Breeding feeder guppies in 10 gallon?

[Han]

I have a simple 10 gallon freshwater tank setup that I use for keeping feeder shrimp to be fed to my predatory fish. Since breeding the shrimp is so difficult and buying them gets pricey after a while, I’m interested in breeding guppies for food. Would a 10 gallon tank be sufficient? I’d be willing to add some low maintenance plants to give the fry shelter or use a breeder box if necessary. I’ve been thinking about 1 pair of guppies, is this tank big enough for them to breed and provide a decent amount of feeders? I don’t intend for this to be a main source of food, I only feed live a couple times a month to supplement frozen food.

 

[James M]

ecexotics
Any advice ?

 

[Rjmul]

It'll work. Lots of plants.

OR if you're weird like me you can turn the tank brackish and breed them in there. One half cup salt to 5 gallons TAP water. I like using tap in my brackish tank just because I can get away with it.

If you go brackish you have almost zero chance of growing plants. Contrary to what the internet says, I've had zero success at it.

 

[Han]

Not sure if I’d want to go brackish, the main reason I prefer feeding freshwater feeders is to avoid the transmission of parasites/disease. You think one pair of guppies would be enough or could I get away with 2 pairs? Don’t want to overcrowd it but more babies would be nice.

 

[Rjmul]

Not sure if I’d want to go brackish, the main reason I prefer feeding freshwater feeders is to avoid the transmission of parasites/disease. You think one pair of guppies would be enough or could I get away with 2 pairs? Don’t want to overcrowd it but more babies would be nice.

I would start with two females and a male. Or three and five. The important part is having more females then you do males. Honestly, unless you go absolutely bananas I wouldn't worry about over crowding guppies. Especially if it's planted. I don't even water change planted tanks

 

[Rjmul]

Not sure if I’d want to go brackish, the main reason I prefer feeding freshwater feeders is to avoid the transmission of parasites/disease. You think one pair of guppies would be enough or could I get away with 2 pairs? Don’t want to overcrowd it but more babies would be nice.

For what it's worth I run a 20 long brackish with three guppies. About 5 or 6 mollies. About ten bumble bee gobies and a figure eight puffer. Nitrates read ten the only time I ever tested anything. Aquaclear running a sponge and marine pure...

 

[Han]

Cool, I’ll start with 2 females and a male then. Don’t have any experience with breeding fish and haven’t done freshwater in a long time but it doesn’t sound too bad. Thanks for the input

 

[Rjmul]

Cool, I’ll start with 2 females and a male then. Don’t have any experience with breeding fish and haven’t done freshwater in a long time but it doesn’t sound too bad. Thanks for the input

Lots of plants. You'll be fine. It's fun

 

[Han]

Thanks

 

[GK3]

I have a simple 10 gallon freshwater tank setup that I use for keeping feeder shrimp to be fed to my predatory fish. Since breeding the shrimp is so difficult and buying them gets pricey after a while, I’m interested in breeding guppies for food. Would a 10 gallon tank be sufficient? I’d be willing to add some low maintenance plants to give the fry shelter or use a breeder box if necessary. I’ve been thinking about 1 pair of guppies, is this tank big enough for them to breed and provide a decent amount of feeders? I don’t intend for this to be a main source of food, I only feed live a couple times a month to supplement frozen food.

I have a 3 gallon with a heater and a small filter pump. I added a few guppies and they breed all the time. The only issue I have is the rate of breeding vs. the rate of growth doesn’t correlate enough to where they don’t get big enough fast enough to be a consistent source. I’d think a 10 gallon would be better. I also only have 6 small betta moss balls in mine and I find that’s plenty of cover. I wish I could find a saltwater fish that’s as easy to breed. I agree, the shrimp are a pain.

 

[GK3]

Cool, I’ll start with 2 females and a male then. Don’t have any experience with breeding fish and haven’t done freshwater in a long time but it doesn’t sound too bad. Thanks for the input

I also never change the water, test it, anything. As long as they are swimming and eat when I feed I assume they are good. They still breed.

 

[Han]

I also never change the water, test it, anything. As long as they are swimming and eat when I feed I assume they are good. They still breed.

Then it sounds like I should have no problem with the 10 gallon. Is there a particular species of guppy that’s better suited to being a food source? Like I said I only feed live to supplement frozen so I don’t really need too many fish, only feeding a ribbon eel, angler and small grouper.

 

[GK3]

Then it sounds like I should have no problem with the 10 gallon. Is there a particular species of guppy that’s better suited to being a food source? Like I said I only feed live to supplement frozen so I don’t really need too many fish, only feeding a ribbon eel, angler and small grouper.

I’m feeding an angler. I feed all the feeder fish cobalt saltwater flakes. As long you gut load the right stuff ahead of time, I think you are good with any kind. The plain type are what I am breeding, no fancy kind with the colorful tales. I pretty much make sure there is enough fish to fill up my angler but enough gut loading to make sure he is healthy.

 

[Han]

Great, now I just have to wait until my lfs reopens or liveaquaria gets guppies in stock lol. As for plants I’ll probably try the moss balls and hornwort and see how that goes.

 

[GK3]

Great, now I just have to wait until my lfs reopens or liveaquaria gets guppies in stock lol. As for plants I’ll probably try the moss balls and hornwort and see how that goes.

Post your results, you may motivate me to bump up my breeding game. I’ve thought about adding plants and making it more of a display system.

 

[GK3]

Oh I also have no substrate in the bottom. Makes it easier to clean and catch the fish.

 

[Han]

Post your results, you may motivate me to bump up my breeding game. I’ve thought about adding plants and making it more of a display system.

I will, hopefully this tank will end up looking decent, I’ve always liked planted tanks.

 

[homer1475]

Not to tick on the thread, but a small question.

I was always led to believe that feeding saltwater fish freshwater feeders was not good long term?

 

[Han]

Not to **** on the thread, but a small question.

I was always led to believe that feeding saltwater fish freshwater feeders was not good long term?

From my understanding that mainly applies to fish like goldfish which contain a large amount of thiaminase leading to a thiamin deficiency in fish that eat a lot of them.. Livebearers like mollies and guppies are supposed to be more nutritious and contain less thiaminase, and don’t have a risk of containing saltwater diseases/parasites. Mollies and guppies also can live in saltwater which may have something to do with it as well, I’m not sure.

 

[Skydvr]

I came across a paper that was looking at fresh water fish as feeds for marine species. It looks like I didn't save the link and didn't find it with a quick search. I recall it showing that guppies were a suitable primary feed, especially if fed a diet to boost HUFA. Gutloading is probably easier and more cost effective. For periodic or supplemental feeding, I don't see why gutloading would be required.

You could get away with far more than one male and two females and their offspring in a 10, especially if heavily panted and feeding somewhat often. I'd probably look at going with three or four females and one male. The 1:2 ratio is more of a minimum to prevent the male from harassing a single female too much.

Pet stores around here have been considered an essential business, though most are doing curbside pickup only. We also didn't get put on lock-down like other states have and our death rates show that.