How many guppies in 64 litre (roughly 17 gallon)?

[ScarlettTodd]

I have a planted tank, I would like to add purely male guppies to it and was wondering what would be the best amount of them for a tank that is just shy of 17 US gallons?
Its relatively heavily planted.
I know guppies don't like to be alone but there is debate on other threads about them being a schooling fish?
I would appreciate some insight on both questions as I don't want to over or undercrowd them. Thanks

 

[david1978]

I wouldn't call them schooling or even a shoaling fish. I would consider them a social fish. 5-7 would be conservative but its were I would start.

 

[kallililly1973]

I would start with 3 and see how they do

 

[mimo91088]

I would start with 3 and see how they do

I'd start here too. With all males, I'd be more concerned with fighting than with bioload, especially in a planted tank. If the 3 don't fight, you could then add a couple more and see how they do.

 

[aussieJJDude]

The more you have, the more aggression is spread out and not being singled onto one fish. I'd honestly start out with 5-0?6 tbh, and go from there.

In saying, I've never ran into issues with male guppies fighting. The only thing my dopey males have done is try to inseminate eachother, and that's about it. I've rarely seen peoplw report male guppy tank problems, and usually find its people just mention it in passing/parroting eachother.

 

[ScarlettTodd]

Thank you all for the responses! How many would you say is the maximum for a 17 gallon? Especially given there will be plants taking up some room

 

[mimo91088]

The more you have, the more aggression is spread out and not being singled onto one fish. I'd honestly start out with 5-0?6 tbh, and go from there.

In saying, I've never ran into issues with male guppies fighting. The only thing my dopey males have done is try to inseminate eachother, and that's about it. I've rarely seen peoplw report male guppy tank problems, and usually find its people just mention it in passing/parroting eachother.

My mom's husband has a tank with all males and I watch them fight every time I'm over there. They don't cause serious injuries but plenty of torn fins.

 

[david1978]

Funny thing with plants. The more plants the more fish you can have. More hiding places. Take up some of the bio load. In all I wouldnt go over 10. Now this is if its a long tank vs a deep tank.

 

[tnrsmomma]

Thank you all for the responses! How many would you say is the maximum for a 17 gallon? Especially given there will be plants taking up some room

How long has the tank been set up? If your bio filter is well established and you keep an eye on your parameters, I'd think 8 seems like a good number. 10 max maybe? You could do a small clean up crew like 2-4 nerites, 10 shrimp and a bristlenose pleco. Depends on filtration and how often you want to deal with water changes.

ETA: NOT a bristle nose. That was a brain fart. They are too big for a 17.

 

[jake37]

I never had a problem with aggressive guppies - not saying it doesn't happen but whether I have one or eight they seem to all get along. You could probably get away with 5 to 7. In my current 29 I have 1 female 6 males and 100000000 frys. A few for the frys are pretty decent looking. I should put an angel in there - it is already over populated what is one more fish and with luck 100000000 less fish.

I would NOT put a bn pleco in a 17 gallon tank. They are big and messy. nerite snail; otto; maybe an sae (but they can get pretty long); clown pleco; but definitely not a bn pleco.

How long has the tank been set up? If your bio filter is well established and you keep an eye on your parameters, I'd think 8 seems like a good number. 10 max maybe? You could do a small clean up crew like 2-4 nerites, 10 shrimp and a bristlenose pleco. Depends on filtration and how often you want to deal with water changes.

 

[tnrsmomma]

I would NOT put a bn pleco in a 17 gallon tank. They are big and messy. nerite snail; otto; maybe an sae (but they can get pretty long); clown pleco; but definitely not a bn pleco.

Eek, you're right. I've got my head stuck in planning my 29. BN would def be too big for a 17. Heck, I've gotten mixed answers on whether the 29 is big enough. I will edit my comment and fix that. Thank you!

 

[david1978]

I keep dreaming about one of these guys. Would probably get lost in my tank.

L471 White Spotted Dwarf Hypancistrus Pleco - TANK-RAISED!!!

 

[jake37]

There are a lot of nice pleco (both small and large) - pity not many are found in lfs.

I keep dreaming about one of these guys. Would probably get lost in my tank.

L471 White Spotted Dwarf Hypancistrus Pleco - TANK-RAISED!!!

 

[ScarlettTodd]

I'm in the process of cycling that tank (its new) and a quarantine one as I use the plants for other tanks. I'm just researching first in readiness.
It's not a long tank, its relatively deep, would that change the amount of guppies I can keep?
Thank you everyone for being honest about your experiences with guppies, good and bad!

 

[mimo91088]

I keep dreaming about one of these guys. Would probably get lost in my tank.

L471 White Spotted Dwarf Hypancistrus Pleco - TANK-RAISED!!!

Dude I had no idea there are plecos that small. I'd love one of those