Guppys Or Not

[kpintheshed]

sorry,posted in tropical chat but not much of a reply so i'll try this specific forum

i have 18 uk gal with 4 neons and 3 copper rasboras and 1 white cloud mountain minnow which is going to a friend. 8 plants, bogwood and orndament. 2 apple snails and a zebra which is going to the same friend. i want to get some guppys but not sure how many. so for example would 2 females and one male be ok or not?

 

[MHunt]

The kind of ratio you're talking about is fine. You can keep single sex groups also if you don't want them to breed. I have three male guppies in my community tank and they are fine.

 

[kpintheshed]

so if i choose 2 females and a male or 3 males would my tank be able to stock that?

 

[Duck and Dive]

Choose more males than females if you want them to breed more.

 

[MHunt]

Your tank is well able to handle at least 5 guppies, up to about 10 with the other fish you have in there. I always thought for a happy community you stocked at least two females to every male so the females don't get over stressed. Just bear in mind that of you get a mixed group and the fish breed, your 18 gal tank is going to get very crowded. Breeding fish is the biggest cause of MTS (Multiple Tank Syndrome) in fishkeepers.

 

[kribensis12]

Choose more males than females if you want them to breed more.

There is no truth to that. Guppies have a extremely big sex drive and the rule of thumb is 1 male to 2 female's. There females you have the more babies!

 

[dortiz24]

I'd say get 2 females to one male always. When I got my first guppies I got seven to start. 2 males and 5 females. Be prepared for LOTS of babies though! LOL

 

[pifaffle]

I have two male guppies and 0 female guppies, and I find that they are always bothering the other fish, especially the female platy.