Hadwin Blanton
Guppies are usually peaceful fish, but they sometimes exhibit chasing behaviour that can be worrying for owners. There are several reasons why guppies may chase each other, including mating, establishing dominance, food competition, territorial instincts, playfulness, and stress due to an overcrowded tank, irregular food supply, or poor water conditions. Guppies may also chase other fish species in the same tank due to aggression, seeing them as a threat, or as a potential food source.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for chasing | Mating, establishing dominance, food, territorial instinct, playfulness, overcrowding, and unfavorable tank conditions |
| Water temperature | 72-82 °F |
| Water pH level | 6.8-7.8 |
| Water changes | 30% every week or 20% every 10 days |
| Water parameters | Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, oxygen |
| Male to female ratio | 1:2 or 1:3 |
| Tank size | One gallon of water for every two inches of fish |
What You'll Learn
Guppies are territorial
Guppies are generally peaceful, social fish. However, they can become territorial and aggressive in certain conditions. One of the main reasons guppies become aggressive is due to territorial behaviour, particularly when their space is overcrowded or too small. Guppies are shoaling fish, meaning they need to be kept in groups of at least six, and they require ample space to move around and hide. If their space is too confined or crowded, guppies will become stressed and territorial as they compete for space.
Guppies can also become territorial due to mating behaviour. Male guppies will chase female guppies constantly in an attempt to mate, which can become stressful for females, especially if there are more males than females. Even in all-male aquariums, male guppies will chase each other, competing for mating privileges and trying to establish dominance. This behaviour can be mitigated by ensuring there are more female guppies than males, providing hiding spaces, and ensuring the tank is not overcrowded.
In addition to space and mating, other factors can contribute to territorial behaviour in guppies. For example, a lack of food can lead to competition and aggression as guppies fight for limited resources. Guppies may also become territorial if they are sick or diseased, as they try to defend themselves from other fish. Introducing new guppies to an established tank can also trigger territorial behaviour as the new fish are seen as intruders.
To reduce territorial behaviour in guppies, it is important to provide a spacious tank with plenty of hiding places and ensure there is a higher ratio of female to male guppies. Regular feeding and maintaining optimal water conditions are also crucial in preventing aggression.
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Guppies are establishing dominance
Guppies are typically peaceful and social fish. However, they are also known to exhibit aggressive behaviour when establishing dominance within their territory. This is more likely to occur when there are fewer males, as there is less competition for the top position.
When a group of guppies come together, they will naturally try to establish a pecking order, which is a common occurrence among many social species. This involves aggressive chasing, damaged or frayed fins and tails, and hiding for long periods. Guppies will also fight over females, as males will persistently battle and harass each other to obtain the female's attention.
To reduce tension and prevent fighting among male guppies, it is recommended to have a ratio of one male to two or three females. This ensures that males have options and are not constantly chasing a single female. It is also important to provide a larger tank to prevent overcrowding and give guppies enough space to establish their territories.
Additionally, adding more males to the group can help spread aggression and reduce the number of major targets. Providing hiding places, such as floating plants, logs, and caves, can also help give weaker guppies a place to retreat and escape confrontation.
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Guppies are mating
Guppies are known to have an elaborate mating ritual. Male guppies will bend their spines to the side and start flaring, dancing, jiggling, and chasing the female guppies for several hours. They will flex their bodies and vibrate rapidly to indicate their physical strength and flexibility to the female. This incessant courting will continue for a long time, and mating will only happen at the end of it.
Female guppies can reproduce at two to three months of age. They are polyandrous, which means that a female will mate with multiple male guppies. Male guppies can mate multiple times a day with several females.
After the mating ritual, the male guppy will turn to the side, point its gonopodium forward, and tap the female for 1-2 seconds. This time is enough to pass the sperm and fertilize the female. The gonopodium is a channel-like structure behind the male guppy's ventral fin, which is used to transfer sperm to the female's urogenital pore.
A single encounter is enough for a female guppy to obtain enough sperm for several batches of offspring. Female guppies can store sperm for months and can give birth once a month. Each fertile female guppy will usually drop 20 to 60 fry every 25 to 35 days.
Guppies are known to be bad parents, and they will eat their fry if given the chance. If you want the fry to survive, it is recommended to separate them from the adults soon after birth.
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Guppies are stressed due to overcrowding
Guppies are social fish that thrive in groups, but they require ample space to swim and explore. Overcrowding can lead to stress and aggressive behaviour in guppies, as they become territorial and lonely. This can cause them to chase other fish constantly.
Guppies need at least one gallon of water per fish to prevent stress from overcrowding. In smaller groups, especially twos and threes, one male guppy may become the 'boss' of the aquarium and spend a lot of time harassing the other males. This behaviour can be reduced by adding more males to the tank, providing hiding spots, and ensuring there are enough females to go around. It is recommended to follow the 1 male to 3 female ratio, as males are constantly chasing females to breed and can die from exhaustion.
Overcrowding can also cause the tank to get dirty quickly, increase the risk of conflicts between guppies, and lead to a lack of oxygen in the water. Guppies require oxygen-rich water to live comfortably, and if they don't get enough, they will become stressed.
To reduce overcrowding, it is important to provide guppies with enough space to swim and explore. This can be achieved by following the one-inch-per-gallon rule or providing at least one gallon of water per guppy. Additionally, regular water changes, ranging from 20% to 30% every week, can help maintain water quality and reduce the risk of overcrowding.
In conclusion, guppies are social fish that require ample space to swim and interact with each other. Overcrowding can lead to stress, aggression, and a lack of oxygen, causing guppies to chase other fish. To reduce overcrowding, provide enough space, perform regular water changes, and ensure a compatible mix of males and females in the tank.
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Guppies are competing for food
Guppies are known to be competitive when it comes to food. In the wild, they forage in groups and compete for food. This competition for food can lead to aggressive behaviour, with dominant fish defending food patches to prevent others from consuming the resource.
In a study, guppies were observed to be very accurate in estimating item size, being able to discriminate between two food items that differed by a ratio of 0.75 in surface area. The attraction to the larger food item was so strong that guppies preferred the set containing the largest item even when the other set contained a double quantity of food.
Guppies also seem to be more aggressive when competing for food in smaller groups. In a group of two or three, one male guppy may become the "boss" and spend a lot of time harassing the other males. This dynamic may be influenced by the availability of females, the size of the tank, and the presence of bigger, potentially threatening tankmates.
In addition, the quality of food provided to guppies can impact their behaviour. In the wild, guppies feed on nutrient-poor algae, which requires them to graze for hours to meet their calorie requirements. In contrast, captive guppies are typically fed high-quality food, which means they have more time available to spend on other activities, such as fighting and breeding.
To reduce aggression in guppies due to competition for food, it is recommended to provide hiding places at the top of the tank, such as floating plants, and to ensure there are enough females in the tank to keep the males occupied.
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Frequently asked questions
Guppies are peaceful fish, but they do have a territorial instinct, especially the males, and will chase other fish to establish their territory. They may also chase to play, to compete for food, or to mate.
To reduce chasing behaviour, you can try adding more hiding spots to your tank, such as plants, for your fish to retreat to. You can also try rearranging the decorations in your tank to break up any established territories.
Overcrowding, irregular feeding, and poor water quality and temperature can lead to guppies chasing other fish.
Guppies tend to argue until they find their pecking order, so this behaviour should settle down in a few days. In the meantime, watch out for any smaller fish in the tank, as guppies may see them as a threat or potential food source.
