Guppies' Short Lifespan Mystery

Guppies are a popular choice for aquariums due to their vibrant colours, easy-going nature, and low maintenance. However, they have a relatively short lifespan of two to three years, and it is not uncommon for them to die within 10 days. There are several reasons why guppies may be dying prematurely, including poor water quality, inappropriate cycling, high levels of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, an unbalanced male-to-female ratio, aggressive tank mates, low oxygen levels, incorrect temperature, and underlying diseases.

Poor water quality

The lack of oxygen in the water can also cause guppies to die. Putting too cold or too warm water in your aquarium will cause death. Tap water contains chlorine, which is deadly to guppy fish. Although using tap water for your fish tank is fine, it needs to be treated before adding it to your aquarium.

Before adding fish to your aquarium, you have to cycle it first. The cycling process will take 1-2 weeks, depending on the size of your tank:

• Set up your tank and put in tank water
• Add a de-chlorinator
• Add nitrifying bacteria
• Wait about 1-2 weeks for the beneficial bacteria to colonize the entire tank
• At this point, you can perform a water test to check for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels
• At this point, you can add fish. One day after adding the fish, perform another test to see if the bacteria can keep up with the nitrogen cycle. Keep monitoring the tank for at least one week.

Ammonia levels in the fish tank should always be at 0 ppm. That said, there should be no ammonia present in your aquarium. The nitrifying bacteria should turn ammonia right away into nitrites and then into nitrates. This is the nitrogen cycle.

Ammonia can be caused by multiple factors:

• Uneaten fish food will decompose and turn into ammonia
• Dead fish that are not removed from the tank will decay and increase ammonia levels
• A dirty filter can also be a huge source of ammonia
• Dirty substrate can also cause ammonia problems

High ammonia levels usually result in instant fish death. If the fish do not die instantly, and you are able to fix the ammonia problem, they will still get ammonia burns. Ammonia burns will also result in death, but at a much slower rate.

Overfeeding is very dangerous. You should feed your adult guppy fish once a day or once every other day. Feeding too much food to your fish can cause health issues, just like with humans.

Feeding too much can result in uneaten food. As stated above, uneaten food will pollute your aquarium and can be a huge source of ammonia.

Do not feed your guppies more than they can eat in 30 seconds. Repeat the process a few times until you think they have had enough food.

Raising ammonia levels

Ammonia is a waste product excreted from fish, and is also produced by the decay of organic materials, such as dead animals and plants. Ammonia is highly toxic to fish, and can cause instant death. Ammonia levels in the fish tank should always be at 0 ppm.

Ammonia levels can be raised by multiple factors:

• Uneaten food will decompose and turn into ammonia
• Dead fish that are not removed from the tank will decay and increase ammonia levels
• Dirty filters can be a source of ammonia
• Dirty substrate can cause ammonia problems

High ammonia levels usually result in instant fish death. If the fish do not die instantly, and the ammonia problem is fixed, they will still get ammonia burns, which will also result in death, but at a much slower rate.

To prevent ammonia from building up, it is important to not overfeed fish. Adult guppies should be fed once a day or once every other day.

Regular water changes are also key to keeping ammonia levels low. It is recommended to change 20-30% of the water once a week.

It is also important to regularly clean the tank. Depending on the size of the filter, it should be cleaned once or twice a month. If you have a sponge filter, rinse it in aquarium water, not tap water, so you do not kill off beneficial bacteria.

Overcrowding

To ensure a healthy environment for your guppies, it is important to provide enough space for them to swim and explore. A general rule of thumb is to provide at least one gallon of water per inch of fish. For example, if you have seven guppies, a 20-gallon tank would be ideal. If you are just starting out with guppies, a 10-gallon tank is a good option, as it provides enough space for 3-5 guppies and is suitable for most aquarium equipment.

In addition to the size of the tank, the number of guppies is also a factor in overcrowding. Guppies reproduce quickly, and a single female guppy can give birth to 20-120 guppies in a month. Therefore, it is important to control the population by either moving some fish to a separate tank or introducing only male guppies.

To summarize, overcrowding can have detrimental effects on the health and lifespan of guppies. By providing enough space, controlling the population, and maintaining good water quality through regular water changes, you can create a healthy and comfortable environment for your guppies to thrive.

Poor genetics

Guppies are often the first choice for aquarium enthusiasts due to their vibrant colors, easy-going nature, and relatively low maintenance. However, they are prone to dying early due to poor genetics.

Guppies sold in big pet stores are usually of the lowest quality. Although they are colorful, they might have bad genetics, which can lead to early death. Guppies with poor genetics may have a weaker immune system and be more susceptible to diseases and health issues like swim bladder disease, ich, velvet, fin rot, and flukes.

Additionally, guppies bred for specific physical traits, such as a particular color or pattern, may have weaker genetics and be more vulnerable to environmental changes, such as temperature or water quality fluctuations, making them prone to anxiety, illness, and a shorter lifespan.

To avoid guppies with poor genetics, it is recommended to buy from trusted sources, such as reputable breeders who ensure the guppies are healthy, genetically diverse, and free from common diseases. Guppies from breeders can live up to 2-3 years and produce very healthy and beautiful offspring.

• Provide a stress-free environment with optimal water conditions, including proper temperature, pH levels, and water quality.
• Feed a nutritious and well-balanced diet, avoiding overfeeding to prevent health issues like obesity and constipation.
• Maintain a suitable tank environment with adequate space, hiding places, and compatible tank mates to reduce stress and aggression.
• Regularly monitor your guppies' behavior and appearance to detect any signs of illness or abnormality.
• Quarantine sick guppies and seek veterinary advice for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Diseases and parasites

Guppies are susceptible to a range of diseases and parasites, which can be caused by bad genetics and poor water quality. Some common guppy diseases include ich (white spots on the body), velvet (gold dust on the body), fin rot, and flukes. These common guppy diseases can be treated with medication such as Seachem ParaGuard.

Unfortunately, some diseases, such as guppy fish tuberculosis caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium, have no cure. Guppies affected by this disease should be removed from the tank and destroyed to prevent spreading to other guppies.

Guppies with poor genetics may have weaker immune systems, making them more prone to illness. For example, a guppy with stronger genetics may be less inclined to illness and have a better immune system. However, certain genetic traits can make guppies more vulnerable to specific diseases like ich and fin rot.

In addition to genetics, water quality plays a crucial role in guppy health. High levels of ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate can harm guppies and lead to illness or death. Regular water changes and routine tank maintenance are essential to maintaining optimal water quality and preventing the spread of disease.

To prevent and combat diseases, it is important to start treatment as soon as possible. If necessary, isolate sick guppies in a quarantine tank and consult a veterinarian specializing in fish health for advice on proper care and treatment.

Frequently asked questions