What Fish Can Live with Guppies: 11 Perfect Tank Mates
Choosing the right tank mates for your guppies can make a big difference in creating a happy and healthy aquarium. Guppies are friendly, colorful fish that thrive in community tanks, but it’s important to know what fish can live with guppies to ensure harmony.
In this article, we’ll explore 11 perfect tank mates for guppies, helping you build a vibrant and peaceful aquatic environment. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced aquarist, these compatible fish will add diversity and beauty to your tank.
11 Ideal Tank Mates for Guppies
1. Mollies
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- Scientific Name: Poecilia sphenops
- Size: 3-4 inches
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
- Tank Requirements: 72-78°F, pH 7.5-8.5
Mollies are one of the best companions for guppies due to their similar size and peaceful nature. They thrive in similar water conditions, which makes tank maintenance easier for aquarists. Mollies come in a variety of colors and patterns, adding visual interest to your aquarium.
Mollies are also livebearers like guppies, meaning they give birth to live young. This can create a dynamic and engaging environment in the tank as both species interact and reproduce. They are active swimmers and social fish, making them an excellent choice for a community tank with guppies.
2. Platies
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- Scientific Name: Xiphophorus maculatus
- Size: 2-3 inches
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
- Tank Requirements: 70-77°F, pH 7.0-8.0
Platies are another great option for a tank with guppies. They are similarly sized and have a gentle temperament, which makes them ideal tank mates. Platies are hardy fish that can adapt to a variety of water conditions, making them easy to care for alongside guppies.
These fish are also livebearers and come in a wide range of vibrant colors, which can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your aquarium. Platies are active and playful, often swimming throughout the tank and interacting with guppies, creating a lively and engaging environment.
3. Swordtails
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- Scientific Name: Xiphophorus hellerii
- Size: 4-5 inches
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
- Tank Requirements: 72-79°F, pH 7.0-8.4
Swordtails are a compatible choice for guppies due to their peaceful nature and similar environmental needs. They are slightly larger but share the same social temperament, making them excellent community tank members. Swordtails are named for the distinctive sword-like extension on the males’ tails, adding unique beauty to the tank.
These fish are also livebearers, and their active swimming patterns add life and movement to the aquarium. Swordtails enjoy planted tanks with plenty of space to swim, and their compatibility with guppies makes them a favorite among aquarists looking to diversify their tanks.
4. Corydoras Catfish
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- Scientific Name: Corydoras aeneus
- Size: 2-3 inches
- Lifespan: 5 years
- Tank Requirements: 72-78°F, pH 6.0-8.0
Corydoras catfish are excellent bottom dwellers that coexist peacefully with guppies. Their small size and gentle nature make them perfect tank mates, as they do not compete for the same space or resources. Corydoras catfish help keep the tank clean by scavenging for leftover food, contributing to a healthier tank environment.
These catfish prefer to live in groups and enjoy a well-planted tank with plenty of hiding spots. Their peaceful demeanor and useful cleaning habits make them an ideal addition to a guppy tank, ensuring a balanced and well-maintained aquatic community.
5. Neon Tetras
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- Scientific Name: Paracheirodon innesi
- Size: 1.5 inches
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
- Tank Requirements: 70-81°F, pH 6.0-7.5
Neon tetras are popular choices for guppy tanks due to their small size and peaceful nature. These brightly colored fish are known for their striking blue and red stripes, which add vibrant color to the aquarium. Neon tetras are schooling fish, so they should be kept in groups to ensure they feel secure and exhibit their natural behaviors.
Neon tetras thrive in similar water conditions to guppies, making them easy to care for in the same tank. Their active swimming and peaceful coexistence with guppies create a dynamic and visually appealing aquarium environment, enhancing the overall beauty and harmony of the tank.
6. Harlequin Rasboras
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- Scientific Name: Trigonostigma heteromorpha
- Size: 1.75 inches
- Lifespan: 5-6 years
- Tank Requirements: 72-77°F, pH 6.0-7.5
Harlequin rasboras are another excellent choice for a guppy tank. These peaceful, schooling fish thrive in similar water conditions and are known for their striking black and orange coloration. Keeping them in groups of six or more ensures they feel secure and exhibit their natural schooling behavior.
Harlequin rasboras are active swimmers and enjoy exploring their environment, making them a lively addition to the tank. Their calm demeanor and compatibility with guppies make them ideal tank mates. Additionally, their distinct appearance can add visual variety to your aquarium.
7. Bristlenose Plecos
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- Scientific Name: Ancistrus cirrhosus
- Size: 4-6 inches
- Lifespan: 5+ years
- Tank Requirements: 73-81°F, pH 6.5-7.5
Bristlenose plecos are excellent tank mates for guppies due to their peaceful nature and tank-cleaning abilities. They help keep the aquarium clean by eating algae and leftover food, making maintenance easier for you. Bristlenose plecos are bottom dwellers, so they won’t compete with guppies for space.
These fish are hardy and adaptable, thriving in a variety of water conditions. They prefer a tank with plenty of hiding spots and driftwood to nibble on. Their unique appearance, with bristle-like structures on their faces, adds an interesting element to the aquarium.
8. Dwarf Gouramis
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- Scientific Name: Trichogaster lalius
- Size: 2-3.5 inches
- Lifespan: 4-6 years
- Tank Requirements: 72-82°F, pH 6.0-7.5
Dwarf gouramis are colorful, peaceful fish that can coexist well with guppies. Their vibrant hues and gentle nature make them a delightful addition to a community tank. Dwarf gouramis prefer a well-planted aquarium with plenty of hiding spots to feel secure.
These fish are relatively easy to care for and thrive in the same water conditions as guppies. They are also labyrinth fish, meaning they can breathe air from the surface, which adds an interesting dynamic to the tank. Their compatibility and striking appearance make them a popular choice for mixed-species tanks.
9. Cherry Barbs
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- Scientific Name: Puntius titteya
- Size: 2 inches
- Lifespan: 5-7 years
- Tank Requirements: 73-81°F, pH 6.0-8.0
Cherry barbs are small, peaceful fish that make great tank mates for guppies. Their vibrant red coloration adds a splash of color to the aquarium. Cherry barbs are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least six to feel comfortable and display their natural behavior.
These fish are hardy and adaptable, thriving in a range of water conditions similar to those preferred by guppies. Cherry barbs are active swimmers and enjoy a well-planted tank with plenty of hiding spots. Their gentle nature and compatibility with guppies make them an excellent choice for a community aquarium.
10. Zebra Danios
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- Scientific Name: Danio rerio
- Size: 2 inches
- Lifespan: 2-5 years
- Tank Requirements: 64-75°F, pH 6.5-7.5
Zebra danios are small, active fish that are well-suited to living with guppies. Their peaceful temperament and similar tank requirements make them ideal companions. Zebra danios are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least six to ensure they feel secure and exhibit their natural behavior.
These fish are known for their striking horizontal stripes and energetic swimming patterns. Zebra danios are hardy and can adapt to a variety of water conditions, making them easy to care for. Their lively nature and compatibility with guppies make them a great addition to any community tank.
11. Kuhli Loaches
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- Scientific Name: Pangio kuhlii
- Size: 3-4 inches
- Lifespan: 10 years
- Tank Requirements: 73-86°F, pH 5.5-6.5
Kuhli loaches are bottom-dwelling fish that make excellent tank mates for guppies. Their peaceful nature and unique appearance add diversity to the aquarium. Kuhli loaches prefer a tank with plenty of hiding spots and a soft substrate to burrow into.
These fish are nocturnal and spend most of their time scavenging for food at the bottom of the tank, which helps keep the aquarium clean. Kuhli loaches are social and should be kept in groups to feel secure. Their compatibility with guppies and contribution to tank maintenance make them a valuable addition to a community tank.
