Guppies 'must be bred using bare tank setup'

Advice has been offered to fishkeepers on successfully breeding guppies.

Guppies must be bred using the bare tank method if the process is to be successful.

This is according to Practical Fishkeeping, which explained aquariums must be free of plants and gravel substrate, although some Java moss or fern is appropriate as this provides cover when the female releases her brood.

Writer John Rundle recommended using a tank measuring 46 x 23 x 30cm (18 x 9 x 12 inches) for breeding, while a larger aquarium should then be used for growing on.

He also noted it is important to cull the brood during the breeding process, as it is better to have 50 good-sized, healthy fish with straight fins than 200 runts.

"Within periods of 25 days the female Guppy can produce further broods. It will probably be impossible to raise all of them, so it is imperative to stick to strict breeding methods," Mr Rundle advised.

Guppies prefer a slightly hard water aquarium and should be kept at temperatures of around 24 to 27 degrees C (75 to 81 degrees F).

Posted by Lee Paul
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Monday, 20 Feb 2012, 4:50pm