If you’re looking to add some diversity to your tank, you might be wondering if the two species are a good match for each other.
After all, guppies and platies are two of the most common aquarium fish species for a reason!
They’re low-maintenance, have a nice temperament, and look really pretty. It’s no wonder people would want to grow them together.
So, can guppies live with platies?
Yes, guppy fish can cohabit with many fish species, including platies. They’re both peaceful and share preferences in their living conditions, including water temperature, salinity, and pH levels.
Let’s see how you can raise guppies and platies in a stress-free zone!
How Can Guppies Live With Platies?
While platies can tolerate colder waters than guppies, it’s still best to maintain an average temperature of around 75℉ to accommodate both breeds.
Platies can also handle slightly more alkaline water, but we recommend keeping the tank at 6.8-7 on the pH scale.
Salinity-wise, you don’t need to do much for either fish. They’re bred in freshwater aquariums, and salt isn’t a necessity at all.
Tips to Acclimate Guppies and Platies in a Tank
Let’s check out a few tips that can help you maintain peace between guppies and platies:
Pick the Right Breeds
Most guppies you find in pet stores are different from wild species. They’re bred to get the maximum docility and color boost.
So, you shouldn’t have trouble finding peaceful guppies.
On the other hand, some platy fish species are considered high-maintenance. For instance, swordtail is a close breed that’s a bit harder to cohabit with guppies.
We recommend that you steer clear from swordtails to make the acclimation process much easier.
Avoid Territorial Aggression
Let’s just clear this out: Guppies and platies never crossbreed. However, this doesn’t mean you won’t have to deal with a few fights here and there.
To limit the risk of these pecking fights in check, keep one male for every three or even four females.
Fish also fight over resources. That’s why we recommend being generous in the feeding portions and living spaces.
Don’t forget to clean up any leftover food on the same day before it decays, though!
Get the Right Tank Size and Shape
Overcrowding can quickly turn a peaceful tank into an aggressive environment. To avoid this, keep your population in check with the available tank space.
To mix species, we recommend starting at least 10 gallons.
As a rule of thumb, for every two gallons in the aquarium, you can add three guppies or single adult platy.
Plus, going for elongated tanks work best in providing the fish with enough room to swim and hide.
Add Dense Aquascaping Plants
Dense plants make perfect hiding spots for your fish so they can take a break from their tank mates.
Generally speaking, it’s best to organize the plants at the sides and adjacent to one side of the aquarium. This way, the fish will have enough room to swim, and you’ll get decent visibility.
Here are some of the options to consider for your aquarium:
- Java Fern
- Java Moss
- Duckweed
- Frogbit
- Anubias
- HornwortCater to the Individual Dietary Needs
Both guppies and platies can live off a mix of vegetables, fruits, and commercially-sold fish flakes.
However, their feeding schedules don’t always line up.
Guppies need to be fed twice daily, while platies are good to go on a single feeding per day or even every couple of days.
If you get confused easily, try setting reminders on your phone. It’ll help you stay on schedule without missing the platy fish meals.
Steer Clear from Overpopulation
The downside of owning livebearers like mollies and guppies is dealing with the population explosion.
If you skip feeding the platies, they’ll eat up the fry. However, if you don’t want to turn the young guppies into prey, you can put them up for adoption.
Another trick to try is to lower the temperature a notch. Guppies don’t easily breed under 72℉.
Alternatively, you can look into raising male-only guppies if you’re willing to deal with occasional pecking.
Clean the Aquarium Periodically
Even the most chill fish breeds can get stressed out in a dirty environment. Besides using a filter, you still need to change the water regularly.
A nice trick that will save you time and effort is partial water changes.
This means that you only change around 25% of the total capacity every week or two. This way, you cut on the need for acclimation.
Plus, it’s much easier to tackle small cleaning jobs at a time, and it’ll help you keep the tank clean.
Find Some Playmates
If the acclimation process goes smoothly, you can go the extra mile and diversify your aquarium further.
Once the guppies and platies settle down in their new home, you can go ahead and start considering new matches to make.
Breeds with peaceful temperaments are usually the best option to go for in this case.
Other livebearing fish species, like mollies, are highly compatible with the living conditions of both guppies and platies.
Protect the Young Guppies
While platies aren’t a particularly aggressive species, the “big fish eat small fish” rule applies here, too.
A guppy fry is so small that it makes the perfect prey for other adult fish.
If you have a bearing female guppy, it might be best to remove her to another aquarium. Alternatively, you can relocate the fry as soon as possible.
Either way, we wouldn’t recommend leaving the young guppies in the same tank with adult platies for extended periods.
The Takeaway
The answer to the question “Can guppies live with platies?” is a clear yes!
It’s quite possible to raise guppies and platies together in the same tank.
Although their feeding cycles are off-balance, the two fish breeds can be compatible in their living conditions, from the temperature to the pH levels.
Keep an eye on the water parameters, and you’ll get to enjoy one of the best aquarium combos there is!