11 Things You Should Never Do When Keeping Guppies

Guppies are one of the most popular freshwater aquatic fish all over the world. They come in different strains and hundreds of different color combinations. This is why guppies attract many fish enthusiasts. They are affordable and easy to keep as well.

But some guppy keepers are still having a hard time keeping this tiny, beautiful fish. So in this post, we will discuss all the things that you should never ever do when keeping guppy fish.

1. Buying Fish First Before Setting Up a Tank

It's tempting to buy a new fish when we suddenly see a really nice-looking fish in a fish store. But this is actually not a good idea.

Imagine buying new guppies without setting up their first tank — they will end up becoming homeless. You might have to keep them in a bucket temporarily, or worse, they may die while you're still setting up the tank.

Always set up a tank first before buying new guppies. This way, you can transfer them to their new home right away, and the chance of keeping them alive is very high.

2. Adding New Guppies to the Main Tank

Never ever release a newly bought guppy fish to your main tank. We like to add new guppies to our main tank, but we really don't know if that guppy is sick or worse — maybe carrying an infectious disease.

Instead, set up a quarantine tank. Treat your new guppies there first to make sure they are healthy before transferring them to the main tank. This way, you won't spread disease to your other guppies.

3. Releasing or Transferring Guppies to a Different Tank Right Away

Each tank has different water parameters, especially water temperature. Since guppies are tiny fish, they can easily be affected by slight changes.

Always acclimate your guppies first—5 minutes to 1 hour depending on the situation.

• If transferring to an established tank, acclimate for less than 15 minutes.

• If newly bought and shipped, acclimate for about 30 minutes to 1 hour.

4. Overfeeding Your Guppies

Never overfeed your guppies. They can only consume a small amount of food. Overfeeding can lead to complications like swim bladder problems, dropsy, and bloating. Leftover food also spikes ammonia levels and may poison your guppies.

Feed often in small amounts — this is much better than overfeeding.

5. Feeding Guppies at Night

Remember, guppies are live creatures like humans and need to rest. Feeding at night can cause digestive problems like dropsy.

Feed them during the daytime, ideally until 4:00 p.m. Stop feeding after 5:00 p.m., since they can no longer digest food properly. This will help prevent digestive issues and keep them healthy.

6. Overcrowding Your Tank

It's tempting to buy more guppies with different colors and patterns, but overcrowding leads to health problems. Too many fish in a single tank can lead to aggression, fin nipping, and even death.

Less is more — the fewer the guppies in a tank, the better their health will be.

7. Buying the Wrong Tank Size

Many fish keepers buy small tanks and too many guppies — or worse, use a bowl. This is wrong.

Each guppy needs 5 liters of water to live well. A 28-liter (7-gallon) tank is ideal for 5-6 guppy fry and suitable for breeding a trio of guppies.

8. Catching Your Guppies or Tapping the Tank Too Often

Guppies are easily stressed. Unlike cats or dogs, you can't pet them anytime. Tapping the tank or catching them often can cause serious stress.

Also, your hands may carry substances harmful to them. Keep your hands away from the tank to keep them safe.

9. Buying High-Quality Guppies If You're a Newbie

Never buy high-quality guppies if you're still new to keeping fish. They are expensive and high-maintenance.

Start with pet-grade or cheaper guppies. They are usually hardier and easier to keep, saving you money and giving you a chance to learn first.

10. Not Doing Regular Water Changes

Ammonia and other toxins build up over time, negatively affecting guppies. Regular water changes remove toxins and provide fresh water.

Stick to a schedule — but be careful. Too much water change is also not good.

11. Feeding a Low-Quality Diet

Never feed low-quality food. It can cause digestive issues. Instead, feed them high-protein pellets and live foods. This keeps them healthy and helps them grow well.

Final Thoughts

Always remember these 11 things you should not do to keep your guppies happy and healthy. These tips not only apply to guppies but also to other fish like mollies, swordtails, goldfish, and tetras.Thank you for reading—and happy fishkeeping!