Sunday, August 2, 2009

Are platies and guppies safe to kepp together? (1male platy,1 female platy, 1 male guppy, 1 female guppy)?OK?

Is this ok? They are in a 2.5 minibow with a filter, and I know its a little bit tight, but i've heard since they are smaller, it should be fine, and I will change water a little more often. Will any of them fight. Also, will the platies eventuallly reproduce, and will the guppiees reproduce even though the type of fish are mixed? Also, is the tank to small for reproduction, or will they try anyways? And the platies wont nip at the guppies tails right??
Answers:
Platies and guppies usually get along just fine. However, 2.5 gallons is a very small tank for four good sized fish. You might get away with it if you feed sparingly and do water changes 2-3 times per week. They will certainly try to breed but in such tight quarters I doubt the babies will be able to hide well and will probably all get eaten. Not to mention the fact that your tank is overcrowded with the parents alone! I recommend you upgrade to at least a ten gallon tank. Keep the 2.5 gallon as a hospital/quarantine tank.

Testing the water is always a good idea. I recommend at least testing pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. The price varies. Expect to spend about $20 for a semi-decent kit. Though higher quality kits (that are probably a little more accurate) are around $50.
You are right about one thing that's a small tank. Rule for fish 1 gallon per 1 inch of fish. Since both breeds can get up to 2 inches that's 8 gallons for four fish. And another rule for fish you usually want 2 females per 1 male in tank. Since the tank is small I don't know how the platies will react to the guppies, generally they are excellent fish together in an ideal tank (bigger than 2.5 gallons). For producing they might try but I can't guarantee anything because again that is a small tank. If you want healthier fish you should get a bigger tank like a 10 gallon if you just want those four fish.
It is fine to keep them together. Guppies are livebearers so you'll see little moving eyes if they have babies. They'll reproduce if the water is right. Don't waste your money on a water testing kit for a tank that small. Just do weekly water changes of about 10-25% and you should be fine.
YES
yes it's ok..
they re peaceful
Keep a pair of guppies in a tank that small, not the platys. The stress of being in such a small container will both kill them and cause them to kill each other.
A
be careful keeping guppies and platys together as they are similar breeds of fish you might end up with hybridisation, hopefully with such a small tank that wont happen
1 inch of fish per gallon of tank.

I would have no more than 2-1/2" total fish length in a 2-1/2 gallon tank.

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