Technically, you can have a single guppy living alone in a fish tank. These fish will not die of loneliness if no other guppies or fish are around. However, guppies are social creatures by nature and should be kept in groups when possible.
Just because guppies can live alone doesn’t necessarily mean that they should. If you choose to keep a single guppy, there is a lot of information you need to know and, in this article, we will fill you in on that and more.
Should Guppies Live Alone?
Guppies are social creatures you like to hang around in small packs—usually 3 or 4 females and one male per tank. You will need more females than males due to the males’ consistent need to breed.
Male guppies will chase the females so much, eventually over-exerting and harming them if there are not enough to provide some relief for one another.
With that being said, these little fish (while technically not schooling fish) do enjoy the company of one another and are happiest when they are sharing their tank with other swimming creatures.
Guppies prefer being in a pack because they feel safe in multiples, and they enjoy chasing one another having fun swimming around the tank.
Rchampagne [Public Domain]Can A Guppy Live Alone?
Guppies can live alone. Although they love company, these fish are not known to die due to loneliness.
Most people who choose to keep one guppy in a tank most likely have males. Males are often the go-to option for single guppy aquariums because they tend to be more colorful and have prettier patterns.
If you do decide you only want one guppy in the tank, there are some things you can do to make the stay a little easier on your fish friend.
Decorate Your Tank
Guppies are not the type of creature to die of loneliness, but like most fish, can die from a large amount of stress.
If your guppy feels alone and swimming in a small, empty space for too long, it can become stressed out and die. To avoid these issues, you should fill your tank with plenty of plants and fish fun decore.
These items will give your fish something to do, keeping it calm.
Give Your Guppy a Friend
If you are keeping a solo guppy to prevent males from fighting or because you don’t want little baby guppies swimming around, you can always add another non-aggressive fish to the tank.
Guppies are fairly peaceful creatures and wouldn’t mind the company of a different fish species.
Some great options include:
- Swordtail fish
- Platty fish
- Molly fish
- Betta fish
- Angelfish
- Tetras
- Rainbowfish
- Danios
- Kuhli Loach
Is your tank too small to add another fish? You can provide your guppy with other little buddies that don’t require very much space.
Non-fish options include:
- Crystal Red Shrimp
- Nerite Snails
- African Dwarf Frog
- Amano Shrimp
- Apple Snails
- Ghost Shrimp
Any of these animals are great options to add to a guppy fish tank. They are all easy-going, peaceful creatures that can co-habitat without any trouble.
Feed Your Guppy a Healthy Delicious Diet
A happy guppy is a well-fed guppy. Guppies are fairly easy to care for which is why they are often considered great starter fish for anyone new to the aquarium life.
However, it can be easy to overfeed a single guppy and they can be gluttons and are known for overeating if you let them, leading to gastrointestinal problems and blockage.
Are Guppies Happy in Pairs?
Owning two females is the only safe way to keep just a pair of guppies in one tank. The downside to this comes with the information previously stated regarding their look. Many people who get guppies go for the prettier colors, which are male.
Unfortunately, you do not want to keep two male guppies together, no matter how nice they may make your fish tank look.
Without having a female to breed with, guppies can become very aggressive, and they will fight each other, sometimes to death.
Without a female to chase around, your two males will attack, biting at each other’s tails, which can end up an infection, and then they could die.
Now, if you attempt to place a single female and a single male together, the male will not leave the female alone, wanting to breed frequently. Not only is this dangerous for the female fish, but it will also result in a continuous flow of “fry” or baby guppies.
What Size Tank Does A Single Guppy Need?
If you do choose to own just one guppy fish, you won’t need a very large tank. A five-gallon tank will do just fine, giving them plenty of room to roam. These little guys do not take up much space, meaning they don’t need huge aquariums to freely move about.
If you are considering the option of any more than one, it would be best to purchase a ten-gallon take, making it easy for them to have their own space or hide from one another if needed.
Why Shouldn’t Your Guppy Live Alone?
Here is a quick recap on why your guppies shouldn’t live alone, even if they technically can.
- Guppies are social creatures and like to be around other fish
- Guppies feel safer and much more comfortable in groups
- A group of guppies ensures safe and healthy breeding
- Guppies are active and like chasing each other around the tank
- Lone guppies can easily become overstressed and stress can kill them
Scientifically, it is said, guppies cannot feel the emotion of loneliness. However, it is proven these little guys like to be in groups and will do much better this way.
Summing Things Up
A guppy is capable of living all alone in a small tank as long as the proper steps are taken to keep it happy and healthy. However, anyone on the market for guppies should consider getting a small group, this will ensure your guppies will remain calm and worry-free for a long time.