Do you have a tank of guppy fish? Did they just give birth to little fry? I know how excited and curious we get when we want these guppy babies to grow faster and watch them go through various stages of their life. If so, you may wonder how long it takes for baby guppies to grow. And another question lingers as well: How quickly do baby guppy grow?
Baby guppy fish grow very quickly and attain their maximum size within six months to one year. However, their growth rate depends on several factors, such as water quality, temperature, diet, and space. Guppies go through different stages of growth: fry, juvenile, young adult, and old age. In the wild, guppies have a lifespan of two to three years. Each guppy fish will go through these stages at different rates.
This blog post will answer that question and provide tips on making baby guppies grow faster. We will also discuss the different growth stages of guppy fish and when they reach sexual maturity. Thanks for reading!
How Quickly Do Baby Guppy Fish Grow?
Guppy fish are one of the most popular freshwater fish in the world. They are relatively easy to care for and make great beginner fish.
Guppies are also livebearers, meaning they give birth to live young rather than lay eggs. So, considering getting guppies, you may wonder how quickly they grow.
Baby guppy fish grow very quickly, quicker than most people anticipate. You can find your guppy fish attaining their maximum size within the fifth or sixth months after their birth.
These fry can grow up to an inch each month. This means that a guppy fry born today could be half an inch long by the end of the week and one and a half inches long by the end of the month.
While most guppies will reach their full size within six months, some may take up to a year, and after that, you can happily start to breed your guppy fish in the home aquarium.
The growth of your guppy fish will depend on many factors, including the quality of their diet, water conditions, and tank mates.
It’s important to note that baby guppies are more delicate than adults and need special care. You’ll need to maintain optimal water conditions and provide them with a high-quality diet. You should also avoid overfeeding, as this can lead to health problems.
If you’re looking to get baby guppies, purchasing them from a reputable breeder or pet store is best. This will ensure they are healthy and have a good chance of surviving and thriving in your care.
How Long Does It Take For Baby Guppy To Grow Up?
Guppy fry, or baby guppies, are born fully formed and ready to start growing. They will grow very quickly for the first few weeks of their lives. After that, their growth rate will slow down but continue to grow until adulthood.
These fish will grow to their full size within six months or so. After that, however, they will continue to grow and fill out until around two years old. After that, their growth will taper off until they reach old age.
How Big Do Baby Guppy Grow?
The average size of a guppy is between one and two inches. However, the fry can be as small as a quarter of an inch when born. They will grow quickly for the first few weeks and add about half an inch per week.
The size of guppy fish depends on the variety. There are many different types of guppies, and each one can grow to a different size. Some of the larger varieties can grow to be three or four inches long.
Growth Stages Of Guppy Fish
You need to learn about the growth stages of guppy fish if you want to rear them effectively. There are generally five growth stages that your fry will go through before they become adults. These are:
Fry
The fry stage is when the guppy fish are born and start to grow. They will be very small at this stage, and you must feed them often. The fry will also need a lot of hiding places to feel safe.
Juvenile
The juvenile stage is when the guppy fish start to fill out, and their colors start to develop. They will be bigger at this stage, and you can feed them less often. The juvenile guppy fish will also need hiding places but not as many as the fry.
Young
The early stage is when the guppy fish are almost adults but are still growing. They can be fed every other day or so at this stage. The young guppy fish will also need a few hiding places but not as many as the fry or juvenile stages.
Adult
The adult stage is when the guppy fish are fully grown, and their colors are fully developed. You can feed them twice or thrice a day or every other day at this stage. The adult guppy fish will need a few hiding places but not as many as the fry, juvenile, or young stages.
Old Age
In the old age stage, the guppy fish start to slow down in their growth, and their colors start to fade. At this stage, you need to feed them once or twice a day or every other day according to their current appetite. The old-age guppy fish will need a few hiding places but not as many as the fry, juvenile, young, or adult stages.
How Do You Make Baby Guppy Grow Faster?
You can do a few things to help your fry grow faster and reach its full potential size. I know you are contemplating every small step you take to take care of baby guppy fish.
Here are some tips:
Maintain Water Parameters
One of the most important things you can do is to maintain proper water parameters for guppy fry. This means keeping the pH, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates at safe levels.
You can test your water quality with a kit from your local pet store. If any of these levels are too high or low, it can affect the health of your fish and slow down their growth.
Feed Them Good Food
Another thing you can do to help your fry grow is to feed guppy babies good quality food. Unfortunately, there are many different types of fish food on the market, so it can get not very clear to choose the right one.
I recommend looking for a fry food that is high in protein and has all the nutrients they need to grow. You can also give them live food, such as brine shrimp or bloodworms.
Feed Them Several Times A Day
It would help if you also fed your guppy fry more often than you would an adult fish. This is because they have small stomachs and need to eat more frequently.
You can feed these guppy babies after 3 to 4 hours of birth. I recommend feeding them three or four times a day.
Maintain The Temperature
Another important factor in fry growth is the temperature of the water. Guppies prefer water temperature that is between 72 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. If the water is too cold, it can slow down their growth.
You can use a heater to maintain the proper temperature for your fish. I also recommend getting a thermometer to keep an eye on the temperature of the water.
Remove Toxins
One last thing you can do to help your fry grow is to remove toxins from the water. Ammonia and nitrites are two of the most common toxins in aquariums.
You can remove these toxins by regular water changes and using a filter in the guppy fry tank. I also recommend using an aquarium vacuum to clean the gravel and remove debris from the tank’s bottom.
Provide Enough Space
As your fry grows, they will need more space. I recommend starting them in a ten-gallon tank. Once they start to outgrow that, you can move them to a larger tank.
Transfer Adults In Another Tank
Once your fry reaches adulthood, you must transfer the adults to another tank. This is because they can be aggressive towards the fry and compete with them for food.
You can sell the adults or give them away to another aquarium owner. I also recommend keeping only one male guppy per tank.
How Long Does It Take For Baby Guppies To Get Their Color?
One of the most exciting things about guppy fry is watching them develop their color. Most guppies are born with a dull gray or brown color.
They will start developing the bright colors we all associate with guppies as they grow. The amount of time it takes for guppy fry to develop its color can vary depending on several factors.
Some of the things that can affect the speed of color development are:
- The quality of the water they are living in
- The type of food they are eating
- How often they are being fed
- The temperature of the water
Generally, it takes anywhere from two to four weeks for baby guppies to develop their color.
However, there are some cases where it can take longer. If you are concerned that your fry is not developing its color as quickly as it should be, check the water quality and temperature. You can also try feeding them a different type of food.
Conclusion
In conclusion, baby guppy fish can grow quickly if the right conditions are met. They will typically reach their full size in about two to three months. However, they will not develop their bright colors until they are six weeks old. Nevertheless, you can do some things to help them grow even faster, such as providing them with good food and maintaining several things you can do to help your fry grow. These include maintaining proper water parameters, feeding them good quality food, and providing enough space.
If you have any more queries, feel free to ask in the comments below. Do you have baby guppies? Please share your experience with us in the comment section below.
Happy Guppy Keeping! 🙂