Guppies cannot live with angelfish. Guppies are peaceful community fish, while angelfish are aggressive. Fully-grown angelfish are bigger than guppies and will most likely chase and attack them. Since angelfish display predatorial instincts, guppies will not be safe in their presence.
Having said that, there are a lot of factors that you need to consider before keeping these two fish species together. Let’s take a look at them now.
Factors To Consider While Keeping Guppies And Angelfish In The Same Tank
In the wild, you will find several varieties of fish in the same waterbody.
However, it doesn’t work the same way in a home aquarium.
The limited space will allow fish with aggressive or predatory instincts to attack smaller fish.
Territorial instincts will also be more prominent in the confines of an aquarium.
It can cause stronger fish to bully others, which will create a lot of stress for the smaller fish.
Unless the different fish species in a tank get along with each other, there will be no harmony.
The smaller fish will suffer and be prone to constant stress and illness.
To avoid such complications, choose the right tankmates for the fish you already have.
Here are the different factors to consider when you have guppies as pets.
Traits Of Guppies
Guppies are generally docile fish that do not trouble other fish.
They are incredibly easy to take care of as they can adapt to most environments.
Guppies also eat almost anything and flourish with minimum attention.
Their beautiful colors and vibrant nature make them a delightful addition to any tank.
Guppies do not attack other fish. They are very friendly. However, guppies are vulnerable to attacks from bigger fish.
Due to their small size, bigger fish can prey on them.
You should keep this factor in mind when choosing suitable tankmates for guppies.
Traits Of Angelfish
Angelfish command attention with their beautiful colors and size. Interestingly, their temperament matches their looks.
These fish are aggressive and do not like to share their space with just anyone.
They are very territorial and even fight among themselves to establish their dominance.
When angelfish share a tank with smaller fish, their predatorial instincts come to the forefront.
They tend to attack and even kill smaller fish.
Due to their aggressive nature, angelfish are best kept with medium or large fish that they cannot bully.
Compatibility Problems Of Guppies And Angelfish
Keeping guppies and angelfish in the same aquarium is not a good idea.
Although they may survive with each other, various complications are bound to arise. Let us find out what they are.
Your Guppies Will Undergo A Lot Of Stress
Peaceful and playful guppies are attractive bait for aggressive angelfish.
Place them together in the same tank, and before long, the angelfish will start chasing your guppies.
The constant threat from the big fish will cause huge stress to your guppies. It can affect their overall health and well-being.
If you keep angelfish and guppies in the same tank, the guppies will most likely confine themselves to a small area.
Without the freedom to explore their surroundings freely, these fish will struggle immensely.
Angelfish Can Eat Your Guppies
The bigger your angelfish becomes, the greater danger for your guppies.
Angelfish can grow up to 6 inches in size, while guppies barely grow to 2 inches.
The angelfish will be attracted to your tiny guppies and may see them as food.
So, there is a chance that the angelfish will devour your guppies.
The condition of guppy fry will be worse.
Even if the tank has a lot of hiding places, the big and hungry angelfish will eventually fish out guppy fry and devour them.
Even young angelfish that haven’t grown to their full size will attack and eat baby guppies, leaving them no chance of survival.
When Can You Keep Guppies With Angelfish?
There is a theory that if you introduce guppies to the tank when the angelfish are young, they may get along.
Here, the idea is that the angelfish will be used to having the guppies around from the beginning.
So, they are less likely to attack the guppies.
However, it is still a risky proposition.
Angelfish are highly unpredictable. So, you cannot expect them to ignore guppies forever.
If their instincts kick in, your guppies will end up as a snack for the angelfish.
Best Tank Mates For Guppies
Guppies are very hardy and low maintenance, making them a favorite for beginners.
So, if you are new to fish keeping, it is a good idea to start with this fish.
As friendly and highly active fish, they will entertain you for hours.
Once you get used to growing guppies, you may like to expand your fish collection to more species.
However, it is important to choose the right companions for guppies, to maintain peace in the community.
Since guppies are small fish, you can mix them in with the following fish that display similar behavior patterns.
- Platies: The platy is another small fish that is easy to care for. Like guppies, they are very colorful and have a good appetite.
- Mollies: Like guppies, mollies are peaceful community fish. They do not grow too big. Their environmental needs are like guppies. So, mollies are perfect companions for the guppies.
- Harlequin Rasboras: These freshwater aquarium fish like to hang out in the same space as guppies. However, there is no animosity between these two species. Just like guppy fish, they liven up the space with their beautiful colors and activity.
- Tetras: This fish gets along very well with adult guppies. Schools of cardinal tetra fish make lovely displays in fish tanks with their striking colors. Tetras may, however, attack guppy fry. To avoid this problem, make sure that there are enough hiding spots in the tank for the small fish.
- Swordtails: These fish get along amazingly well with guppies. They eat almost anything and are just as fertile as guppies. So, it is a good idea to keep fish of the same sex to avoid population explosion in your tank.
Final Takeaway…
Both guppies and angelfish make beautiful pets with their vivid colors and vibrant personalities.
Unfortunately, they are not good companions.
Angelfish, with their aggressive nature and hunting instincts, can harm and injure guppies.
By eating the guppy, they will disrupt the harmonious environment of the tank and be a constant source of stress for guppies.
Since these fish have entirely different personalities, they cannot live in peace together.
You will be better off finding other tank mates for each fish so that your aquarium is a pleasant dwelling place for all its inmates.
