Tips to Get Guppies to Mate

Although guppies may seem like unremarkable fish, many guppies display vibrant colors and long, flowing fins. These fish are not only attractive, but also hardy and easy to care for. This ease of care, combined with their peaceful nature, makes breeding them less of a challenge. Guppies are known as livebearing fish, meaning they give birth as opposed to laying eggs. Breeding guppies can help a beginner aquarium enthusiast learn how to raise fish.

  1. Separate Breeding Aquarium

    • Many guppy breeders are looking to create specific coloring, patterning or fins in their guppies. If you have a specific male and female guppy in mind for breeding, consider moving the pair in a separate breeding aquarium. Move the female first, and allow her to remain there for about three months before introducing the male. Females can store sperm for this long, so unless the female has been in an aquarium by herself, this is the only way to ensure the young guppies you get are from the male you selected. Separating the breeding pair from other aquarium fish can sometimes lessen stress, making the fish more likely to breed. A separate breeding aquarium also means that, once the breeding is over and the female has given birth, the parent fish can be removed, and the fry can grow in this aquarium without any danger of being eaten by their parents or other fish.

    Aquarium Temperature

    • Guppies are hardy and comfortable at a range of temperatures. Anywhere between 64 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit is usually fine for these fish. Some guppies also have little problem breeding in water in this temperature range. However, in order to make the guppies as comfortable as possible and to increase the chances of breeding, maintain an aquarium temperature between 72 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Water pH

    • Guppies are most comfortable in an aquarium with a water pH level between 7.0 and 8.5. You can find out what your aquarium's water pH level is by using a water testing kit. Additives can be used in the water if the pH level is too low or too high. Bringing the pH to the correct level will make the guppies feel more contented and will increase the chances of breeding.

    Salinity Level

    • Most livebearing fish are healthier when a small amount of aquarium salt is added to the aquarium. Healthier fish are more likely to breed and produce healthy offspring. Add between 1 to 1 1/4 and tbsp. of aquarium or non-iodized salt for every gallon in the aquarium.