Why do my guppies swim at the surface of my tank?

[Tommy08]

i have just purchased 2 male guppies and 2 female guppies, they are all swimming at the top of my tank and won’t come down. I have fed them and it didn’t make a difference other fish I have in my tank are two sunset tetras and one male Betta fish. I can’t tell if it’s the betta fish as it is sometimes aggressive but not towards the guppies what do I do to make them swim down ?
Even though my betta is in some cases aggressive it doesn’t seem to attack or bother the guppies in any way.

 

[Essjay]

We need to ask a few questions, I'm afraid.

How big is the tank?
What are the water conditions - ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?
What species are the sunset tetra? If you don't know, can you post a photo of them.
Do the other fish swim at the surface or just the guppies?


The more information you can give us the better we'll be able to help.

 

[Colin_T]

Hi and welcome to the forum

How much aeration/ surface turbulence is there in the tank?

 

[FishGuest5123]

If the guppies are fancy tailed guppies then the betta will mistake them for other bettas and attack. Guppies and bettas should not be in the same tank. They may be avoiding the betta. Bettas are not community fish and should be kept alone. Can you get him a small 5 gallon tank?

 

[Essjay]

And although you have not seen the betta attack the guppies, just being in the same tank as a betta could be stressing them by him secreting 'don't like you' chemicals into the water.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

If the guppies are fancy tailed guppies then the betta will mistake them for other bettas and attack. Guppies and bettas should not be in the same tank. They may be avoiding the betta. Bettas are not community fish and should be kept alone. Can you get him a small 5 gallon tank?

I agree, Bettas can be kept with other species of fish, but are best left alone. The betta will attack the guppies, because it will mistake the colorful fin species of the guppy, for their betta fish. (Betta fish + betta fish =disaster)

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