Guppy tankmates - Aquarium Advice

Johnny Tuttle · 09-16-2008, 06:45 AM

I've been wondering whether I could add in a male and two female swordtails with the one male and two female fancy guppies I currently have in a 21g.

Would swordtails be too big for the tank, allowing for some breeding in the guppies? Would platies be the better choice?

Phoenixphire55 · 09-16-2008, 12:09 PM

So you have a 21 gallon tank with three guppies in it? You could probably add about ten swordtails and not have a problem. Thats a big tank and you're talking about little fish.

Johnny Tuttle · 09-16-2008, 12:31 PM

Yeah, I do have only three fish in a 21 gallon. I am thinking the same ratio (1m/2f) of swordtails and platties to the tank.

I'd have 9 adults, accept some fry getting older and sell others.

JesseL · 09-16-2008, 01:07 PM

The swordtails and platies would be fine unless you want your guppies to breed. They will eat the fry .

Johnny Tuttle · 09-16-2008, 01:11 PM

I think that's fine with me if that doesn't sound cruel. I do have some java moss and other plants to give the fry some room to hide. If no fry reach adult status, I could always up the guppies to six on my own (ie, through my LFS).

Johnny Tuttle · 09-16-2008, 08:26 PM

Phoenix, I notice this in your signature:

20 gallon: 8 Mollies, 4 Bronze Corys, betta, guppy

You seem to have gone light for a comparably sized tank.

Am I right in thinking with live bearers I should expect more waste and, therefore, fewer fish in a tank?

Johnny Tuttle · 09-20-2008, 07:53 AM

I added in my three platties yesterday--and six days after having acquired my guppies, I had fry yesterday morning. There were as many as seven. I still see them this morning, but with the platties in, the fry are hiding much more effective in the plants.

I'm tempted for some bottom dwellers. Would ghost shrimp, golden snails, and an oto (the smallest of the algae eaters) work?

A pleco would like my water conditions, but I keep hearing they are messy. Any advice?

JesseL · 09-21-2008, 01:44 PM

Ghost shrimp only eat a little bit of algae, but they do eat some and are fun to watch. I never had any problem with pleco's, just be sure you get a Rubber Lip or other small variety. If you get a standard pleco -they grow upt to 2 feet or more.The oto's are good but dont like to be alone. Never kept the snail so I cant help you there. Always make sure algae eaters actually have algae in the tank to eat, or suppliment with agae wafers or something.

Johnny Tuttle · 09-22-2008, 11:40 AM

I've since gone with neons instead of swordtails.

Does this eliminate having a pleco of any kind?

JesseL · 09-22-2008, 01:55 PM

No, plecos are peaceful and will ignore your neons.

09-16-2008, 06:45 AM	#1
Johnny Tuttle Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 285	Guppy tankmates I've been wondering whether I could add in a male and two female swordtails with the one male and two female fancy guppies I currently have in a 21g. Would swordtails be too big for the tank, allowing for some breeding in the guppies? Would platies be the better choice?

09-16-2008, 12:09 PM	#2
Phoenixphire55 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 390	So you have a 21 gallon tank with three guppies in it? You could probably add about ten swordtails and not have a problem. Thats a big tank and you're talking about little fish. __________________ 20 gallon: 5 African clawed frogs 10 gallon: fb toads and fb newts 25 gallon: 8 Mollies, 4Corys, betta, guppy

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09-16-2008, 12:31 PM	#3
Johnny Tuttle Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 285	Yeah, I do have only three fish in a 21 gallon. I am thinking the same ratio (1m/2f) of swordtails and platties to the tank. I'd have 9 adults, accept some fry getting older and sell others.

09-16-2008, 01:07 PM	#4
JesseL Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Broadway North Carolina USA Posts: 38	The swordtails and platies would be fine unless you want your guppies to breed. They will eat the fry .

09-16-2008, 01:11 PM	#5
Johnny Tuttle Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 285	I think that's fine with me if that doesn't sound cruel. I do have some java moss and other plants to give the fry some room to hide. If no fry reach adult status, I could always up the guppies to six on my own (ie, through my LFS).

09-16-2008, 08:26 PM	#6
Johnny Tuttle Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 285	Phoenix, I notice this in your signature: 20 gallon: 8 Mollies, 4 Bronze Corys, betta, guppy You seem to have gone light for a comparably sized tank. Am I right in thinking with live bearers I should expect more waste and, therefore, fewer fish in a tank?

09-20-2008, 07:53 AM	#7
Johnny Tuttle Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 285	I added in my three platties yesterday--and six days after having acquired my guppies, I had fry yesterday morning. There were as many as seven. I still see them this morning, but with the platties in, the fry are hiding much more effective in the plants. I'm tempted for some bottom dwellers. Would ghost shrimp, golden snails, and an oto (the smallest of the algae eaters) work? A pleco would like my water conditions, but I keep hearing they are messy. Any advice?

09-21-2008, 01:44 PM	#8
JesseL Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Broadway North Carolina USA Posts: 38	Ghost shrimp only eat a little bit of algae, but they do eat some and are fun to watch. I never had any problem with pleco's, just be sure you get a Rubber Lip or other small variety. If you get a standard pleco -they grow upt to 2 feet or more.The oto's are good but dont like to be alone. Never kept the snail so I cant help you there. Always make sure algae eaters actually have algae in the tank to eat, or suppliment with agae wafers or something.

09-22-2008, 11:40 AM	#9
Johnny Tuttle Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 285	I've since gone with neons instead of swordtails. Does this eliminate having a pleco of any kind?

09-22-2008, 01:55 PM	#10
JesseL Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Broadway North Carolina USA Posts: 38	No, plecos are peaceful and will ignore your neons.