What Fish Go Well With Guppies – The Ultimate Compatibility Chart
So, you’ve fallen in love with the vibrant colors and lively personalities of guppies. It’s easy to see why! They’re like little swimming jewels. But now you’re facing the big, exciting question: how do you build a community around them? You’re probably wondering what fish go well with guppies to create a beautiful, active, and most importantly, peaceful aquarium.
You’re in the right place. I promise this complete guide will take all the guesswork out of choosing the perfect tank mates. We’re going to walk through everything you need to know, from the absolute best companions to the fish you should definitely avoid, ensuring your aquarium becomes a thriving, harmonious ecosystem.
In this article, we’ll explore the top fish and invertebrate choices, break down the key principles of compatibility, and provide actionable tips for setting up your tank for success. Let’s dive in and build your dream guppy community together!
Understanding Guppy Temperament: The Key to a Peaceful Tank
Before we start listing fish, it’s crucial to understand the main character of our story: the guppy. Knowing their nature is the first step in this complete what fish go well with guppies guide.
Guppies (Poecilia reticulata) are generally peaceful, active, and curious fish. However, they have two defining features that dictate who their friends can be: their long, flowing fins and their small size. That beautiful, flashy tail on a male guppy looks like a tempting, waving flag to fin-nipping fish.
Here’s what to look for in a compatible tank mate:
- Peaceful Temperament: This is non-negotiable. Aggressive or semi-aggressive fish will bully, stress, and injure your guppies.
- Similar Water Parameters: Guppies thrive in harder water with a pH of 6.8-7.8 and temperatures between 72-82°F (22-28°C). Their tank mates must be comfortable in these conditions.
- Small Mouths: Any fish that can fit an adult guppy in its mouth will eventually try. Stick to small-mouthed species.
- Doesn’t Nip Fins: This is a major one! Fish known for nipping, like some types of tetras or barbs, are a poor match for fancy guppies.
Understanding these basics turns choosing tank mates from a guessing game into a simple matching process. Now, let’s get to the fun part!
What Fish Go Well With Guppies: Our Top Picks for a Thriving Community
Alright, let’s build your aquarium’s all-star team. These fish are tried-and-true companions for guppies, selected for their peaceful nature, compatible needs, and ability to add unique beauty and activity to your tank. This is the core of our advice on how to what fish go well with guppies.
Bottom-Dwelling Buddies
Bottom-dwellers are fantastic because they occupy a different part of the tank, reducing competition for space. They are the clean-up crew and the gentle giants of the substrate.
Corydoras Catfish (Corys)
These are, without a doubt, one of the best tank mates for guppies. They are incredibly peaceful, active, and endlessly entertaining to watch as they snuffle through the sand. They are social fish, so keep them in a group of at least 6 to see their best behavior. Panda Corys, Albino Corys, and Bronze Corys are all excellent choices.
Kuhli Loaches
Looking for something a little different? These eel-like loaches are shy, nocturnal, and fascinating. They love to burrow in sand and hide among plants and decor. They are completely peaceful and will spend their time cleaning up leftover food that sinks to the bottom, helping to keep your tank clean.
Bristlenose Plecos
If you need an algae-eater, the Bristlenose Pleco is your best bet. Unlike the Common Pleco which grows to a monstrous size, the Bristlenose stays a manageable 4-5 inches. They are workhorses when it comes to algae and are generally peaceful, preferring to mind their own business.
Mid-Water Marvels
These fish will share the middle and top levels of the water column with your guppies, creating a dynamic and colorful display.
Neon Tetras & Cardinal Tetras
These small, classic aquarium fish are a perfect match. Their peaceful nature and brilliant colors complement guppies beautifully. The key is to keep them in a proper school (6-8+ fish) to ensure they feel secure and don’t get nippy. Their small mouths pose zero threat to even guppy fry.
Harlequin Rasboras
Another fantastic schooling fish, Rasboras are known for their calm demeanor and striking black triangle patch. They are hardy, stay small, and swim in a graceful, tight school. They completely ignore guppies, making them an ideal, worry-free choice.
Endler’s Livebearers
Endler’s are essentially guppies’ smaller, hardier cousins. They share the same care requirements and peaceful temperament. They are incredibly colorful and active. One pro tip: if you keep male Endler’s with female guppies, they will interbreed, so be prepared for some unique-looking hybrid fry!
Beyond Fish: Great Invertebrate Tank Mates for Guppies
Don’t limit yourself to just fish! Invertebrates add a whole new dimension of interest to an aquarium and are wonderfully compatible with guppies.
Shrimp Superstars
Cherry Shrimp
These bright red shrimp are a fantastic addition. They are tiny scavengers that are constantly grazing on biofilm and leftover food. Guppies will likely eat some of the baby shrimp (shrimplets), but if you provide plenty of hiding spots like Java Moss, the shrimp colony will sustain itself. This is a great example of a sustainable what fish go well with guppies setup, as the shrimp help clean the tank.
Amano Shrimp
Slightly larger and less colorful than Cherry Shrimp, Amano Shrimp are algae-eating machines. They are too large for guppies to bother, making them a very safe and highly beneficial addition to your community.
Helpful Snails
Nerite Snails
If you have an algae problem, you need a Nerite Snail. They are the best algae-eating snails in the hobby and have the added bonus of being unable to reproduce in freshwater, so you’ll never have a snail infestation. Their intricate shell patterns are also beautiful.
Mystery Snails
These large, colorful snails are fun to watch and peacefully coexist with guppies. They will help with cleanup and add a pop of color—coming in gold, blue, ivory, and more. Just be sure to have a lid on your tank, as they can be escape artists!
Fish to AVOID: A Warning for Guppy Keepers
Knowing what fish to avoid is just as important as knowing which ones are compatible. Adding the wrong fish can lead to stress, injury, and death for your beloved guppies. Here are some common offenders.
- Most Barbs: Fish like Tiger Barbs are notorious fin-nippers. That flowing guppy tail is an irresistible target they will relentlessly harass.
- Bettas: While some people have success, it’s a huge gamble. A male Betta may see a colorful male guppy as a rival and attack it. It’s generally not worth the risk.
- Most Cichlids: Even smaller cichlids like Convicts or Jack Dempseys are far too aggressive. Larger cichlids like Oscars will see your guppies as a snack. The only exception might be very peaceful dwarf cichlids like German Blue Rams, but even that requires careful monitoring.
- Gouramis: Larger Gouramis, like the Blue or Gold Gourami, can be territorial and may bully guppies. The smaller, peaceful Dwarf Gourami can sometimes work, but they can be surprisingly aggressive as individuals.
- Angelfish: While beautiful, Angelfish grow large and will absolutely eat adult guppies once they are big enough. They are not suitable long-term companions.
Setting Up for Success: How to Create a Harmonious Guppy Community
Simply adding the right fish isn’t enough; you need to create the right environment. Following these what fish go well with guppies best practices will ensure a peaceful and healthy tank for years to come.
Tank Size Matters
Don’t overcrowd your tank! A 10-gallon tank is the absolute minimum for a small group of guppies, but if you want to add tank mates, you should start with a 20-gallon tank or larger. This gives everyone enough personal space, reduces stress, and makes water quality easier to maintain.
The Power of Plants and Decor
A bare tank is a stressful tank. Use plenty of live or artificial plants to break up sightlines and create hiding spots. This is especially important for guppy fry and shrimp. Plants like Java Moss, Hornwort, and Anubias are fantastic for this. Driftwood and rock caves also provide excellent shelter.
Quarantine New Arrivals
This is a pro tip that will save you a lot of heartache. Always quarantine new fish in a separate, smaller tank for 2-4 weeks before adding them to your main aquarium. This allows you to observe them for any signs of illness and treat them without risking your entire community.
Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Choices
One of the best eco-friendly what fish go well with guppies tips is to choose captive-bred fish whenever possible. This reduces the pressure on wild populations and ensures you’re getting healthier fish that are already accustomed to aquarium life. Supporting local fish stores that source responsibly is a great practice.
Common Problems When Mixing Fish with Guppies (And How to Solve Them)
Even with careful planning, you might run into a few bumps. Don’t worry! Here are some common problems with what fish go well with guppies and their easy solutions.
Problem: Fin Nipping
Solution: If you notice nipped fins despite choosing “peaceful” fish, it’s often a sign of stress or boredom. The first step is to check your school sizes. Are your tetras or corys in a large enough group? Adding more of their own kind can often solve the problem. Also, ensure the tank isn’t overcrowded and has plenty of plants and decor.
Problem: Overpopulation from Guppies
Solution: Guppies are livebearers, and they breed… a lot. A few guppies can quickly turn into dozens. Having tank mates like tetras or rasboras can actually help with this, as they will naturally predate on some of the fry, providing population control. If you don’t want any breeding, consider keeping an all-male guppy tank.
Problem: Food Competition
Solution: Make sure everyone is getting fed. Guppies are fast eaters and will stay at the top of the tank. Use a combination of foods to ensure everyone gets a bite. High-quality flakes for the guppies, and sinking pellets or wafers for your bottom-dwellers like Corydoras and plecos.
Frequently Asked Questions About Guppy Tank Mates
What fish can live with guppies in a 10-gallon tank?
In a 10-gallon, your options are limited due to space. You could keep a small group of 3-4 male guppies with a colony of Cherry Shrimp and a Nerite Snail. For fish tank mates, a small school of 6 Ember Tetras or a trio of male Endler’s Livebearers would be your best and safest bet. Avoid adding too many fish to a tank of this size.
Can shrimp live with guppies?
Absolutely! As mentioned in this what fish go well with guppies care guide, shrimp are excellent companions. Larger Amano Shrimp are completely safe. Smaller dwarf shrimp like Red Cherries can also thrive, but you must provide plenty of hiding places like mosses or dense plants, as adult guppies may snack on their tiny babies.
Can bettas and guppies live together?
It is highly discouraged. A male betta’s long fins and aggressive nature make it a poor match for a flashy male guppy, which it may mistake for a rival betta. While some have made it work in heavily planted, large tanks with female bettas, the risk of aggression and injury to your guppies is very high.
How many guppies should I keep together?
Guppies are social fish and should be kept in groups. A good starting point is a ratio of one male to two or three females. This prevents the males from relentlessly harassing a single female. If you want to avoid breeding, an all-male guppy tank is a stunning and popular option; just be sure to have at least 4-5 males to diffuse any minor squabbles.
Conclusion: Building Your Dream Guppy Aquarium
Creating a vibrant community tank with guppies at its heart is one of the most rewarding experiences in the aquarium hobby. The key is thoughtful planning, not just luck. By understanding your guppies’ needs and choosing companions with peaceful temperaments and similar requirements, you can build a stunning underwater world that is full of life and free of conflict.
Remember the core principles: choose peaceful fish, provide plenty of space and hiding spots, and always quarantine new additions. The benefits of what fish go well with guppies extend beyond just a pretty tank; you’re creating a balanced, active ecosystem that is a joy to watch and care for.
Now you have the knowledge and the confidence to choose the perfect tank mates. Go forth and create the beautiful, thriving aquarium you’ve been dreaming of!
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