Guppies' Parental Care: Nature's Unsung Heroes

Guppies are a species of small tropical freshwater fish that are extremely popular for home aquariums. They are also used for mosquito control, consuming mosquito larvae as soon as they hatch. Guppies are prolific breeders, and female guppies can give birth to up to 200 free-swimming juveniles in a matter of hours. However, they are not good parents and are infamous for eating their offspring. This is known as filial cannibalism and is a form of parental care that increases the chances of offspring survival and fitness. In addition, guppies do not exhibit great parenting skills like some other fish species, and their young are left to fend for themselves.

Guppies do not exhibit parental care

Guppies are a highly popular choice for home aquariums due to their attractive colours, docile nature, and ease of care. They are also prolific breeders, giving birth to up to 200 free-swimming juveniles in a matter of hours. However, they are not good parents and are infamous for eating their offspring. This is known as "filial cannibalism" and is a form of parental care that increases the chances of offspring survival and fitness.

To prevent filial cannibalism, it is recommended to separate the pregnant guppy from the others by placing it in a breeding tank. This increases the chances of the baby guppies' survival. The breeding tank should have appropriate water parameters, including a temperature range of 77 to 79°F, a pH of 6.8 to 7.8, and water hardness of 8-12dGH. Regular cleaning and partial water changes are necessary to maintain optimal water conditions.

Providing hiding spots for the baby guppies is another way to protect them from their parents. This can be done by planting live aquarium plants, adding decorations such as driftwood, caves, tubes, and rocks, or using floating plants like java moss, which also provide shelter and food for the newborns.

Guppies are fascinating creatures, but their lack of parental care is a notable aspect of their behaviour. By understanding their instincts and taking preventive measures, hobbyists can successfully breed and care for these colourful fish.

Filial cannibalism is common in guppies

Guppies are generally peaceful, social fish. However, they have been linked to cannibalistic behaviours in their natural aquatic environment. This includes filial cannibalism, where adult guppies eat their young. Cannibalism is more common in their natural habitats than in a controlled environment like an aquarium.

Guppies will eat their young if they are desperate for food. They may also confuse their offspring for food due to their tiny size. In the wild, full-grown guppies prefer to feed on small, protein-rich food sources like brine shrimp, micro worms, and water fleas. If these are not available, they may resort to eating their young.

Another reason for filial cannibalism in guppies is to weed out genetically weak offspring to bolster the survivability of the species. The targeted fry often lack important survival characteristics and are too weak to swim, thrive, and defend themselves. Filial cannibalism may also be a way to control the population of guppies.

To prevent filial cannibalism, guppy fry should be kept in a separate tank from their parents or other adult guppies. Guppy owners should also ensure that their guppies are adequately fed and that their tank has plenty of hiding spots, such as live plants, for the fry to hide in.

Guppies are prolific breeders

Guppies are highly reproductive and will readily spawn in any given environment. They are sexually dimorphic, meaning there are distinct differences between males and females. Males are brightly coloured and have a modified anal fin called a gonopodium, which is used to impregnate females. Females are usually larger and less colourful, with a fan-shaped anal fin.

Guppies are also known as "million fish", specifically because of their capability to reproduce repeatedly, resulting in what seems like a million little fish. They are selectively bred for their unique array of colour combinations and finnage displays. The excitement of breeding these interesting little live bearers is to see what kinds of combinations will be produced.

Guppies are native to certain countries and islands in South America, such as Brazil, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago, and can be found in freshwater streams, estuaries, and lagoons. They are highly adaptable and can withstand a wide range of water environments, which is why they have been introduced to several other parts of the world to control mosquito and insect populations.

Guppies are livebearers

Guppies grow to an average of 2 inches long, so a 5-gallon aquarium is recommended for a trio of guppies. However, given how quickly they reproduce, a 10- or 20-gallon aquarium would be more appropriate in the long run. If you plan on breeding them, it is recommended to start with a ratio of one male for every two to three females, and provide lots of cover for the babies, or "fry", to hide in. Guppies are prolific spawners, and a female can give birth to anywhere between 20 to 200 Guppy fry per spawn, depending on her age and size.

Guppies enjoy pH levels of 7.0 or greater and water temperatures from 72 to 82°F. They also like hard water with good amounts of calcium, magnesium, and other essential minerals. Guppies are resilient and highly adaptable, making them a great choice for beginners learning the ins and outs of fish-keeping. However, they are susceptible to common fish diseases such as Ich and fin rot, so it is important to monitor tank conditions regularly and perform partial water changes to avoid spikes in ammonia and significant chemistry changes that could harm the fish.

Guppies are not picky eaters and will graze on algae growing inside the aquarium. They should be fed a varied diet of flakes, pellets, freeze-dried, and frozen foods formulated for freshwater fish, with high-protein snacks like bloodworms and brine shrimp offered occasionally. Guppies are pros at begging for food, so owners should be careful not to overfeed them, which can lead to constipation and other health issues.

Guppies are highly adaptable

Guppies can adapt to water temperatures ranging from 64.4 to 82.4°F (18 to 28°C) and salinity levels of up to 150% seawater. They prefer slightly alkaline water conditions, with a pH of 7.0 to 8.0. This adaptability has allowed them to spread to countries on every continent except Antarctica, although their introduction has often been intentional for mosquito control.

Guppies are also highly adaptable in terms of diet. In the wild, they primarily feed on algae, invertebrates, insects, and debris from the water. In captivity, they will eat almost anything offered to them, including fresh or frozen brine shrimp, live insects small enough to fit in their mouths, and prepared flake foods. Their ability to thrive on a variety of food sources further contributes to their adaptability.

The small size of guppies, typically reaching only about 2 inches in length, makes them well-suited for a range of tank sizes. While a 5-gallon tank is the minimum recommended size, they can comfortably live in larger aquariums as well. Guppies are highly active swimmers and benefit from having ample space to explore their environment.

In addition to their physical adaptability, guppies are also known for their reproductive adaptability. They are livebearers, giving birth to free-swimming young instead of laying eggs. Female guppies can store sperm and give birth multiple times without mating again, resulting in frequent reproduction. This adaptability has led to their reputation as highly reproductive fish.

Overall, the resilience and versatility of guppies in various environments, diets, and reproductive strategies make them highly adaptable fish. Their ability to thrive in a wide range of conditions has contributed to their popularity in home aquariums and their presence around the world.

Frequently asked questions