|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 10:00 pm
And my parents actually said yes. I thought it'd be harder. The last time I had a fish when I was younger.... well I had no idea how to care for it. So I'm going to do a bit of research. This time though, she wants it in the lounge room we're everyone can see it. And I have to pay for everything which i'm ok with. A family friend had a tank (I think maybe 10 gallon? I'm really no good on tank sizes...) with a filter. Her fish died a while ago. She said I could have it. Now a few months later I want some fish and hopefully she'll still give it to me. If not I'll just have to buy one like everybody else.
Anyway here's some questions that probably sound a bit stupid to people who have owned them:
1. Can a group of the same sex live together. I'd like to just get males because I don't really want to deal with fry...
2. Do I actually need a heater? My mum said we're not getting one because they don't have them in the wild and all that. And do they need it all the time? I might have more luck if I say it's just for the cooler months, but in the warmer months it's about the right temp. for guppies.
3. How many should I get?
4. What's their life span? Some sites say 1 year, others say up to 5 years.
I'm planning on getting them in december, after I'm back from my holiday. Or maybe next year since in december I'll probably spend all my money on christmas presents...
And any other advice? Even the obvious stuff. You're dealing with a very non fish smart person here.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 12:11 pm
All males is fine. They don't usually get aggressive unless there are females. A heater would be a VERY good idea, especially since it's a 10g and the temperature can change rather quickly, so you should try to get one. Tell your mom that guppies live in warm waters in the wild, and they also have much more space to swim around in. 10 gallons of water without a heater won't have a very stable temperature and that can cause the fish to get very stressed.
If it's a 10g, I'd get about 5. In the end, that is. AFTER you're done cycling.
Their life span really depends. Most small tropical fish don't live much longer than a few years, so I'd estimate about 3 years. Depends on the care they get, too.
Other advice? Hmm. Make sure the tank is cycled (with fish or fishless... Guppies can either be really hardy or really sensitive, so I'd suggest fishless, which is always the best way to go.) and when you buy food, buy a small container. The nutritional value decreases over time so its best to buy small containers every few months rather than a large container for a year. Get some snails/ghost shrimp also. It might cost a bit more money but if you can, get live plants.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 5:27 pm
heaters aren't on all the time.. otherwise people would use more room heaters...
they "sense" the lessened temperature THEN turn on, and turn back off when the preset temperature is reached again... so there isn't much power loss in there, and many hang on ones(non submersible) are very cheap, good luck... remember to post a pick if you get them smile
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 9:30 am
Yay for Guppies! They really one of the greatest fish out there, and super easy to care for.
A group of same-sex Guppies will fine. Some say that their males fought and ripped each other up. I have kept all males in a 3 gallon (With daily water changes) for a few months and they were fine. All females would be ok too, but remember that they can store sperm for upto 6 months after just one mating, so even if they dont look pregnent from the store, they still could be.
I have kept my Guppies with and with out a heater. I started off with an unheated ten gallon, but the room was warm and it got a good amount of indirect sunlight that kept it at a good temp. Then I got a 20 long and moved to a cooler room, and got a heater rated for upto 30 gallons and it does a good job at keeping the temp up. Guppies are fine either way, as long as the room is kept a good temp.
For a 10 gallon, I would say MAX, around 7, and thats only if you want to do good sized water changes every week, or several smaller ones a few times a week. 3-5 would be a better number.
I have heard from 1 1/2 years to a few years, for their life span. To get the most out of your fish, feed them a high quality food, a variety of foods, and keep their tank clean.
For other advice, Guppies are VEEEERY hyper. Keep a nice open space along the font of the tank so they have lots of room to move. They like to explore, so some sort of cave or something with lots of openings and some plants they can swim through will keep them occupied. What ever you get, make sure there is nothing sharp or too small for them to fit through, because Guppies are really stupid, and their fins rip easily. Also, I find that my Guppies loooove Brine Shrimp, and sinking Algea Waffers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 9:50 pm
are you planning on getting fancies or feeders?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 3:22 am
Thanks guys. I didn't realize that about the heater. I'll talk to my mum about it because I don't think she realises it either. After trying to figure it out, I think the tank is less then 10 gal, but more the 5 gal. Maybe I should just ask the owner when I get a chance sweatdrop But looks like it might be in the middle or more. I was thinking of getting 3. Again, thanks for the info!
edit: umm I'm not sure wether I'm getting fancies or feeders.... I need to do more research...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 3:09 pm
DeeSpark Thanks guys. I didn't realize that about the heater. I'll talk to my mum about it because I don't think she realises it either. After trying to figure it out, I think the tank is less then 10 gal, but more the 5 gal. Maybe I should just ask the owner when I get a chance sweatdrop But looks like it might be in the middle or more. I was thinking of getting 3. Again, thanks for the info! edit: umm I'm not sure wether I'm getting fancies or feeders.... I need to do more research... I'm pretty sure the only differences are the fin size, body size, and colors. Feeders are smaller then Fancies and have have smaller fins. And they are a pale tan color with pastel markings. I could be wrong, but I thinks those are the only diffences.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 3:43 pm
Pretty much, fancies are the pretty ones and feeders are the ugly ones razz
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 5:29 pm
Jeddi-kun Pretty much, fancies are the pretty ones and feeders are the ugly ones razz *gasp* feeders arent ugly. they are very pretty but arent as flashy as the fancies. i prefer how feeders look, males have beautiful spots after they mature and have all sorts of colors. when i was breeding feeders i had alot of fun doing selective breeding so i got boys with alot of spots after a few generations. feeders tend to be a little tougher while fancies are a little more delicate but other than that the only different is color and fin size like akari said
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 5:08 pm
Shanna66 Jeddi-kun Pretty much, fancies are the pretty ones and feeders are the ugly ones razz *gasp* feeders arent ugly. they are very pretty but arent as flashy as the fancies. i prefer how feeders look, males have beautiful spots after they mature and have all sorts of colors. when i was breeding feeders i had alot of fun doing selective breeding so i got boys with alot of spots after a few generations. feeders tend to be a little tougher while fancies are a little more delicate but other than that the only different is color and fin size like akari said Feeders are cute! And cheap blaugh If your tank is less then ten gallons, I would get Feeders, since they are smaller 3nodding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
red lavender nightfall Crew
|
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 11:27 pm
DeeSpark And my parents actually said yes. I thought it'd be harder. The last time I had a fish when I was younger.... well I had no idea how to care for it. So I'm going to do a bit of research. This time though, she wants it in the lounge room we're everyone can see it. And I have to pay for everything which i'm ok with. A family friend had a tank (I think maybe 10 gallon? I'm really no good on tank sizes...) with a filter. Her fish died a while ago. She said I could have it. Now a few months later I want some fish and hopefully she'll still give it to me. If not I'll just have to buy one like everybody else. Anyway here's some questions that probably sound a bit stupid to people who have owned them: 1. Can a group of the same sex live together. I'd like to just get males because I don't really want to deal with fry... 2. Do I actually need a heater? My mum said we're not getting one because they don't have them in the wild and all that. And do they need it all the time? I might have more luck if I say it's just for the cooler months, but in the warmer months it's about the right temp. for guppies. 3. How many should I get? 4. What's their life span? Some sites say 1 year, others say up to 5 years. I'm planning on getting them in december, after I'm back from my holiday. Or maybe next year since in december I'll probably spend all my money on christmas presents... And any other advice? Even the obvious stuff. You're dealing with a very non fish smart person here. don't get your hopes up, my first fish after my 6 year old betta died were guppies, didn't last a week. crying the rest for the next 2 years did a bit better though. sweatdrop 1 yes a group of one sex cam live together, it may actually be better than mixed. 2 no not really, they can survive well without one, although it is better for their health. 3 get at least 2, they are better with more if you want a bright colourful tank, they are also very social fish 4 it depends how old they are when bought and how healthy they are.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
