Can I just let guppies be guppies?

I had a 10 gallon tank. Had a couple fancy goldfish, one lasted 2 years another lasted about 2 years more. I figured I did for them what I could with what I had. Tried a few other fish that didn't work out and eventually bought some guppies. Bought 3, one was pregnant and had about 8 or 10 fry, all but one got eaten. Now I have one native, went out and bought 2 more. Well, one of those was pregnant and gave me like 30 or more fry! After she gave birth (or whatever you call it when a fish 'fries') my two remaining adults were not interested in them for food so I had a LOT of little guys in that 10 gallon. That was a month ago, fast forward to today and I have a 30 gallon tall with about, as best as i can count, 26 guppies.

Sorry for all that, but that's how I got here. Moved into new tank, water tests beautifully, they are all happy and I added a couple Nerite snails. I swear, a couple of those little fry look pregnant already. What happens if I just let them be them, don't worry about male to female ratio and let them breed? Will I wake up one morning to a dead tank? Will the strong survive and the others be ok? Besides obvious signs like low O2 or runaway water tests what to expect?

As always, thanks in advance,
James

 

I have a tank like you describe. I let the guppies breed and make more guppies continuously. I have some other fish in there - tetras, and lots of plants.

The tetras will keep the population in check by eating most of the babies, but the plants will give cover and a few baby guppies survive and keep the party going.

My tank has been going strong like this for many many years.

 

(or whatever you call it when a fish 'fries')

As always, thanks in advance,
James

When a fish fries, I call it dinner.

Good luck with your tank.

 

I have a tank like you describe. I let the guppies breed and make more guppies continuously. I have some other fish in there - tetras, and lots of plants.

The tetras will keep the population in check by eating most of the babies, but the plants will give cover and a few baby guppies survive and keep the party going.

My tank has been going strong like this for many many years.

Just what I wanted to do, I hope to get those results. Thank you!

 

Imagine the steady balance point for your tank. Then make small gentle adjustments to the ecosystem to realize your vision!

 

When you're dealing with a larger group of guppies, it doesn't matter what the male:female ratio will be. And guppies will leave those fry alone once you're dealing with a large group of guppies.

 

No you cant just "let it go" because, fish die. Dead fish get eaten, rot and cause huge ammonia spikes. Then they will all get sick and die. There isn't survival of the fittest in an wnckosed aquarium. Your god your charles Darwin. Cull skinny sick or bent spines. Disease are contagious. You need to do maintaince. Lots of water changes (2x a week 30-40% for healthy guppies)

 

they'll breed until they die. do water changes to keep nitrate low and let them be. pick out any dead or ill guppies along the way.

 

2x a week 30-40% for healthy guppies

I hope you mean doing this only when a disease is going around. For a wc twice a week is a bit much to keep guppies healthy. I'm not doing that so much and my guppies are really healthy.

I truly do believe that doing a more frequent wc is good when we are dealing with a disease or too much ammonia. But multiple wcs in a week doesn't make sense to me when everything is okay. For in a normal situation you're not stabilizing the water when there are such short intervals between wcs in a tank. You do need to give it time to let the water settle. I've been doing this way of wcs for almost 5 decades now and it has always worked well. A lot of older people who have kept tanks already for so long will recognize this way of wcs. You hardly heard such problems that needed multiple wcs back then.
In most topics I read where there are inbalances in the tank, are caused by too many wcs in a very short time frame. Tank water needs time to settle. How can tank water settle if it gets disturbed by another wc in such a short time frame? For tapwater does contains metals (and/or chlorine... depending on where one lives)., which isn't always the best water to keep fish in.
Most of my tanks are breeding tanks and my tanks can be overstocked but I still have a better water balance in my tanks than a lot of other people have if I read all the problems they have.

Of course, everybody's got his/her own opinion about his. But this is how we did it all these years and it worked and still works perfectly.

Dead fish get eaten, rot and cause huge ammonia spikes.

It's always good to get dead fish out of the tank to avoid worse.

 

I also keep Kuhli loaches in my continuous guppy tank. Khulis seem to cruise through the substrate and eat stuff. Sort of like worms. I believe that the Kuhlis must be eating any dead baby guppies. I have Nerite snails in there as well.

 

Stan, as a guppy hobbyist you should know that 2 times a week 30% water change is healthy and appropriate. Get use to what? High nitrates low ph high co2..... It's the same water only freshing it up. That's how you make them healthy and big. Getting rid of toxins and hormones is important for growth of big healthy fish. Most breeders do at least once a week 40% alot do twice a week and some do daily small 10% water changes to get optional growth. Maybe you personally don't change your water that much, and it's certainly an old fashioned way .... but thats not the concensus among guppy breeders worldwide.

 

Stan, as a guppy hobbyist you should know that 2 times a week 30% water change is healthy and appropriate. Get use to what? High nitrates low ph high co2..... It's the same water only freshing it up. That's how you make them healthy and big. Getting rid of toxins and hormones is important for growth of big healthy fish. Most breeders do at least once a week 40% alot do twice a week and some do daily small 10% water changes to get optional growth. Maybe you personally don't change your water that much, and it's certainly an old fashioned way .... but thats not the concensus among guppy breeders worldwide.

I do get your point but it's not needed overhere. And my guppies (and other fish) are healthy. It's a matter of having a well balanced tank. I also do have to say that there are way more keepers and breeders overhere in Western Europe who do work the same way with success. Because of my activities within this field, I also stay in touch with other european guppy breeders.
But don't get me wrong. I myself am not saying that there's just one good way to keep and to breed guppies (or whatever fish). There are more good ways to keep and to breed guppies.

Btw, I had another check up from the Fishhealth Rapport Analysis Organization 2 weeks ago. This control is conducted by the company "Fishhealth". This company is officially designated by the government. Because I also trade fish at aquarium fairs in the Netherlands, it is essential that you are registered in connection with the correct trading and maintenance of the fish. Because I am registered, I can be checked without any notice, just like 2 weeks ago. And everything was correct up to the water parameters.

When they were done, the check up was signed by the ceo of the company, a veterinarian and an ichthyo-pathobiologist.

 

OP, I change two thirds of the water in my continuous guppy tank about once a month.

A balanced tank does not need a lot of water changes to remain stable.

 

I hope you mean doing this only when a disease is going around. For a wc twice a week is a bit much to keep guppies healthy. I'm not doing that so much and my guppies are really healthy.

I truly do believe that doing a more frequent wc is good when we are dealing with a disease or too much ammonia. But multiple wcs in a week doesn't make sense to me when everything is okay. For in a normal situation you're not stabilizing the water when there are such short intervals between wcs in a tank. You do need to give it time to let the water settle. I've been doing this way of wcs for almost 5 decades now and it has always worked well. A lot of older people who have kept tanks already for so long will recognize this way of wcs. You hardly heard such problems that needed multiple wcs back then.
In most topics I read where there are inbalances in the tank, are caused by too many wcs in a very short time frame. Tank water needs time to settle. How can tank water settle if it gets disturbed by another wc in such a short time frame? For tapwater does contains metals (and/or chlorine... depending on where one lives)., which isn't always the best water to keep fish in.
Most of my tanks are breeding tanks and my tanks can be overstocked but I still have a better water balance in my tanks than a lot of other people have if I read all the problems they have.

Of course, everybody's got his/her own opinion about his. But this is how we did it all these years and it worked and still works perfectly.

I agree. I shipped 30 adult guppies from my 20 gallon long tank yesterday, and there are probably that many still there, along with God only knows how many fry. I do one 25% water change weekly, if I have time. When I check nitrates it's rarely over 20 ppm.

 

There's alot more to water quality than just nitrates

I agree. I shipped 30 adult guppies from my 20 gallon long tank yesterday, and there are probably that many still there, along with God only knows how many fry. I do one 25% water change weekly, if I have time. When I check nitrates it's rarely over 20 ppm.

There's growth inhibiting hormones. Guppies come from south America which gets alot of rainfall. Fresh water is always a good thing. If you want to raise big healthy fish then water changes are necessary. Crowding guppies in a 20 or 30 gallon tank and not changing the water or culling will eventually lead to skinny stunted weak guppies. But what do I know ive only been in the hobby 15 years

 

Just my $0.02, based on my own experience, constant water changes aren't necessarily needed. BUT - just stating the obvious - things like temperature, bioload, amount of live plants, types of plants, depth of gravel can all factor in. The answer isn't absolute, it just depends.

I only do very occasional water changes on my 5 guppy tanks and they are all very healthy and (and productive). That said all the factors listed above are skewed positively in my tanks to allow that. Just educate yourself and find your balance point.

 

OP, I change two thirds of the water in my continuous guppy tank about once a month.

A balanced tank does not need a lot of water changes to remain stable.

I totally agree...

There's alot more to water quality than just nitrates


There's growth inhibiting hormones. Guppies come from south America which gets alot of rainfall. Fresh water is always a good thing. If you want to raise big healthy fish then water changes are necessary. Crowding guppies in a 20 or 30 gallon tank and not changing the water or culling will eventually lead to skinny stunted weak guppies. But what do I know ive only been in the hobby 15 years

Whitewolf, we do get your point. But rainwater shouldn't be compared to tap water. Fresh rain water is different than tap water. And as I've already mentioned, my fish are healthy and grow up nicely as they should. Yes, a more frequent water change does make guppies grow up faster but if they grow less fast, they're much stronger is my experience. And I don't have stunted nor weak fish.
We're not saying that your way isn't okay. I've mentioned before, there are more ways to maintain fish in a good way. If your way works, it works. It's as simple as that.
And yes, I respect your 15 year of experience. But I hope that you respect my almost 50 years of experience as well. But despite of a long time of experience, we all still learn...

 

OP, I change two thirds of the water in my continuous guppy tank about once a month.

A balanced tank does not need a lot of water changes to remain stable.

I do a 3 gallon bucket every week for water change. With the substrate and keeping the water about an inch to inch and a half low I'm totally taking a SWAG and calling my tank about 26 to 27 gallons. So about 10% or a little better a week.

 

There's alot more to water quality than just nitrates


There's growth inhibiting hormones. Guppies come from south America which gets alot of rainfall. Fresh water is always a good thing. If you want to raise big healthy fish then water changes are necessary. Crowding guppies in a 20 or 30 gallon tank and not changing the water or culling will eventually lead to skinny stunted weak guppies. But what do I know ive only been in the hobby 15 years

Indeed there is a lot more than just nitrates. Some of mine are in a tank saltier than the ocean and have only gotten top offs with zero changes for over a year…

 

Indeed there is a lot more than just nitrates. Some of mine are in a tank saltier than the ocean and have only gotten top offs with zero changes for over a year…

If that's all you do your guppies will be weak small and stunted. Take some pictures of them and post it then since you are all so adamant about not doing water changes. I would really like too see these huge show winning guppies you all are raising. I guess 15 years in the hobby and being a member of the IFGA has taught me nothing .....

 

Yet they are quite fine.

If you’re trying to get the hardest core show guppies possible, changing a fry only take a couple days a week makes sense.

For the real world, it’s extreme overkill to the point that it could actually be dangerous to your fish.

 

If your tank is fairly crowded and your feeding alot to get good growth trust me, water changes are needed. Pro breeders change the water alot. It's not just me speculating, I have talked to many. Guppy keeping on a level to raise big healthy fish or show quality fish is a whole diffrebt ball game. Im not talking ust your neighbor kid down the street selling mutts for a dime a dozen. Maybe we have different expectations on what the "right way" is and I'll just leave it at that.

 

If your tank is fairly crowded and your feeding alot to get good growth trust me, water changes are needed. Pro breeders change the water alot. It's not just me speculating, I have talked to many. Guppy keeping on a level to raise big healthy fish or show quality fish is a whole diffrebt ball game. Im not talking ust your neighbor kid down the street selling mutts for a dime a dozen. Maybe we have different expectations on what the "right way" is and I'll just leave it at that.

You’re telling somebody that is NOT breeding the fish, to treat them like they are. Entirely different all the things.

Are you wrong? No, just in the wrong thread for the advice.

 

Yet they are quite fine.

If you’re trying to get the hardest core show guppies possible, changing a fry only take a couple days a week makes sense.

For the real world, it’s extreme overkill to the point that it could actually be dangerous to your fish.

Could you please explain how frequent water changes can hurt your fish? I'm curious, not arguing.

 

Could you please explain how frequent water changes can hurt your fish? I'm curious, not arguing.

It’s not the most stress free experience for them. Livebearers will often drop fry following water changes. Twice a week at almost half for your entire life is pretty rough.

Edit: like I said, a fry / grow out only tank it makes perfect sense from a production stand point. You grow them up faster in an environment with low hormones. Nobody is arguing that. Thing is, that’s not what the op is doing. They just want happy healthy fish that are maintaining a colony. A tank like that needs to be low stress.

 

Unless you have harder water you'll end up having to do more frequent water changes to avoid nutrient deficiencies (most obvious sign is usually curved spines in females) can just do top iffs if you have harder water and a decently planted tank *fast growers to help compensate for bioload

 

I guess 15 years in the hobby and being a member of the IFGA has taught me nothing .....

Nobody is arguing that you haven't learned after being a member of the IFGA for 15 years. The way you're writing overhere seems very defensive. This is a friendly forum. Of course, you can let members know how you're maintaining your guppies. Like I've already mentioned before: If it works, it works.
And if you're want to let somebody know that you think differently, you really should reply. But please, not in a way that it seems defensive. I assume we're all mature enough to reply in a normal way.

Yes, the majority overhere is not breeding guppies at a show level when it comes to quality. Most of them are also not keeping theirselves busy with specific guppy strains. But there are some besides yourself who do. I'm one of them And yes, I've been already keeping myself busy with guppies and other fish ever since the 1970's. I'm also leading the Dutch national guppy working group, for that mattter. But besides you and me, there are more members who do more than an average aquarist overhere.

Tbh, in my part of the world, I'm not an unknown name within the field of aquatics and the world of livebearers with a specific focus on guppies. I may differ from things you said, but that's okay. People within the serious scene, do respect me how I breed and how I keep guppies (same goes for my other livebearers). Guppies and other livebearers of mine have been shipped to other serious breeders worldwide. There's not just one right way of maintaining them. Let that be clear... I do respect the way you are keeping your guppies. Just like I respect others how they keep them. As long as it works, it works...

You're most welcome to reply on all kinds of topics on this forum. This is also one of the things this forum stands for. And don't worry, members can learn from you. Absolutely. But please be also open for other members who are no novice aquarists and who know what they are doing. And I'm not specifically focusing on myself but others on this forum.

I truly hope you're not offended by this. For it isn't meant like that.

 

Stan, i know you and i respect you. The IFGA thing is something that i have been reading into alot lately and its changed my views on guppies quite alot. You can see how big and nice their fish are. I use to keep substrate, do all these things, yes it works. Its just to me important to change the water alot because recently i have learned about the "hormone theory" from james alderson, the theory of stunting hormone released by bigger fish. Only way to get rid of the hormone is to do frequent water changes. My intentions were to get people to raise big healthy guppies, americans love big things!!!

Im sorry to come off so "know it all".... I was actually pretty offended when so many people chime in to "prove me wrong". I know information from the "guppy greats" of America, and Its not that fact that im closed minded, its just that so many are out to prove me wrong based on their experiences, when the IFGA guys are MASTER BREEDERS and they have shared their information with me, quite matter of factly, and make it seem like any other way is childs play.

No hard feelings from me....i hope nobody has any towards me either.