“How long do guppies live?” you might ask. This page not only explains how long guppies live but also shows you ways to lengthen their lives. You’ll also learn what causes guppies to live shorter lives and how long they can go without nourishment.
How Long Do Guppies Live?
Guppies can survive for one to three years. However, under the correct circumstances, some people have claimed to live for up to five years! This, however, will be largely determined by where they were grown and their DNA. It’s the exception rather than the rule.
However, if Guppy passes away, a few months after you acquire it, you may not be to blame. It’s possible that the guppy you bought was already elderly and had reached the end of its lifespan.
Just make sure that if this happens, you check the tank settings to ensure that everything is in order. Otherwise, you may wind up with even more fish dying.
What Can Make A Guppies Life Shorter?
The longevity of your guppies is influenced by a variety of variables. Many of them are under your control, while others are not. Here are all the factors that can influence the lifespan of your guppies.
1. Genetics
Genetics is the most important factor in determining a guppie’s longevity. If the parents have lived a long life, your guppies are likely to live a long life as well. In a commercial pet store, the chances of this happening are far lower. They’re usually more concerned with selling their fish than keeping them healthy.
2. Pregnancy
Pregnancy is another condition that will drastically limit the lifespan of your guppies. Especially when it occurs repeatedly. Pregnancy imposes a toll on all animals, but guppies, regrettably, get pregnant frequently. If you keep males and females together, the females are unlikely to live as long as the males.
3. Inadequate Tank Conditions
If you keep your guppies in an overcrowded, dirty, or insufficiently large tank, it can shorten their longevity. They’re hardy fish, so they’ll do fine in these circumstances. But make no mistake: they will not be pleased, and their longevity will be significantly diminished.
4. Stress
While poor tank conditions can contribute to stress, they aren’t the only factor. In addition to inadequate tank conditions, improper tank mates might shorten your guppies’ lives. They’ll grow anxious if they’re in a tank with aggressive tank mates, live in poor tank conditions, or experience unexpected changes. All of this will have an impact on their lifespan.
In fact, if their bodies get overly stressed too soon, it can be fatal.
How Can You Make Your Guppies Live Longer?
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to extend the life of your guppies. If you follow the suggestions below, your guppies will have the best chance of enjoying a long and happy life!
1. Ascertain That They Are In A Shoal
Guppies are social fish that should never be left alone. They will grow frightened, scared, bored, and even depressed if they are left alone. To prevent this from happening, make sure they’re in a group of at least three people.
There should be one male guppy for every two females. The only exception is if you want to have three ladies. NEVER acquire three men since they will constantly fight each other.
2. Make Use Of A Large Enough Tank
It’s critical to keep your fish in a large enough tank for their health and enjoyment. All fish, not only guppies. If you want to keep a shoal of guppies, a minimum tank size of 5 gallons is recommended. To keep them satisfied, though, it’s always a good idea to go a little bigger.
If you’re considering upgrading to a larger tank, the Fluval Flex 9 Gallon is a great option. You’ll be able to fit 6-7 guppies in it easily.
3. Use A Heater And A Filter
Many individuals simply place their fish in a fish tank with no filter or heater. These can survive without these for a while, but their longevity will be significantly shortened. One cold day is all it takes to severely lower the temperature in your tank and kill your guppies. Without a filter, an ammonia buildup is likely to occur, which is exceedingly dangerous.
Not to mention that if you don’t have a filter, the number of water changes you’ll have to conduct would stress your fish.
4. Provide Them With High-Quality Food
You should also make sure your guppies are eating high-quality food. But it’s not just about feeding them high-quality food; you also need to ensure that their diet is diversified.
Tetramin Tropical Flakes are an excellent option, but make sure you’re also giving them live food like daphnia and mosquito larvae. You may also serve blanched vegetables like cucumbers and lettuce as a tasty treat! The most important thing is to avoid low-quality foods, which are frequently filled with toxic fillers that might make your guppies sick.
5. Keep Them Happy With Fish
If you keep aggressive fish with your guppies, they will grow agitated, which can shorten their lifespan. So, before adding any new fish to your tank, make sure you thoroughly research them.
6. Purchase From A Trustworthy Seller
While you may not have influence over the genetics of your guppies, the correct fish keeper most likely does. You should check for reputed sellers selling fish in your neighborhood. The fish will almost certainly be healthier than those purchased from commercial outlets, and you will be far more likely to obtain a robust, long-living guppy.
7. Only Keep Females
If you only have female guppies in your tank, they won’t be as stressed out as they would be if you had males in there. They’re also not going to worry each other. There will be more stress for women who get pregnant if there are men and women around. In addition, having males in the tank makes the fish more aggressive.
8. Provide Them With Hiding Places
Make sure all of your guppies have a safe place to hide. Making them feel secure will lessen their stress levels, allowing them to live longer. You can do this by adding ornaments, but having a lot of plants will make them feel even safer!
9. Regularly Test The Water
Finally, you should test the water on a regular basis. If you don’t test the water at least once a week, you’ll only find out there’s a problem when your guppies die.
Final Thoughts
Guppies are a popular, easy-to-care-for tropical aquarium fish that add a charming blend of brilliant colors and energy to a tranquil community tank, making them an excellent choice for beginners.
The most important thing you should remember from today’s lesson is that relaxed guppies live longer than stressed-out ones. So, if you follow our guidance and ideas, your guppies should live the longest life possible.
Thankfish for reading!