Colorful Guppies

[Ethos]

Hey you guys, After I tore down my 5G a few weeks ago, I already have secret plans to re-set it up...

I've never kept a livebearer before, and I've kinda wanted to. So nows my chance.
I'm planning on getting 3 guppies. A red, blue, and yellow tailed ones.

Any comments?
I saw them at petco (Their not dyed) and they were gourgous!

Edit: The guppies are all male. There is no way am going to even dare get fry.

 

[WILDER]

To be honest that tank size isn't ideal for livebearers as they are very active fish, i would only get males as that tank is far to small for fry.

 

[Annastasia]

Just a warning...the more colorful they are, the more inbred they are. Which means they are weaker, and less immune to disease. Also, they can sometimes have trouble swimming because they are so inbred, their tails are just too big for their bodies. The tank can't have much current. And you need to keep up with water changes, and keep checking the water params if you want Fancy Guppies. Even then, don't expect them to live too long.

Definitely do a fishless cycle though. They can't survive the cycling process. And it's usually better to let the tank mature a little bit after it's done cycling.

Also, that size tank is kinda small. It's best to have at least 5 males if you are doing an all male group, to spread out the aggression. I'm also going to warn you, if you have all males, those tails aren't going to stay pretty for long. They will get nipped up. That's just the way it is with males.

If you go for it, best of luck! But look for healthy ones, with not too big of tails, that look like they can swim easily. You also may have trouble with one being very aggressive, and may have to take it back or put it in another tank. Male Guppies are kinda like Bettas...they all have different attitudes, and some are tolerant of other males, some aren't.

Good luck with them, hope it works out.

 

[bakerboi]

Just a warning...the more colorful they are, the more inbred they are. Which means they are weaker, and less immune to disease. Also, they can sometimes have trouble swimming because they are so inbred, their tails are just too big for their bodies.



yeah what she said!...No she is completely right so much inbreeding messes them up



bakerboi

 

[Ethos]

Good luck with them, hope it works out.

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Thanks.
the tank is not brand new as I said before, and I'm useing the same gravel as before. I might actully take some from a different tank. I heard that if you take gravel right out of another tank, and put it in the "new" tank, its cycled instantly.

I have a 10G thats runnuing completely empty, so i figure I'll just use gravel from there. I like that gravel better anyways, its more natural looking.
Is there another livebearer that'd be suited to me better?

 

[Annastasia]

Gravel won't cycle it instantly. Most of your beneficial bacteria is in your filter, just a little is elsewhere. So you still need to cycle, or seed it from another tank. Even if it's been set-up before, it still needs to be re-cycled because beneficial bacteria can die in as little as 30 minutes from not being wet. I'm betting your tank hasn't been set-up for at least a week, correct?

And anyway, if your 10 gallon is running completely empty...it's not cycled either, unless you are adding ammonia in?

Platies would be well suited for you, except that you may have trouble with all males. And that tank is tiny for them. Endlers would be good, and you can have all males easily. They'll also fit in that tank better. They are a little sensitive though, but basically the same as Guppies otherwise.

Why don't you just use the 10 gallon for Livebearers instead of the 5? Then you can safely get 5 male Guppies in there.

 

[Ethos]

Because the last place available in my room is too small for the 10G. My parents want me to move both my 10Gs to who knows where. I'll guess they'll just sit empty untill I get around to sell em' or set them up again.

Its not that much fun when you have to shut down tanks - You get to thinking about how much money you spent on them, thje time, energy - the list goes on and on. Especially because I dont have a job, I work off my phone bill by mowing the lawn for my parents. I guess I'd rather mow the lawn instead of having no cell phone.

Ug...I have 3 tanks now that I prolly spent atleast $300 dollars on total, maybe even more, that are down.
Oh, wait. One of my 10Gs still has 11 white clouds in it...hmhm....

Anyways, I'm going to push for the three guppys.
I'll let you guys know how it turns out.

Do guppys like swimming in ad out of decorations? Or do they prefer plants?
I could do a mini planted tank. That'd be kind of cool..

 

[dwarfgourami]

While agreeing with previous posters that 5 gals is really too small for guppies- surprisingly active little creatures!- I'd say if you do go for them try to provide an interesting tank. Plants are great or ornaments they can't get their tails caught on (many modern males are not terribly strong). I have a slate bridge in my tank and they keep diving under it.
Are you sure you can't get endlers though? Lovely little things.

 

[Annastasia]

I'd still do a fishless cycle on it, just to be safe. Or, better yet, stick the filter for the 5 gallon in one of your established tanks for a week or so. Then you'll get some nice beneficial bacteria.

You can try for the three Guppies. However, make sure you get healthy ones, and don't get ones with big tails. If the tails are less tempting, there will be less aggression. And they can swim better. Watch them in the tank, too, and see how they swim, and if they seem kinda nippy. Make sure you plant the tank, and decorate it well too. The more places they can go to get away from each other, the better. And as I mentioned before, keep the filter low. That will mean more water changes, and frequent checking of the params..but that's what Fancy Guppies need.

Good luck, let us know how it goes!

 

[Ethos]

I will.
As for adding the fiklter to another tank, Could I add it to my 55G with cichlids? Or is all cycled water the same, even thought the fish are way different.
And My PH ibn the 55G is 8. Will that affect the bactirea in any way?

 

[Annastasia]

Do you alter the p.H to make it higher, or does it come out of the tap that way?

Either way, all cycled tanks are basically the same. They all go through the nitrogen process, and get the same beneficial bacteria. Just if you add stuff to the tank, I'm not sure you'd want that in the Guppy tank.

 

[Ethos]

Yes, It does come out of the tap that way. Although, for my Gourami tank I kept my PH around 5, and I dont know how.
Of course, I haven't checked my OPH in that tank for prolly 4or 5 months....
Somethings wrong here

 

[Annastasia]

Well, if it comes out of the tap that way, how will it make a difference if you fishless cycle or use water from another tank? Same water, same p.H.

However, when you are introducing the Guppies into the new tank, acclimate them slowly. Like over an hour, or more. Maybe even the drip method. They can't handle big changes.

What are your nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia in the 55?

 

[Ethos]

I wish I could tell you.

Should I just buy that water from the store that come in the gallon jugs (Blanking on the name)? Kick start the filter and use that water? Let it cycle on its own by using the filter with the bactieria?

 

[Annastasia]

You wish you could tell me the nitrites, Nitrates and ammonia? You mean you don't know? You'll definitely need to check those with the Guppies. Frequently.

I'm not sure what water you mean, since I don't think my LFS has that, but why not use your own tap water? You'll be using that to do water changes anyway, unless you plan on using the bottled water. However, what kind of water is this you're talking about?

I think you should just run the filter in the 55 for a few weeks. That's the easiest way, and probably the safest.

I guess you need to get an ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate test kit first though, before you set-up the 5 gallon.