How Many Is Too Many

[Chug]

Ok, so in one of my Fluval Edge tanks, (7 gal) i have 2 male and 3 female Guppies, 1 female has had about 15 fry, i left them in the tank as i was sure more than half if not all would be a snack. However much to my supirse, I still have 12 fry, I know they are not new fry as they are growing more and more each day. How many Guppies should i have in a this Edge. It is planted. Suggestions?

Thanks

Chug

 

[ripil]

i'd say 17 adult guppies is plenty for a 30 litre tank if not maybe too much. they're only going to breed again within a month or so. remember to try to keep the ratio of one male to two females. i keep a 1-3 ratio and they all seem happy enough.

 

[Dieses Madchen]

You can keep down the population of the tank by donating unwanted fry to the LFS or by putting a free to a good home ad out. My livebearers breed like crazy, so once a month I hae an ad out and people come pick the babies right out from my tank. Most of my babies are in aquariums of 125g plus!

 

[pezmanw]

What you have is too many I would put at max 4 to 5, and only male guppies (no babies that way). The 12 fry you have now well be ready to have young in 12 weeks or so and the female that gave birth well be ready to drop again in about 28 days after the last batch. You might want to get another tank.

 

[OldMan47]

With guppies, in a well planted tank, I find that the population becomes self limiting rather quickly. The fish will control their own numbers at a rather crowded level. As long as you can keep the water quality good, you should have no trouble with a mixed sex breeding colony. I run a 10 gallon, 37 litre, tank that way and sell off most of the adults every few months.