How hard is it to keep guppies alive when you have zero experience with keeping

1. 68

   visionandfocusposted 11 years ago

   How hard is it to keep guppies alive when you have zero experience with keeping fish?
   
   Want them so bad, but not if they're going to die within weeks.
   
   

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2. 93

   KDeusposted 11 years ago

   The best thing you can do before you get guppies or any fish is to set up your tank and start cycling it. If you're not familiar with what cycling is, it's the process of building up good bacteria in the filter  - one type that will help process the ammonia generated by the fish and the other type that processes the nitrites that are generated by the bacteria that processes the ammonia.
   
   Often times, those who are new to keeping a tank aren't aware of this process and the ammonia levels build up to such high levels that often times the fish die within the first few weeks of being in a tank. While you can cycle the tank with fish in it, it is not recommended because it's putting the fish through some high doses of ammonia and nitrites. It's best to do a fish-less cycle in which you set it up and cycle the tank before adding any fish.
   
   For my 5-gallon tank, it took about 3 weeks to cycle it fully. There are many articles, some here on hubages and elsewhere on the Internet that will fully explain the cycling process. You will need a liquid test kit for freshwater tanks for guppies - don't get the test strips, the liquid tests are more reliable and will help ensure a better life for the fish.

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   1. 68

      visionandfocusposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Awesome answer! I understand that this is not a light undertaking. I must read more before committing myself. Thanks for all the info. Appreciate it!

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3. 70

   agusfananiposted 11 years ago

   Hi visionandfocus,
   I had some experience with Guppies and I found they were  tough and easy kind to keep as long as some conditions are fulfilled :
   * Water aeration must work well.
   *Don't give excessive food. The food given in feeding time must be eaten up completely in less than 15 minutes to avoid methane formation.
   *Don't mix it with more superior fish like Flower Horn  which  harms guppy's life.
   *Guppies can live with real water plants, so giving water plants in the tank is a good idea.
   *Guppies can easily breed, thus hiding places like small rocks which are arranged to be made like small caves are needed to keep their newly born offspring safe.
   *when a female guppy is pregnant, you'd better separate it from male guppy, to avoid cannibalism when the offspring is born.
   *Don't give too strong water pump in the tank and put a sieve onto the pump inlet to avoid guppy and baby guppy to be sucked in water flows.
   
   I hope this answer help you  keep guppies in the tank.

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   1. 68

      visionandfocusposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Wow, all great info that would really help when I do get them. Thanks so much, agusfanani!

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4. 50

   df-asposted 11 years ago

   guppies are the easiest to care for.  just don't over feed them, that's the mistake a lot of people make with fish in general.

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