Guppy fish are interesting creatures, and it is normal for them to hide from time to time. However, if your guppies are constantly hiding, there may be a problem with your tank that you need to address. First, we need to understand why guppy fish hide to figure out what else we can do to make them come out and swim happily. So, why do guppy fish hide?
Guppy fish hide when they are not done acclimating to the tank or due to stress from bullying or inadequate water parameters. Poor water condition, incompatible tank mates, hunger, illness, anxiety, boredom, pregnancy, improper tank placement, and an improper male-to-female ratio can all cause guppy fish to hide.
If your guppy is constantly hiding and you cannot figure out why it is best to take them to a vet for a check-up.
This blog post will discuss the most common reasons guppies might hide and what you can do to bring them out into the open!
Is It Normal For A Guppy Fish To Hide?
Yes, it is perfectly normal for guppy fish to hide. Guppies are naturally shy and often seek out hiding spots when they feel threatened or stressed. However, if your guppy is hiding more than usual, it is probably a sign that something is wrong.
Guppies are social creatures and need stimulation to stay happy and healthy. So if they’re bored, they may start to hide.
To help keep your guppy from getting bored, consider adding more plants and hiding places to their tank. You can also try adding new tank mates compatible with your guppy’s personality.
Why Do Guppy Fish Hide?
Well, your shy little guppy could be hiding for several reasons. So let’s take a closer look at some of the most common reasons why guppies hide.
New Tank
If you just got your guppy and he is still getting acclimated to his new home, it is not uncommon for him to spend a lot of time hiding. However, he will come out more often once he feels more comfortable.
Acclimating to a new environment can get stressful for any fish, not just guppies. If the tank is too big or there aren’t enough hiding spots, your guppy may feel insecure and hide often.
Adding more plants and decorations to the tank can help your guppy feel more comfortable. Also, creating more hiding spots will give him somewhere to go when he feels overwhelmed.
Stress
There are a lot of things that can cause stress in guppies. For example, if the water parameters in their tank are not ideal, this can lead to stress. Other causes of stress include poor water conditions, incompatible tankmates, and hunger.
When guppies are stressed, they will often hide to feel safe. So if you think your guppy is stressed, the best thing you can do is to try and fix the problem. This may mean changing the water parameters or getting rid of aggressive tankmates.
Guppies are very sensitive to environmental changes and can get easily stressed. So if there are any new additions to the tank or a recent water change, this could be the reason your guppy is hiding.
Bullying
If you have multiple guppy fish in your tank, your guppy hides because the other fish are bullying them. Guppies are generally peaceful fish, but sometimes they can get picked on by more aggressive tankmates.
If larger or more aggressive fish are in the tank, they may chase and nip at the guppy. So, if you think this might be the case, try moving the aggressor to a different tank and see if your guppy comes out from hiding.
Incompatible Tankmates
Guppies are social creatures and do best in groups, but if they’re put in a tank with fish that are too large or aggressive, they can become stressed and start to hide.
If this might be the case, try moving your guppy to a different tank with more compatible fish. Guppies are peaceful fish but can sometimes be bullied by larger, more aggressive tankmates.
If you notice your guppy hiding and think this might be why to, try moving him to a different tank or adding more plants to provide hiding spots.
Poor Water Condition
Guppies are also sensitive to water conditions and can start to hide if the water in their tank is dirty or of poor quality.
Can you imagine living in your filth? No wonder they’re hiding! If you think this might be the case, try a water change and see if your guppy comes out from hiding.
If you think this might be the case, do a water test to check ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates levels and need to do a water change and clean the tank if they are high.
Inadequate Water Parameters
Now that we know guppies are sensitive to water conditions, it should come as no surprise that they can also start to hide if the water parameters in their tank are not ideal.
The most important water parameters for guppies are pH, temperature, and hardness. If any of these are out of range, your guppy might start to hide.
If you think this might be the case, check your tank’s water parameters and ensure they are within the ideal range for guppies. You can also try adding a water conditioner to see if that helps.
Illness
Your guppy might have some disease that makes them hide and find some peace and solitude to recover. Check your water parameters and do a full tank clean if necessary. If you think your guppy might be ill, quarantining them is the best action.
If your guppy is hiding and showing other signs of illness, such as lethargy, loss of appetite, or abnormal swimming behavior, it’s important to take him to the vet for a check-up.
Anxiety
Just like humans, guppies can get anxious and start to hide if they’re not feeling comfortable in their surroundings. This is usually the case when you bring them home, and they’re adjusting to their new tank mates and environment.
If your guppy is hiding and seems to be doing well otherwise, give them some time to adjust and see if they come out on their own. If not, you can try moving some plants around or adding a new decoration to the tank to give them some more hiding spots.
Boredom
Guppies are social creatures and need stimulation to stay happy and healthy. So if they’re bored, they might start to hide more often as a way of coping.
If you think your guppy is bored, try adding some new toys or decorations to the tank. You can also try rearranging the furniture in their tank to give them a new view.
Pregnancy
Guppies can get pregnant even if they’re the only fish in the tank. If you think your guppy is pregnant, she will likely start to hide more often as she looks for a safe place to have her babies.
Pregnancy can make guppies more prone to stress and anxiety, so it’s important to ensure they have plenty of hiding spots in their tank. You can also try adding a breeding trap to the tank to give her a safe place to have her babies.
Improper Tank Placement
If your guppy’s tank is placed in an area that is too loud or bright, they might start to hide more often. Guppies are sensitive to changes in their environment and need a calm and peaceful place to live.
They are also sensitive to light and noise and can start to hide if their tank is placed in a loud or brightly lit area.
Try moving your guppy’s tank to a different location in your home and see if that helps them feel more comfortable. You can also try adding some plants or decorations to the tank to help them feel more hidden.
Improper Male To Female Ratio
If you have too many males in your tank, they might start to bully the females and chase them around. This can cause stress and anxiety for the guppies, leading to them hiding more often.
It’s important to have a proper ratio of males to females in your tank. A good rule of thumb is to have one male for every two females. This will help reduce the amount of bullying and chasing that goes on in the tank.
Hunger
If your guppy is hiding and losing weight, they are probably hungry or starving. This is because guppies are constantly grazing and need a constant food supply.
If you think your guppy is hungry, try feeding them more often. You can also try adding some live plants to their tank that they can graze on.
How To Bring Guppies Out From Hiding?
It is not easy to tempt guppies to come out from their safe space when feeling shy. However, there are a few things that may work.
Add Hiding Spots
Guppies feel more comfortable when there are plenty of places to hide. Add some plants or other decorations to your tank to give them more options.
Adding floating plants to the tank can provide your guppy with some cover from the light. Driftwood can also provide hiding places for your guppy.
Patience
Remember, it takes time for guppies to get used to their new surroundings. It may take a few days or even weeks for them to feel comfortable enough to come out from hiding.
Please do not disturb them too much and give them time to adjust. With a little patience, your guppy will eventually come out of hiding.
Feed Them Good Food
Many guppy owners have had success tempting their fish out with food. Try offering them a treat or two and see if they come out to eat it.
Feed guppies their favorite foods, such as brine shrimp or bloodworms, which can entice them to come out from hiding.
These guppy fish are omnivores that will eat anything you drop in the tank. So, select their favorite food from the batch to lure them out. You can always feed guppies mosquito larvae or daphnia if you don’t have brine shrimp or bloodworms.
Change the Water Conditions
One reason why guppies hide is because they do not like the water conditions in their tank. They will go into hiding if the water is too cold or too hot.
Ensure the water temperature is within the ideal range for guppies, which is between 72-82 degrees Fahrenheit.
You should also test the pH levels and ensure they are neutral and slightly acidic. If all else fails, you may need to do a water change to improve the water quality.
Reduce The Light
Reducing the tank’s light can help reduce stress and make your guppy feel more comfortable. You can do this by covering the tank with a dark cloth or placing a dark object in front of the tank.
You should also avoid using bright lights near the tank as this can reduce your guppy’s stress levels.
Choose Compatible Tankmates
Guppies are social creatures and do best when you keep them in groups. They feel more comfortable and secure when they are around other fish.
Make sure to choose compatible tankmates for your guppy, such as other peaceful fish that will not bully them. Good tankmate options for guppies include mollies, platies, and swordtails.
Avoid Overcrowding
One of the most common reasons guppies hides is their overcrowdedness. Guppies need at least ten gallons of water per fish.
If you have too many guppies in your tank, they will start to feel stressed and may go into hiding. Ensure they with enough space to swim and plenty of hiding spots.
Maintain Male To Female Ratio
Another reason why guppies hide is because of the ratio of males to females. Guppies are known for being very territorial and often fighting with each other.
If too many males are in your tank, they will start to chase and bully the females. This can cause the females to go into hiding to escape the aggression.
Maintaining a ratio of two males for every female in your tank is best. This will help reduce the aggression and give the females some respite.
Why Are My Guppies Staying At The Surface?
There are a few reasons why your guppy may stay at the tank’s surface.
One reason is that the water temperature may be too cold for them. Guppies prefer water that is between 72-82 degrees Fahrenheit. If the water is too cold, they will go to the surface to try and find warmer waters.
Another reason they may stay at the surface is that they are not getting enough oxygen. Guppies need a lot of oxygen to survive and often go to the surface to get more air.
If you notice your guppy staying at the surface, you should check the water’s temperature and ensure it is within the ideal range. You should also make sure there is enough aeration in the tank.
Why Are My Guppies Hiding At The Bottom Of The Tank?
There are a few reasons your guppy may hide at the bottom of the tank.
One reason is that the water temperature may be too hot for them. Guppies prefer water that is between 72-82 degrees Fahrenheit. If the water is too hot, they will go to the bottom of the tank to try and find cooler waters.
Another reason they may be hiding at the bottom is that they are not getting enough oxygen. Guppies need a lot of oxygen to survive and often go to the bottom of the tank to get more air.
If you notice your guppy hiding at the bottom, you should check the water’s temperature and ensure it is within the ideal range. You should also make sure there is enough aeration in the tank.
Conclusion
Guppies are social creatures that need plenty of hiding spots and compatible tankmates to feel comfortable. Therefore, if you provide them with what they need, they will be less likely to hide.
If you notice your guppy hiding, check the water conditions and ensure they are within the ideal range. You should also make sure there is enough oxygen in the tank. If you provide them with what they need, they will be less likely to hide.
Do you have a question about your guppy? Leave a comment below, and we will try to help you out!
Check out our other blog posts for more guppy care tips.
As always, thanks for reading!
Happy Fishkeeping!
