something you should be worried about?
Generally, there are a few reasons why guppy fish may decide to nibble on some greenery. Hunger, boredom, curiosity, and stress are all common causes.
If your guppy is simply munching on a plant here and there, it does probably not cause concern. However, if they’re eating plants voraciously or destroying entire leaves, it could signify something is wrong.
There are a few reasons why guppy fish may nibble on live plants. I will explain each of them below.
Hunger:
Your guppy fish may be nibbling on plants because they’re hungry. If you haven’t been feeding them enough or if they’re pregnant, they may turn to plants for sustenance.
Pregnant guppies especially need more food, so make sure to up their meals if you think this may be why they’re eating plants.
Boredom:
Another common reason guppy fish eat live plants is boredom. If your guppies don’t have enough to do in their tank, they may start nibbling on plants out of boredom.
To solve this problem, you can add more toys and decorations to their tank. This will give them something to do and may discourage them from eating plants.
Curiosity:
Guppy fish are curious creatures by nature. For example, they may start nibbling on plants simply because they’re curious about what they taste like.
If this is why your guppy is eating plants, there’s not much you can do to stop them. However, you can try adding more plants to their tank, so they have more to explore.
Stress:
Finally, stress is another common reason guppy fish eat live plants. So if your guppies are stressed, they may start nibbling on plants as a way to cope.
This could be due to poor water quality, too many other fish in the tank, or not enough hiding spots. Ensure their tank is set up correctly and they have plenty of places to hide to reduce stress.
Can Live Plants Kill Guppy Fish?
While live plants are generally good for guppy fish, there is a possibility that they can kill them. This is usually because the plants are not properly cared for and release toxins into the water.
If you notice your guppies acting strangely or dying, removing any live plants from their tank might be worth removing.
We often fail to research the plants we add to the aquarium, which is our biggest mistake. Instead, try to check and learn more about the live plants and know what type of chemicals they emit during their growth stages.
What Kind Of Plants Do Guppies Need?
Guppies need plants that are easy to care for and won’t release toxins into the water. They also need plants that will provide hiding spots and places to explore.
These fish will not point out things they hate or don’t need, so it is up to their owners to provide them with the best environment possible.
Some good plant choices for guppies include:
- Guppy Grass
- Moss Balls
- Anacharis
- Hornwort
- Java Moss
- Java Fern
- Anubias
Do Guppies Like Floating Plants?
Guppies are social creatures that love to move around in schools. Unfortunately, because of their constant movement, they often uproot live plants.
This can damage the plant, and might not grow back as robustly as before. For this reason, it’s best to keep floating plants in your guppy tank rather than rooted ones.
Guppies like floating plants because they provide hiding spots and places to explore. Floating plants also help to keep the water clean and free of toxins.
What Do Guppies Need In Their Tank?
In addition, to live plants, guppies need a few other things in their tank to stay healthy and happy. They need clean water, a good filtration system, and plenty of hiding spots.
Guppies also need a nutritious diet, and you need to feed these guppy fish as often as once or twice a day.
It would help if you gave them live or frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, and high-quality flake or pellet food.
I will list all the equipment and supplies you need to set up a guppy tank below:
- Heater
- Thermometer
- Filter
- Gravel
- Air pump (Optional)
Conclusion
In conclusion, Guppies are beautiful and fun fish to keep in your home aquarium. They are relatively easy to care for and make great beginner fish. Guppies need a few things to stay healthy and happy, including live plants, clean water, hiding spots, and a nutritious diet. With the proper care, your guppies will thrive in your home aquarium for years to come. Live plants will help to oxygenate the water, remove toxins, and provide hiding spots for your guppies. They will also help to mimic the natural habitat of your guppies. Do some research to find out which plants are best for your guppy tank. I have listed a few of my favorites above. Guppies are fun and easy fish to keep, so get started today!
Do you have any questions about keeping guppies? Leave a comment below, and I’ll be happy to answer them! Thanks for reading!
Happy Fishkeeping!!!