Guppy fry are small, defenseless fish that are preyed upon by a variety of predators. Some of the most common guppy fry predators include:
* Angelfish * Barbs * Cichlids * Danios * Goldfish * Mollies * Platies * Rainbowfish * Tetras
Guppies are one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish that have colonized water bodies worldwide. But their small size and bright colors make them an easy snack for predatory fish. So what fish eat guppies?
In this article, I’ll discuss the most common guppy predators in the wild and in home aquariums. I’ll also share some tips on how guppies have adapted to avoid getting eaten.
Guppies’ Natural Predators in the Wild
In their native habitats of South America, guppies co-exist with several predatory fish that see them as food The most notorious guppy killers include
Cichlids
Cichlids are found in African and South American waters where guppies live. With their fast-moving and strong jaws, cichlids are proficient hunters that can quickly swallow guppies
Dwarf cichlids like rams and kribs are less aggressive towards guppies. But in areas dominated by cichlids, guppy fry struggle to reach adulthood.
Blue Acaras
Blue acaras belong to the cichlid family. These stocky fish are omnivores that feed on live guppies, minnows, shrimp and brine shrimp.
They cleverly target oblivious guppies while ignoring inquisitive ones inspecting them. Their oval bodies and sharp dorsal fins make them effective hunters.
Jumping Guabine
Native to Trinidad and Tobago, these small but voracious fish consume guppies. Jumping guabines can leap up to 14 cm to grab guppies from shoals above.
Their streamlined, cylindrical bodies allow them to swim rapidly and hunt guppies with ease.
Other Notable Wild Predators
Some other important guppy predators in the wild are:
- Tigerfish
- Fat sleepers
- Rivulus
- Golden trahiras
Common Guppy Predators in Home Aquariums
Putting guppies in an aquarium doesn’t guarantee safety. Several popular aquarium fish will readily devour guppies when given a chance.
Leopard Bush Fish
With their natural hunting instincts, leopard bush fish can quickly gobble up guppies their own size. Their camouflage lets them ambush unsuspecting prey swimming close by.
Goldfish
Large goldfish species such as shubunkins and comets can swallow adult guppies easily. Fast goldfish like ranchus and fantails also pose a major threat.
However, smaller goldfish like black moors may coexist peacefully with guppies.
Clown Knifefish
With their huge toothed mouth and sensing tentacles, clown knifefish are built to hunt. They’ll gladly accept guppies as an addition to their main diet of small fish and invertebrates.
Oscars
Like their cichlid relatives, oscars are aggressive predators that see guppies as tasty snacks. They use bursts of speed to capture guppies despite being lethargic overall.
Other Fry Eaters
Guppy fry are easy pickings for bettas, angelfish, dwarf puffers and gouramis. Sometimes even large guppies may get attacked.
How Guppies Have Adapted to Avoid Predators
Guppies have evolved clever strategies and adaptations to minimize predation, such as:
- Duller body colors to camouflage with surroundings.
- Early maturity and prolific breeding to sustain populations.
- Choosing quantity over quality in mating selection.
- Swimming in shoals for safety in numbers.
Tips to Protect Guppies from Predators
If you want to keep guppies with predatory fish, here are some tips to follow:
- Choose less aggressive tank mates like honey gouramis over angel fish.
- Keep guppies in a species-only tank without predators.
- Provide plenty of plants and decor for hiding and breaking line of sight.
- Use a breeder box to isolate pregnant females and raise fry.
- Introduce tank mates simultaneously as juveniles to reduce aggression.
- Feed predators well before adding guppies so they are not overly eager to hunt.
Guppies require special considerations when selecting tank mates because many popular aquarium fish see them as prey. With proper planning and precautions, guppies can thrive in a community tank. But a species-only setup is the safest option to prevent guppies from becoming expensive feeder fish.
Frequency of Entities:
guppies: 27
fish: 24
predators: 10
fry: 9
cichlids: 5
eat: 5
aquarium: 4
wild: 4
guppy: 3
blue acaras: 2
leopard bush fish: 2
oscar: 2
angelfish: 2
goldfish: 2
shrimp: 2
tetras: 1
fat sleepers: 1
rivulus: 1
golden trahiras: 1
jumping guabine: 1
tigerfish: 1
clown knifefish: 1
bettas: 1
dwarf puffers: 1
gouramis: 1
honey gouramis: 1
breeder box: 1
Common Guppy Fry Predators
Some of the most common predators of guppy fry include:
How to Protect Guppy Fry from Predators
There are a number of ways to protect guppy fry from predators. Some of the most effective methods include:
* Providing a hiding place for the fry. This can be done by adding plants, rocks, or other decorations to the tank. * Keeping the tank well-lit. This will make it more difficult for predators to see the fry. * Adding a water filter to the tank. This will help to remove debris and other food sources that attract predators. * Using a predator-proof net to cover the tank. This will prevent predators from entering the tank.
How to Control Your Guppy Population – 9 suggestions for what to do with too many baby guppies!
What fish eat guppies?
Here’s what I found out about fish that might gobble up my little swimmers, so you can steer clear of them too! The main fish that eat guppies are large, aggressive and carnivorous fish such as angelfish, cichlids, oscars, crayfish, red-tiger sharks, barbs and leopard bush fish. These fish can prey on adult guppies as well as guppy fry.
Can guppies eat goldfish?
Goldfish: Goldfish are popular aquarium fish but they are not compatible with guppies. Goldfish are cold-water fish while guppies are tropical fish. Goldfish also grow much larger than guppies and can eat them as snacks. Goldfish also have a tendency to nip at the fins of other fish out of curiosity or boredom.
Can guppies eat shrimp?
Guppies can eat shrimps like ghost shrimp, red cherry shrimp, and Amano shrimp if the shrimp are small enough to fit into the mouth of your guppies. However, you can prevent this by taking certain precautions. If you want to keep shrimp and guppies together then you should first introduce shrimp in your fish tank.
Do guppies eat vegetables?
Mostly, guppies eat vegetables matters in their diet because this type of food gives an essential protein, which can help to grow fish and nutrition to the body. The wild guppies also feed on the mosquito present in the small water and slow stream river. On the surface of the water, all small size insects can be eaten by guppy fish.