How Old Are Pet Store Guppies?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Basics. Guppies live

about 1 to 3 years in captivity

. When you bring them home from the pet store, it’s hard to know how old they actually are, since they are typically already full-grown or close to it.

How can you tell how old a guppy is?

At

around 6 months

, guppies reach their adult stage. Depending on their genetics, and conditions an adult female guppy can reach about 1.5-2 inches (4-6 cm). Their growth will stop or slow down significantly. The fins and tail of male guppies might grow longer over time, depending on their genes.

How many years can a guppy live?

Guppies can live as long as

four or five years

if they’re looked after properly. However, it’s more common for them to live between just one and two years.

Why do guppies have a short lifespan?


Stress

.

Stress

can shorten the life expectancy of guppies. It’s caused by sudden changes in water temperature, poor lighting conditions, improper feeding and overcrowding. To help your guppies live as long as possible, offer them a variety of nutritious foods and avoid sudden changes in tank conditions.

Is it OK to keep only male guppies?


You can keep only male guppies in a tank

. However, when you keep only male guppies in a tank, you will see a lot of aggression and bullying among them. To spread out the aggression, it is recommended to keep at least 6 male guppies in a male-only guppy tank. Keeping a male-only guppy tank is totally possible.

How often should guppies be fed?

Feed adult guppies

once or twice a day

. At least one meal should consist of live food. Unlike young fish, whose frequent meals support rapid development, adults function well with fewer meals.

Are guppies aggressive?

They’re known and marketed as peaceful, sociable fish that make a great addition to a community aquarium

How many guppies should be kept together?

Guppies should be kept in trios –

2 females to each male

. Yeah, this is so important we’re sayin’ it twice. Not only does this better the chances of reproduction, but female guppies are also less likely to become territorial than males- so you’re more likely to keep a peaceful aquarium.

What happens when guppies get old?

The fins and tail of male guppies might grow longer over time, depending on their genes. To keep your guppies healthy and colorful, you should still feed them a variety of food. … Guppies can live around 2-5 years. At around 1.5-2 years old adult

guppies become infertile

and they are not able to reproduce anymore.

What is the male to female ratio for guppies?

Guppy enthusiasts remain divided as to the ideal female: male ratio. The textbook answer is

two females to each male

, but vast anecdotal evidence on the interwebs suggests that it really all comes down to the temperaments of the individual guppies.

How do I keep my guppies happy?

  1. Feed a varied high-quality diet to your guppies. …
  2. Choose the right tank size for guppies. …
  3. Keep more than one guppy and maintain the Male-female ratio. …
  4. Maintain good water quality. …
  5. Make sure your aquarium water always has sufficient dissolved oxygen. …
  6. Create some hiding places in your guppy fish tank.

How many male guppies can I put in a 20 gallon tank?

Even though you probably expect one specific answer to the “how many guppies in a 20-gallon tank” question, it’s not that easy. You see, the number of guppies in an aquarium depends on various factors. Generally speaking, you can keep

10 to 12 guppies

in a 20-gallon fish tank.

How many guppies can you have in a 5 gallon tank?


Minimum two and a maximum of five guppies

can fit into a 5-gallon fish tank, but the latter is only recommended to experienced men and women. Now that you know how many guppies in a 5-gallon fish tank, you’re ready to start keeping these wonderful fish.

What is the best time to feed guppy?

Feed the guppies a pinch of flake food once or twice a day,

preferably in the morning and at night

, leaving a twelve-hour difference between the two. Drop a tiny pinch of flakes into the water and watch the guppies eat.

Do guppies need light at night?


Guppies need darkness to be able to rest

. Having the lights always on might eventually result in dead fish. Guppies need at least 6-8 hours of sleep a day. … Keeping the lights on for 8-10 hours is sufficient to keep your fish healthy, grow your aquarium plants and avoid algae growth.

What is the rarest guppy?

Guppies from the

snakeskin class

produce some of the most rare offspring. Fish who carry the snakeskin genetic trait, and show a rosette pattern on the body, are exceptional. A solid blue tail snakeskin would be an example of a rare fish, a matching dorsal and tail color, is rarer still.

Jasmine Sibley
Author
Jasmine Sibley
Jasmine is a DIY enthusiast with a passion for crafting and design. She has written several blog posts on crafting and has been featured in various DIY websites. Jasmine's expertise in sewing, knitting, and woodworking will help you create beautiful and unique projects.