What To Do With Baby Guppies – The Ultimate Guide To Raising And
Finding a swarm of tiny eyes staring back at you from the floating plants is a milestone for every fish keeper. You probably started with a few colorful adults, and suddenly, you are a grandparent to dozens of tiny “fry.”
If you are currently staring at your tank wondering what to do with baby guppies, you are in the right place. It is completely normal to feel a bit overwhelmed by how quickly these little fish can multiply.
In this guide, I will share my years of experience to help you ensure their survival, manage your population, and decide the best path forward for your new aquatic additions. We will cover everything from the first 24 hours of life to finding them new homes.
The First Response: Immediate Steps for Survival
The moment you spot fry, your first instinct might be panic, but stay calm. Guppies are “ovoviviparous,” meaning they give birth to live, free-swimming young that are ready to hide immediately.
Your primary goal in the first few hours is protection. Adult guppies, including the mother, do not have parental instincts and will unfortunately view the babies as a high-protein snack.
If you want the fry to survive, you need to provide immediate cover. Dense clusters of Java Moss or floating Guppy Grass (Najas guadalupensis) are lifesavers for newborns.
These plants provide intricate hiding spots where the larger fish simply cannot reach. If you don’t have live plants, a plastic “fry grass” or a DIY spawning mop can work in a pinch.
Creating a Safe Haven: Breeder Boxes vs. Separate Tanks
One of the biggest decisions you will face regarding what to do with baby guppies is where they will live during their first few weeks. You have three main options, each with its own pros and cons.
Using a Mesh or Plastic Breeder Box
A breeder box hangs on the inside of your main aquarium. It allows the fry to stay in the same water as the adults without being eaten.
This is a great short-term solution for beginners. It keeps the babies safe and makes targeted feeding very easy since they are contained in a small area.
However, water circulation inside these boxes can be poor. You must ensure that fresh, oxygenated water is flowing through the mesh to prevent stunted growth.
Setting Up a Dedicated Grow-Out Tank
If you are serious about raising healthy, vibrant guppies, a separate 5 or 10-gallon “grow-out” tank is the gold standard. This allows for maximum control over their environment.
In a separate tank, you can perform frequent water changes without stressing the adult fish. You can also use a sponge filter, which is the safest filtration method for tiny fry.
Sponge filters provide gentle aeration and a surface for beneficial bacteria to grow. Most importantly, they won’t accidentally suck your baby guppies into the motor.
The “Survival of the Fittest” Approach
Some hobbyists choose to leave the fry in the main tank. If you have a heavily planted aquarium, a good percentage of the fry will naturally survive.
This method results in fewer, but often stronger and faster individuals. It also prevents your house from becoming filled with dozens of small aquariums!
Nutrition: What to Feed Your Growing Fry
Baby guppies are born with a small yolk sac, but they will start looking for food within hours. Because they are growing so rapidly, they need to eat small amounts multiple times a day.
For the first two weeks, their mouths are incredibly small. Regular fish flakes are far too large for them to consume unless they are processed correctly.
High-Protein Starter Foods
In my experience, Baby Brine Shrimp (BBS) is the “superfood” of the guppy world. These tiny, live crustaceans trigger a hunting instinct and are packed with the protein and fats needed for growth.
If you don’t want to hatch live food, Hikari First Bites or “Golden Pearls” are excellent commercial alternatives. These are powdered foods designed to float and remain accessible to fry.
The “Crushed Flake” Hack
If you are caught off guard and have no fry food, don’t worry! You can take your high-quality adult flakes and grind them into a fine dust using your fingers or a mortar and pestle.
Feed small amounts 3 to 5 times a day. The goal is for the fry to have slightly rounded bellies without leaving excess food to rot on the bottom of the tank.
Strategic Options: what to do with baby guppies When Your Tank Is Full
As your fry grow into juveniles (around the 1-month mark), you will need to make a long-term plan. Guppies can breed as early as 3 months of age, so population management is vital.
Deciding what to do with baby guppies is a rite of passage for every successful aquarist. Here are the most effective ways to manage your growing colony.
1. Rehoming to Local Fish Stores (LFS)
Many independent pet stores are happy to take locally raised guppies. They are often hardier than fish shipped from large commercial farms.
Don’t expect to get rich; most stores will offer store credit rather than cash. This is a fantastic way to pay for your fish food and supplies!
2. Selling or Giving Away to the Community
Platforms like Facebook Marketplace (check local rules), Craigslist, or specialized forums like “AquaSwap” are great for finding fellow hobbyists.
Giving them to a friend who is starting their first tank is also incredibly rewarding. Just make sure their tank is fully cycled before you hand over the fish.
3. Separating by Sex
If you want to stop the cycle of endless babies, you must separate the males from the females. Look for the “gonopodium” (a pointed anal fin) on the males.
By keeping a “males-only” or “females-only” tank, you can enjoy the beauty of the fish without the constant worry of what to do with baby guppies every few weeks.
4. Using a Natural Predator
This is a more “nature-focused” approach. Some keepers introduce a slightly larger, peaceful fish (like a Honey Gourami) to the main tank to keep the fry population in check naturally.
Maintaining Water Quality for Growing Fry
Young guppies are more sensitive to water chemistry than adults. High levels of ammonia or nitrate can cause “clamped fins” or permanent spinal deformities.
Because you are feeding fry frequently, waste builds up quickly. I recommend performing small, 25% water changes twice a week rather than one large change.
Keep your temperature stable around 76°F to 80°F (24°C to 27°C). Warmer water speeds up their metabolism and growth, but it also requires more frequent feeding and cleaning.
Always use a high-quality water conditioner to remove chlorine and chloramines. Any chemical shock during their youth can stunt their color development later in life.
The Importance of Genetic Health and Culling
When you have a lot of babies, you might notice some that don’t look quite right. Some might have bent spines or struggle to swim.
As an ethical fish keeper, it is important to prevent poor genetics from spreading. “Culling” doesn’t always mean euthanasia; it often means moving sub-par fish to a “retirement tank” where they won’t breed.
If you are still unsure what to do with baby guppies that show signs of illness, consult a local aquarium club. They can provide guidance on the most humane practices.
Healthy guppies should have straight backs, clear eyes, and active swimming patterns. These are the fish you want to keep or sell to others.
FAQ: Common Questions About Guppy Fry
How many babies do guppies have?
A single female can have anywhere from 10 to over 60 fry every 30 days. This is why having a plan for what to do with baby guppies is so important!
When can I put the babies back with the adults?
Generally, once the fry are too big to fit into the adult’s mouth, they are safe. This usually happens around the 4 to 6-week mark.
Why are my baby guppies dying?
The most common causes are poor water quality, overfeeding (which leads to ammonia spikes), or lack of oxygen. Check your parameters immediately with a liquid test kit.
Can I keep all the babies?
Only if you have enough tank space. The rule of thumb is 1 gallon of water per adult guppy. Overcrowding leads to stress, disease, and stunted growth.
Do I need a heater for the babies?
Yes, guppies are tropical fish. A stable temperature is crucial for their immune systems and proper digestive function.
Conclusion: Embracing the Joy of Guppy Breeding
Raising fry is one of the most rewarding aspects of the aquarium hobby. It allows you to witness the entire life cycle of these vibrant creatures right in your living room.
Now that you know what to do with baby guppies, you can move forward with confidence. Whether you choose to grow your colony or rehome them, your focus should always be on their health.
Remember to provide plenty of hiding spots, maintain pristine water, and feed high-quality food. If you follow these steps, you’ll have a tank full of healthy, active guppies in no time.
Do you have a specific strategy for managing your fry? Or perhaps a question about a unique setup? Join the conversation in the comments below—we love hearing from the Aquifarm community!
