GloFish are genetically modified zebra danios that glow under black light due to inserted coral genes. Their bright colors make them popular aquarium fish. If you already keep guppies, you may wonder if GloFish can live together with them peacefully.

If you don’t have time to read the whole article, the short answer is yes: GloFish and guppies can generally live together without problems as long as you meet their care requirements.

In this nearly 3,000 word guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about keeping GloFish with guppies. We’ll look at their compatibility in terms of water parameters, behavior, diet, tank mates and more. We’ll also provide tips to help you successfully mix these fish.

Basic Needs of GloFish and Guppies

Water Parameters

When it comes to water parameters, both GloFish and guppies have similar requirements (source). They thrive in freshwater aquariums with a pH between 7.0-8.0, water hardness between 10-20 dGH, and temperatures between 72-82°F.

Maintaining the proper water chemistry is essential for the health and longevity of both species.

One of the most critical water parameters is ammonia. Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels should be kept at 0 ppm, 0 ppm, and <40 ppm respectively. Levels can be controlled through regular partial water changes and using filtration systems to maintain quality.

Tank Size

GloFish and guppies have modest space requirements compared to other aquarium fish. For guppies, a 10-gallon tank is usually sufficient for a small group (source). GloFish can thrive in a slightly larger 15-20 gallon aquarium, which allows room for decorations and swimming (source).

When housing guppies and GloFish together, aim for at least a 20-gallon tank. This allows both species adequate room to swim and explore. Though they have modest requirements, never keep them in tiny desktop tanks.

Overcrowding causes stress, aggression, poor water quality, disease outbreaks, and premature death.

Decorations and Plants

GloFish and guppies appreciate heavily planted aquariums. Live plants benefit water quality by utilizing nitrates, reducing algae growth, stabilizing pH levels, and producing oxygen. They also provide shelter, explore stimulation, and spawning sites.

Some great beginner species are Java fern, Java moss, Anubias barteri, Amazon sword, and vallisneria.

In addition to plants, include smooth gravel substrate and plenty of hiding spots like rocks, bogwood, terracotta pots, and aquatic driftwood. While decorations make tanks visually appealing, they primarily serve functional purposes related to fish health and behavior!

Behavior of GloFish and Guppies

Activity Levels

Both GloFish and guppies are quite active fish that like to explore their tank and interact with each other. Guppies tend to be a bit more active, often seen quickly darting around the tank and foraging for food.

GloFish exhibit lots of interesting glowing behaviors like changing colors when they get excited or stressed. Since they’re related species, GloFish and guppies have similar activity levels overall.

Aggression and Nipping

Guppies are generally peaceful, social fish that don’t often show aggression towards each other or other tank mates like GloFish. Male guppies may occasionally chase or nip at each other when competing for female attention.

GloFish are also quite peaceful and known for getting along well with guppies and other small, calm fish. They’re unlikely to harass or nip fins. But any fish can get aggressive if overcrowded.

Schooling or Shoaling Tendencies

Both GloFish and guppies are shoaling fish, meaning they like to swim together in loose groups rather than tightly schooling. Guppies form loose shoals around 5-6 fish, socializing together while also exploring alone at times. GloFish shoal in slightly larger numbers around 6-8 fish.

They’ll interact closely with guppies in a shared tank. Since these species have very similar social behaviors, they make great tank mates.

Feeding GloFish and Guppies Together

When it comes to feeding GloFish and guppies together, the most important thing is to provide a balanced diet that meets the nutritional needs of both species. Here are some tips for successfully feeding these fish together:

Choose High Quality Fish Food

Select a high quality flake or pellet food that is specifically formulated for tropical fish. Make sure the food contains a good amount of protein (around 40%), as well as essential vitamins, minerals, and lipids. Some great options include:

Offer Both Flakes and Pellets

Provide a mixture of flakes and pellets to give your fish some variety. GloFish and guppies usually accept both types readily. The flakes will float on the surface, while the pellets will sink for mid-dwelling feeders. Just alternate between the two foods with each feeding.

Feed Small Amounts Multiple Times Per Day

These active fish have fast metabolism, so it’s best to feed small amounts 2-3 times per day, rather than one large meal. This helps prevent waste and keeps the water cleaner. A good general rule is to only feed enough food that the fish can completely consume within 2-3 minutes.

Supplement with Frozen and Live Foods

In addition to flakes and pellets, you can also supplement your GloFish and guppies’ diet with frozen and live foods. Great options include:

  • Brine shrimp
  • Bloodworms
  • Daphnia
  • Mosquito larvae
  • Blackworms

These will provide extra protein and nutrients. Feed them 1-2 times per week as a tasty treat!

Avoid Overfeeding

It’s easy to overfeed active little fish like GloFish and guppies. But leaving excess food in the tank can contaminate the water and lead to disease. Observe your fish during feedings and adjust amounts accordingly. Uneaten food should always be removed promptly.

By sticking to a varied, high quality diet and feeding proper amounts, you can meet the nutritional requirements of both GloFish and guppies simultaneously. Following these feeding tips will lead to vibrant, healthy fish that dazzle in shared tank environments!

Tank Mates for GloFish and Guppies

GloFish and guppies can make great tank mates under the right conditions. When keeping these fish together, here are some key considerations:

Compatible Water Parameters

GloFish and guppies thrive in similar water conditions, making them easily kept together. Both species do best in warm water between 72-82°F, with a pH between 7.0-8.0. Since their requirements are so alike, you can keep the tank environment consistent for the health and comfort of both fish.

Tank Size

These small, active fish need adequate swimming room. For a group of 5-6 GloFish and guppies, aim for a 20-30 gallon tank. This allows each fish enough space to explore without feeling cramped or territorial. Going too small may cause aggression between tank mates competing for resources.

Decor and Hiding Spots

GloFish and guppies appreciate heavily planted tanks with driftwood, rock caves and other decor. This gives each fish security and breaks up sight lines to prevent bullying. Floating plants are also great, offering dim lighting that brings out the GloFish’s vibrant colors.

Just be sure there’s still enough open swimming room.

Keeping the Peace

GloFish and guppies are generally peaceful and unlikely to nip fins or bully one another. However, any fish can get aggressive if overcrowded or competing for limited tank resources. To keep the peace, make sure any tankmates are similarly sized and that you don’t overstock the aquarium.

Feed a quality diet so no one goes hungry!

With some basic considerations for their health and happiness, GloFish and guppies can thrive together. Their small size, active nature and bright colors make them a delight to keep!

Tips for Keeping GloFish With Guppies

Quarantine New Fish

When introducing new GloFish or guppies to an established tank, it’s crucial to quarantine them first. House new fish in a separate, temporary tank for about 2 weeks to watch for signs of disease or illness. Only add them to the main tank after confirming they’re healthy.

This protects the other fish and avoids introducing sickness.

Use a Large Enough Tank

Both GloFish and guppies need adequate swimming room in their tank. The general rule is to have at least 10 gallons of water per GloFish, and 2 gallons per guppy. So for example, housing 3 GloFish with 5 guppies, you’d need a minimum of 10 + 10 + 10 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 38 gallon aquarium.

The bigger, the better as it’s more easily maintained. Make sure your filtration system can handle the total tank size too.

Provide Plenty of Hiding Places

Guppy tails and vibrant GloFish patterns can attract aggressive fish behavior. Ensure there are lots hiding places such as aquatic plants, rocks or caves so they have somewhere to retreat if needed. Artificial plants and decorations work well too. This helps reduce fin nipping and aggressive behavior.

Check Water Parameters Regularly

Both GloFish and guppies thrive in warm, clean water. Recommended parameters are:

  • Temperature: 74°F – 82°F
  • pH: 7.0 – 8.0
  • Hardness: 250 ppm
  • Ammonia/nitrites/nitrates: Close to 0 ppm (Use a test kit)

Conduct 30% water changes weekly and test frequently with an aquarium test kit. Use a chemical conditioner like Prime to remove chlorine and chloramine during changes.

Conclusion

As brightly colored shoaling fish, GloFish and guppies generally make excellent tank mates. They share similar water parameter needs, diets and activity levels. With a properly sized and decorated tank, plus attentive care and maintenance, the two species can live happily together.

We hope this guide gave you the information you need to decide if adding GloFish is right for your guppy tank. Let us know if you have any other questions!

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