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GUPPYMAN'S HELP LINE-HOT LINE
Most of the common problems the
new guppy breeder faces is not finding the needed information when first getting
started. Throughout our website we have tried to cover most of the basic
requirements for successful guppy keeping. Before sending an email asking the
simple question "how do you know when a guppy is pregnant", It is necessary for
every tropical fish hobbyist to have at least one reference guide on tropical
fish, or specifically a book on livebearers or better yet guppies. We expect you
to make some effort to read our Articles to better understand as much as you can
about guppies before sending in your questions. We receive too many "how do you
tell a male from a female guppy" questions every day. Our website is full of
more information rarely discussed in other popular guppy books.
Think of the question you wish to ask and make sure you have made some attempt
to find an answer from the info on my website. If you cannot find your answer within my
website ( I get so many simple questions about explaining the differences of
makes and females, what foods to use as well as identifying what strain you
guppy is. Please keep your questions to important subjects that really require answers usually
not explained in most guppy books. Most questions can be found in several of my
well prepared articles.
All questions will be answered by E-mail promptly and may also appear in our monthly "Guppy Corner" column in Freshwater & Marine Magazine. Please include your full name and complete mailing address. We will not reply to any questions that do not contain the senders full name. This section can also be used to help getting started with a new guppy club I have a complete database of guppy people and will forward the names and address for your area. To receive a copy of other guppy hobbyist in your area by zip code you must send a self addressed stamped envelope to: (letters received requesting any information that do not contain a self addressed stamped envelope with correct postage will not receive a reply)
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Ten Tips On Keeping Fancy Guppies
1.
When starting out, only acquire one or two trios of the same line. To maintain a single strain and keeping it
pure, you will need about 8 to 10 tanks. It is better to use smaller 5 gal tanks for breeders and fry. Guppies
can live in a wide range of water conditions. The ideal water chemistry is a pH
of 7.2 and moderate hardness but they will adapt to water that is between 6.4 to
8.6 if acclimated properly. The first thing to do is place your newly acquired breeding stock into a
clean (do not use soap) container that is large enough to hold each trio, plus large
enough so you can add an equal amount of water from their new tank. DO NOT
FLOAT UNOPENED BAGS. After placing your
trio into this container, let them settle down for a short time. After a short time (app.
15 minutes) start adding about 3 - 4 ounces of water slowly into the container. Do this
slowly over a period of about one hour, until you have almost doubled the volume of water.
Do not rush this important acclimation process. Make sure the fish cannot jump out of
container. When you are done and they fish have settled down, carefully pour them into
their new tank. DO NOT FEED THEM. Observe them and be patient. After about an hour you may
feed them ever so slightly, a little baby brine shrimp or a pinch of dry food is
plenty. Do not feed again until the following day. In about a month you should start having fry. Be
prepared to have tank space available to raise each drop of babies. After 3 - 4 weeks you
must begin to separate virgin females from among the fry for your future breeders.
2.
Keeping the fry in the smaller tanks allows them to find food much easier
without burning up too much energy. If your litters are over 60 fry it is
better to raise them in 10 gallon tanks.
3.
Daily feedings of newly hatched brine shrimp to your newborn babies up to the
time they are at least 4 months old is necessary for good growth.
4.
Inside box filters are all that are necessary and are the choice of most of the top breeders. A
layer of polyester cotton with some marbles or gravel is all that you will need
for your filter material. I use dolomite gravel as it helps buffer the water. Dolomite
can be found in most pet stores that sell salt water fish. another alternative
to dolomite is oyster shells. Sponge
filters are another type of filter that works equally well when used correctly.
Sponge filters must be rinsed on occasion without destroying the living
bacteria.
5. Water changes: 30-50% weekly or bi-weekly water changes are mandatory for development and size. Always
siphon your tanks from the bottom. Avoid adding water to tanks that have
lost water
through evaporation. It is important to purchase a reliable water test kit
to know what your tap and tank water conditions are. Test kits for pH, hardness
and ammonia are easy to use. First time fish keepers should understand principals
of water chemistry and the effect it has on tropical fish keeping.
6. Small periodic feedings are the best way to feed fancy guppies. Overfeeding is probably the number one killer
of tropical fish. Small pinches of a good quality crushed flaked food is best if
fed every hour or so. Avoid feeding freeze dried foods as guppies have
difficulty digesting this type of food. If the fish are not aggressively
looking for food do not feed them.
7. At 4 to 5 weeks, fry should be separated by sex. Remove
or isolate only enough females that you will need to set up
your next set of breeders. Females are easily distinguished from males as they
will exhibit a dark area just above the anal fins where fertilization takes
place. This area is also referred to as the "gravid spot". Cull out (discard) any inferior fish. If you were able to
acquire a top quality strain, there should be little culling required. If
you find yourself culling more than 20% of a litter you are probably working
with a strain that is not pure.
8. Keeping your tanks bare makes it easier to control maintenance and helps avoid problems
caused by gravel and plants. Most guppy books explain the guppy's life cycle. If you have never raised livebearers I suggest you purchase a good book on basic tropical fish or one
especially on guppies. Female guppies once impregnated will become fatter and more rounded in appearance. Just prior to the female having birth they take on a squared-off appearance. The area just above the anal fins, called the "gravid spot" will also become darker.
9. Keep your breeders and fry at temperatures between 76 and 82 degrees. Older
guppies may be kept at lower temperatures between 72 to 76 degrees.
10. Do not overwhelm yourself in the beginning by starting out with too many fish. Remember that
healthy guppies have
litters every 28 to 35 days and it is a good idea not to mix different litters (even of the same strain)
together until they are at least 3 months of age. You may pay more for your
breeding stock than you expect, but starting with young, top quality breeding stock can
save you a great deal of money if purchased from a reputable guppy breeder.
E-mail your comments or questions to
"The Guppyman"
All comments and/or questions must include your complete name and correct email address if you wish to receive a reply