Visiting the local pet store can be fun, looking at the various pets when considering a new addition to your family. As you gaze at the brightly colored fish, you may wonder about the tiny guppies you’ve seen.
You’re like, “How big do guppies get?”. Unveil the answer today as we explore the truth behind these amazing creatures and what makes them unique. Plus, get tips on keeping them in the home aquarium or pond.
Let’s dive into discovering how big guppies get.
How Big Do Guppies Grow In Size?
Guppies, famously known for their bright and vibrant colors, often have many wondering how big these lovable fish can actually get! The answer may surprise you.
Most guppies will not grow beyond 2 inches in length, though a few specimens have been known to grow up to more than 2 inches. However, as with most pet fish, their size depends mainly on the tank and diet they have been provided with.
Male Guppy Size in Inches
Male guppies size in inches can be highly variable, depending on the habitat, genetics, and environmental conditions. Generally, male guppies tend to be quite small, ranging from one to two inches long, although they have been known to reach up to three inches long.
Male guppies may not attain their maximum size if they experience limited resources or competition with other males or if their habitat is unsuitable for their optimum development. Surprisingly, given their relatively small size, male guppies can sometimes live for 5-6 years.
Female Guppy Size in Inches
Female guppies can reach an impressive size of a few inches long. Various factors such as temperature, diet, genetics, and overall health influence the size of the female guppy. While it is difficult to give a definitive answer for the maximum size reachable, it appears that the female guppies can reach up to four to five inches long.
At maturity, female guppies are bigger than males, and their impressive colors help them forage and escape predation more easily. The female guppies’ size is vital for their survival, allowing them to make the most of their environment.
When Do Guppies Reach Their Maximum Size?
For adult guppies, it’s believed they reach their full size once they’ve completely matured. Typically, this process takes about 8-10 months, depending on the species and sex, but male guppies tend to reach their maximum size much faster than females.
Why Do Guppies Stop Growing?
There are a variety of common reasons why guppies stop growing. Below, we explain each of them.
Genetics
Genetics is one of the common reasons why guppies stop growing. When different guppies are mixed, the genes can be altered, leading to stunted growth. Additionally, if guppies are inbred with siblings or other related fish, genetic flaws can occur, which can cause the guppies to stop growing.
Finally, guppies of different sizes are usually mixed, with larger ones being spawned more frequently than smaller ones, which can also inhibit their growth.
Because genetics has so much to do with guppy growth and size, it’s important to ensure you’re only purchasing purebred guppies from a reputable seller. This way, you don’t accidentally end up with a guppy that’s not genetically able to reach the size of your expectations. To learn more about choosing the best fishes, visit Fishkeeping Wisdom.
Aquarium Space
Guppies are an active species of fish and need plenty of room to forage for food, explore, and thrive. Without enough space, guppies won’t be able to reach their full adult size and can suffer from stress-related illnesses.
Additionally, overcrowding means more fish competing for food, which can also stunt their growth. All aquarists should ensure they provide enough space for their guppies to grow and thrive, ideally 10 gallons for every one or two guppies. With the proper care and conditions, guppies can reach their full size quickly.
Water Parameters
The water parameters of a guppy’s habitat can determine how quickly it grows. Temperature, pH, and hardness play a large role in affecting the growth of guppies. If the temperature drops too low, guppies will become stressed and more susceptible to diseases. This can lead to stunted growth.
If the pH of the water is too high or too low, the guppy’s digestive system will struggle to absorb the necessary nutrients. If the water hardness is too high, the guppies’ gills can become irritated and inflamed. This can lead to poor health, reduced appetite, and slowed growth.
If any of these parameters exceed the recommended range, providing corrective measures should result in improved guppy growth.
Food
If guppies are not receiving sufficient food, such as protein-rich flakes, pellets, and frozen or live foods, then they may not be able to reach their full projected size. Additionally, if the guppies are being overfed, they may become sluggish or gain too much weight, resulting in stunted growth.
How to Speed Up the Growth Rate of Guppies
To speed up the growth rate of guppies, focus on providing them with the best diet and optimal water conditions. Provide good quality, high-protein feed, and ensure the water is well-aerated with a temperature range of 70-82 °F.
Regular water changes are also crucial in preventing any build-up of toxins and chemicals in the enclosed tank environment. Additionally, reducing overcrowding is a surefire way to increase guppies’ growth rate.
How to Breed Guppies for Size?
The key to breeding guppies for size lies in selecting the right parents. Look for fish that are large and with strong fins, as well as those with bright colors. Be sure to separate the males and females when introducing them to the tank, as this will help increase the size of the guppies over time.
Finally, perform regular maintenance and feed your guppies with a high-quality diet containing all the required nutrients. With patience and care, you should soon have your assorted school of large, colorful guppies.
Answering The Question: How Big Do Guppies Get
So, how big do guppies get? Guppies vary greatly in size, most growing no larger than two inches long while the large ones reach up to five inches. These vibrant fish have a surprisingly wide variety of colors and a unique lifespan to boot.
To learn more about these effortless fish to care for, try any research to get better acquainted with them.
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