SParsons

Hello, I just got a call from a friend and she said that she volunteers with the playschool and that they have a 50 gal fish tank with guppies (not to sure how many) and a pleco. She wants to hire me to take care of the fish but I just have a couple general questions before I take this on. What is the maximum number of guppies she can have in there? Is the Pleco ok to have with guppies? What temperature should they be kept at? Apparently the tank is really dirty and not cared for, any tips? And also, how long do guppies usually live for?
Steph

COBettaCouple

The common pleco is ok with the guppies. That tank is just below what a pleco's minimum tank size (55g) is, but should be ok with maintenance to keep the water parameters right and the waste from the pleco under control.

I would keep the temp around 76F and consider 100% water change. First remove the fish to temporary containers or buckets that could be covered enough to prevent jumpers. Then clean the substrata and move it into buckets/containers that had enough treated water to cover the substrata.. you could also put the filter sponges and live plants (if any) in with the substrata. Then you could empty and clean the tank well, cleaning any decor and putting the decor with the substrata. Refill the tank to about 25%, put the substrata back in and decor, then fill it to near full. I'd put new filter floss in the filter and put the sponges back in after the filter was running. Lastly you could float the fish and acclimate them.

Guppies live about 2 years, give or take 1/2 year, I think.

If it were just the gups, I'd say about 25-30. With the Pleco in there, maybe half of that? See what others say before carving that guess-timate in stone.

Chief_waterchanger

The common pleco could survive in there, but I don't think by the time it is adult-size it will thrive in there. Would really need a 75-125 gallon tank for a common pleco to have the room to comfortably turn around and hide and stuff, but that's just my opinion.

If it were just the guppies you could have 50 of them in there without trouble. There should be enough in there that they'd eat the babies born (which would be added protein for them.) With the pleco though 20 of them plus the pleco would be okay. Again, this is just my opinion. Dave's numbers are more conservative, and may make your tank maintenance easier to get a handle on if you are not a seasoned fishkeeper.

swords3711

they live for about two years or so

COBettaCouple

Good point and very true! I think you'll see more activity out of an adult pleco too when the tank is big enough for him to be comfortable in. Not to mention more room for BIG hiding spots for him.

lyndatu

Yes, the pleco is fine with the guppies. Guppies usually live for 3 years, but with great care they can live a little longer. Guppies are also very prolific breeders, so if you have a male and a female, don't be surprised to see lots of baby guppies very often.

Good luck!