View Full Version : Anyone here still guppy fans?
I remember back 20-25 years ago almost everyone that had a tank had guppies. That has since changed. Why is that? Is it because more varieties are now available? I'm thinking about starting some fancy guppies in my 20 gallon by themselves.
elgecko
12-06-2003, 9:03 AM
As you said I think there are alot more choices now then there used to be. I've always likes guppies. There are so many different colors.
I have several in my 40 gallon tank.
Dahlia
12-06-2003, 9:06 AM
I think one of the problems is it is sometimes hard for people to find a good source of guppies. Many LFS carry inferior varieties that have been inbred or kept in very poor conditions so they have a reputation for being very fragile fish. People who don't know to look for larger, healthier strains try them, see that they die quickly, and give up on them.
You might try ordering guppies from Angels Plus (http://www.angelsplus.com/cgi-bin/cart.pl?db=angelsplus.dat&search=InStockNow) if you aren't sure of the ones in your area. They have a good reputation for strong bred, healthy fish, though you will pay more for them.
I have 5 tanks of them. 2 20 gal and 3 10 gal. I also had a hard time getting started. All the ones I got from the lfs(3 different stores) all died from fin rot or some other cause. I was luckey enough to get some fry before the deaths. Now everything is going great. I have huge females. Im now starting to work on a color trait. Red and black. I will be adding a few more tanks as things progress.I still think guppies are the most entertaining fish I have. Tim
Yes, I have had bad luck finding good guppies. All of mine have died quickly so I switched to the loveable platy.
JazzyB
12-06-2003, 1:24 PM
I prefer platys over guppies too, especially the solid orange colored ones.:cool:
PumaWard
12-06-2003, 1:53 PM
I prefer to buy a male and two females for my tanks and breed them as quickly as I can. Therefore, I have more control over the health of their babies and my future guppies. This gives me a chance to get hardy guppies without spending a fortune on healthy ones from a breeder.
Rometiklan
12-06-2003, 2:49 PM
I agree with PumaWard. I am a huge fan of fancy guppy strains. I prefer to obtain a male and 3 females from excellent breeding stock and I raise the fry to sellable size. There is still a huge market for guppies. You'd be surprised how popular fancy guppies are.
Captain Hook
12-06-2003, 4:16 PM
I'm with TKOS and Jazzy, I prefer platies.
Aquarius0015
12-06-2003, 4:38 PM
Are there blue colored platies that do NOT have the Mickey Mouse ears pattern on their tails? All that I have seen at the LFS have these. Sunsets are pretty, too. I would never buy a guppy, because I have heard that bettas mistake guppy finnage for betta finnage and attack them mercilessly. Yikes.
JazzyB
12-06-2003, 5:21 PM
I had a very light colored blue platy when I was in Vienna. My LFS only carries the wagtail or mixed coloration platys. But I think that there is something really beautiful and simple as a solid orange colored platy in a planted tank.
sumoschro
12-06-2003, 6:22 PM
I'm lucky enough to have quite a few reputable LFS's in my area. I love guppies, and I have had many in the past.
For any of you in the portland area or near that, you should try aquariums live (http://www.aquariumslive.com)
Cearbhaill
12-07-2003, 6:49 AM
I've always had it in the back of my mind to have some three quarters black guppies- even found a breeder nearby with gorgeous stock.
The problem for me is that to raise any offspring to even approximate the quality of the breeding stock I'd need large grow out tanks for the adolescents. I just don't have the room necessary for the process.
I'd hate to put such high quality stock into one tank and watch the quality degrade- which it certainly would without close attention to raising the young 'uns properly.