Big Fish Friends: Guppies And Giants

Guppies are a favourite fish for many fish tank owners, thanks to their bright colours, peaceful nature and hardy temperament. But which big fish can live with guppies?

Guppies are small, typically measuring 1.5 to 2.5 inches as adults, so they need to be paired with similar-sized fish to avoid conflict and ensure harmonious coexistence. Guppies are also non-aggressive, so they need to be paired with other non-aggressive species.

Some good big fish tank mates for guppies include:

- Swordtail fish

- Platies

- Mollies

- Cory catfish

- Dwarf gourami

- Harlequin rasboras

- Bristlenose plecos

- Otocinclus catfish

- Kuhli loach

- Neon tetras

- Zebra danios

Cory Catfish

Some popular varieties of Cory Catfish include the Bronze Cory, Panda Cory, and Pygmy Cory. The Pygmy Cory is one of the smallest species and is unique in that it swims in the middle of the tank, rather than just the bottom.

When adding Cory Catfish to a tank with guppies, it is important to ensure that the water parameters and dietary needs of both species are compatible. Additionally, providing hiding spots and live plants in the tank can create a comfortable environment for Cory Catfish.

Dwarf Loaches

When adding dwarf loaches to your tank, it is important to get at least three, as they like to swim in shoals. They are also a bit boisterous, so they are best avoided if you have shy or delicate fish in your tank. Overall, dwarf loaches are a great addition to a community tank and will provide plenty of entertainment with their curious and active nature.

Swordtails

Secondly, swordtails and guppies have different dietary preferences. Swordtails prefer live food such as shrimps or worms, while guppies mostly eat vegetable leaves. This can make it challenging to keep them together, as you will need to ensure both fish are getting the nutrition they need. One option is to provide swordtails with live food and guppies with a vegetable-based diet in separate tanks, or you can try offering both types of food in the same tank and ensure they have enough space to eat without competing.

Thirdly, swordtails are larger than guppies and require more space to swim. Swordtails need relatively deep tanks with hiding places, open spaces, and ample free space at the water's surface for oxygen supply. Guppies, on the other hand, can live happily in a smaller tank without any special requirements. To accommodate both species, a large tank with plenty of plants and decorations is necessary. This will provide hiding spots for both swordtails and guppies, especially if they feel stressed or uneasy.

Finally, swordtails and guppies have similar temperature requirements as they are both tropical fish. Swordtails thrive in temperatures between 65-82°F, while guppies prefer temperatures between 72-82°F. Therefore, a temperature between 72-82°F is ideal for both species. It is important to maintain a stable temperature and avoid sudden changes, as both swordtails and guppies can survive outside their comfort zone but do not cope well with rapid parameter changes.

In conclusion, swordtails and guppies can live together peacefully if their tank is set up correctly, taking into account their respective dietary needs, space requirements, and temperature preferences.

Neon Tetras

When choosing tank mates for neon tetras, it is important to select non-aggressive species that require similar water conditions. Good options include small tetras, rasboras, dwarf gouramis, and small catfish such as corydoras. It is important to avoid larger tetras, as they may eat the neon tetras. Guppies are also a suitable tank mate for neon tetras, as they are small, peaceful, and require similar water conditions.

In terms of temperament, neon tetras are known to be peaceful and non-aggressive. This makes them a good choice for community aquariums, as they are unlikely to bully or be bullied by other fish. However, it is important to ensure that they are kept in a group, as they can become stressed when kept alone or in pairs.

Overall, neon tetras are a beautiful and popular choice for fish enthusiasts, and they can thrive in a community aquarium as long as their specific water requirements are met and they are kept with compatible species.

Bristlenose Plecos

Guppies are very active and spend most of their time swimming around, but they can live together with Bristlenose Plecos without conflict. Guppies require a temperature of 75-82 degrees F, a pH of 6.8-7.8, and slightly harder water, while Bristlenose Plecos require temperatures of 73-80 degrees F, a pH of 6.5-7.5, and water hardness of less than 200 ppm. Both species can survive in the same water conditions, but it is important to ensure that the tank is large enough to accommodate both types of fish.

In addition to guppies, Bristlenose Plecos can also live with other fish commonly found in community tanks, such as Mollies, Platies, Swordtails, Cory Catfish, Gouramis, Betta Fish, Neon Tetras, Rosy Tetras, and Rummy Nose Tetras. They can also live with semi-aggressive tank mates, such as South American cichlids, but this may require extra attention to the tank's dynamics. Aside from fish, Bristlenose Plecos can also live with other water-dwelling creatures, such as bamboo shrimp, mystery snails, and nerite snails.

Frequently asked questions