🏠The Guppy tank: 60 L, hardware and start-up

Guppy : A tank of at least 60 L, well planted, with stable parameters rather than perfect values. Plan for overpopulation: one female can produce dozens of fry per month.

In short: 3 to 6 cm as an adult depending on sex, 60 L minimum for a group, water between 22 and 26 °C. Peaceful and sociable, yet males court relentlessly: keep two to three females per male to spread the pressure. An ultra-prolific livebearer in hard alkaline water: plan for overpopulation and avoid the very soft acidic water that weakens it.

60 litres minimum: why that number

For a group of 6+ Guppy reaching 6 cm as an adult, plan 60 real litres — and remember a big tank is more STABLE, hence easier, than a small one: parameters drift slowly, leaving time to correct. This volume suits a sturdy standard cabinet — just verify perfect levelness.

Hardware: filter, heater, lighting

The Guppy tank’s technical trio starts with filtration — three to five volume turnovers per hour, a heater around 1 W per litre set to 22 to 26°C, backed by an independent thermometer — built-in thermostats sometimes lie, and lighting on a timer at 8 to 10 hours a day: any longer and the algae win.

Substrate, plants and start-up

Nutrient substrate under fine sand or quartz, robust plants (anubias, vallisneria, Java moss) and wood to structure the territory. Then patience: a complete nitrogen cycle (3 to 4 weeks, nitrites back to zero) before the first Guppy — the step every hurried beginner pays for dearly.

Frequently asked questions

What tank size for Guppys?

A real 60 litres minimum for a group of 6+ — below that, parameters drift too fast to catch.

Does a Guppy need a heater?

Yes, about 1 W per litre set to 22 to 26°C, with an independent thermometer double-checking the thermostat.

The guides that apply to you

The rest of the Guppy’s gear

Bedding & habitat for related breeds and species