What fish get along with guppies?

Almost every aquarist has one of the most unpretentious and easy-to-breed fish - guppies. The simplicity of the conditions of detention is balanced by the strict selection of neighbors. The entire existence and health of the species depends on this. Before settling several species of fish together, read the recommendations of the professionals.

Poecilia reticulata - aquarium fish (in the common people, guppies). They belong to the pitsilian family and were discovered by an English scientist at the end of the 18th century. This is the most popular fish for an aquarium and an excellent solution for an inexperienced aquarist, since these "calm guys" do not require much care and can even exist in a jar of water. True, in this case, one should not expect beautiful fins or fry.

Create the most minimal conditions for them: water volume 2000 ml per individual, water temperature + 23– + 26 degrees, hardness in the range from 10 to 25, acidity 6.5–7.5 and they will delight you with the spectacle of their courtship during the spawning season, or even be able to see the birth of live fry.

Food addictions of these gluttonous fish are unassuming, they eat absolutely any food and in any quantity. The most suitable options are: bloodworms, daphnia, cyclops, tubes, dry mixes. Vegetable feed will especially delight silent pets.

Guppy at all non-conflict fish and before other representatives of the aquatic kingdom, they have no means of protection. All a scared guppy can do is hide away... They mainly live in the upper layers of the body of water. Bushes of submerged hornwort or similar plants will become a secluded place for them.

Below you can watch a short video story about the guppy.

The entire appearance of the entire underwater world will depend on how much the inhabitants of the aquarium can get along with each other. It is much more pleasant to contemplate calm fish, delighting with bright colors than plucked, faded pets. When choosing neighbors, take into account the compatibility of these shy girls with other fish. Here are some companions for a prosperous life.

• Closely related mollies and platies. They are united by their way of reproduction, they are viviparous. For this reason, holding them together can make you feel like a breeder, getting unusual offspring by crossing.

• Swordsmen, despite the fact that, like the previous group, they are able to have a common offspring with guppies, they are sometimes extremely hot-tempered. In case of aggressive behavior on the part of swordsmen, there should be a safe refuge for the guppy.

• Another close relative is Endler's guppy. It is smaller in size than the common guppy, with a more variegated color, will make a good company for the guppy. Crossing between these species is possible with the most unusual result.

• Most bottom-dwelling fish can be kept together with guppies, their territories of residence and waking hours do not overlap, so there is no reason for conflict. A striking representative of this type of neighbors - catfish corridor, He is small in size, is a calm companion for the guppy. Another plus of such a joint residence is that the catfish is the main sanitary of the bottom. Catfish ancistrus is similar to a whale shark, the same harmless, good-natured pet, but it happens to eat small fish, even usually not included in their diet.

• Catfish plecostomus - this is a calm giant, if you do not violate its boundaries. He is oblivious to small guppies. But large individuals, reaching 25 cm, inadvertently suck guppies into their huge mouth. The night resident acanthophthalmus Kühl will perfectly fit into the aquarium for guppies, because they have no chance of meeting. The appearance and size of this serpentine fish attracts attention.

• Shrimps - unusual neighbors for guppies. Unlike fish, their lifestyle and way of feeding are fundamentally different, so shrimp do not pose any danger to guppies. An important plus is their participation in cleaning the aquarium.

• Some species get along well gourami: ocelatus, dwarf, chocolate... But this is only if the aquarium has a large volume and a sufficient number of secluded places for guppies.

• Fighting cockerel an excellent specimen for an aquarium, only here is a very cocky neighbor. He will not give anyone peace, but only during the spawning period.

• Danio - colorful, inquisitive fish that will be a pleasant company for guppies.

• Iris will decorate the aquarium and are well compatible with guppies. Water quality requirements are suitable for both types.

• Tetras - good neighbors, only if it is not a tetra-congo or a tetra-vampire. These subspecies are undesirable for guppies. The rest of the species are peaceful and unpretentious. Best friends for unpretentious pets are neon tetras. Cute neons like to gather in synchronized flocks, their interests do not coincide with the main inhabitants of the aquarium. By the way, neon people are more comfortable in water with a low level of hardness.

• Botia - the same conditions are suitable for these fish as for guppies. They will be able to get along well together. All species are about the same size, they have no reason to dominate the food chain.

• Terence - schooling fish. They live well in the same aquarium with guppies, provided that the terence population is more than eight individuals.

• Lyalius will not be the calmest neighbor for guppies, but still acceptable.Take care of secluded places, then they can get along well together.

• Parsing - there are many species, large individuals should not be settled next to guppies, but small specimens will not interfere with cohabitation at all.

• Malaysian glass there are two types: simple and capable of emitting light. The peculiarity of this species is that through the transparent body you can see the skeleton and internal organs. Small flocks get along well with guppies, without interfering with each other at all. But glass is a delicate fish, and improper water quality leads to various diseases.

• Goldfish - magical beauties, owners of a two-faced nature. In appearance, these are the cutest fish that have a pronounced hunting instinct. To add guppies to them would be a fatal mistake.

Larger species of fish can show aggression towards guppies - take their offspring for food or deliberately injure their fins. Such aggressors include scalars - the most beautiful fish behaves with restraint until it becomes a sexually mature individual. Unfortunately, joint maintenance with guppies will lead to their complete extermination. Therefore, scalars are critically incompatible with guppies.

One striped barb is a bully, and a whole flock of barbs are harmful dirty tricks... They seriously harm slow neighbors, injuring their fins and driving them to exhaustion. Joint content will be torment for the guppy. Macropods, labeos, piranhas, astronotuses, discus, gambosia, koi carps, some cichlids - the neighborhood with them is excluded, they are all true predators and are extremely dangerous to the health and life of guppies.

It is worth considering the following tips when choosing:

• before you start new pets, carefully read their maintenance features and the level of aggression;
• as a rule, larger individuals terrorize small brothers, take this into account when choosing neighbors;
• the number of pets depends on the size of the aquarium, do not create competition for the territory;
• the quality characteristics of the water in the aquarium should be suitable for all inhabitants;
• there is no place for predators in an aquarium with civilians;
• try to populate fish at the same time with the goal of future equality;
• fish raised together have less cause for conflict;
• watch the feeding, hungry pets become aggressive;
• during the spawning period, it is worth protecting the fry from the attacks of other fish;
• Make sure your tank has enough tucked-away areas of tall, dense algae.

By adhering to these recommendations, you will create ideal conditions for your pets for a comfortable life.

Next, see video sketches about the life of a guppy in the same aquarium with other fish.