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Got a lot of Fancy Guppies (what to do)???

1331 Views 9 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  Guzas
Hello all,

Shortly I will be breaking down my 29 gal tank with almost 50 or so fancy guppies and their babies... They have been breeding with no special maintenance or care for about 4 years. Yeah it was awesome to have an endless supply of these beautiful fish in my tank but I am going to try my hand at a Low Light, Low tech, no Co2 planted tank.

I have a small 5 gallon tank which I intend on temporarily housing these fish while I break down the current tank and replace with a new 29 gallon planted tank.

My question is 2 fold.

1. I will be hosing these guppies in a much smaller tank while I get the new tank planted, cycled and ready to go.. This may be almost a month before it is ready. So do you see any specific issues with having all of them in such a small tank? I will have it filtered quite well and plenty aerated. But don't want to have the fish suffer too much stress... I already have the hang on back filter running on the current tank to get the beneficial bacteria set up so when the transfer is done the temp tank will not have cycling issues.

2. When my planted tank is ready will I have an problem with overpopulation if the guppies continue to breed in the tank? I started with 4 and now have more than 50 of various ages and genders.. I'd hate it if the sheer eventual volume of these fish would give me problems. I don't intend on filling the new tank right away with all the fish. Just a few at a time as not to shock the new ecosystem..

So... am I doing myself a disservice trying to keep these guys and gals? should I consider giving them away to a Local Fish Store and start fresh when I am ready? They are all healthy and have no sign of disease..

I would like to keep them but the time has come to upgrade.

Any suggestions? Any tips?
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I would do that differently:

- scape / plant the new tank
- move the old filter to the new tank
- move the guppies to the new tank the same day

If you want to slow down the population explosion:

- do offer some to LFS: mine likes giving one or two free to kids
- post on local forum / Craig's List
- get an odd ball predator to eat the fry

v3
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I'm guessing the reason for the holding tank is also that the new tank is going in the same location as the current tank?
I'm guessing the reason for the holding tank is also that the new tank is going in the same location as the current tank?
Yes that is correct... It is going to replace the old one in its current location.

After mulling it over a bit I think I will attempt to drain the old 29 gallon to about 1/4 full. Save the water in buckets. Move the tank to an alternate location, refill the water and just have the old 29 on the floor for as long as I need with all the fish in it. That way I can be assured there will not be overcrowding of the smaller 5 gal tank...

Then I can take my time with the planted tank.. and when it is all set I can transfer fish a little at a time to the new tank... My wife won't be happy about having 2 tanks set up.. But it's only for a short while....
I would do that differently:

- scape / plant the new tank
- move the old filter to the new tank
- move the guppies to the new tank the same day

If you want to slow down the population explosion:

- do offer some to LFS: mine likes giving one or two free to kids
- post on local forum / Craig's List
- get an odd ball predator to eat the fry

v3

OVT.

Thanks for the reply... I am not sure about transferring the fish right away to the new tank... Would that shock them or stress them due to the new conditions and or not having the planted tank cycled already?

As you can see from my previous reply I think I will do it a little differently... Use the old 29 as the temp tank, move it, and transfer the guppies to the new tank when it's ready...

Having said that would having that many guppies in a planted tank that keep on reproducing be an issue or will the tank limit the population by itself ( ecology and all that ) I will probably have to give some up or try to swap or sell some on the forum.. But it would be treat to give them all a new home... Although 50 or so guppies are just too much..... At least I think it is...
if you use the old filter that is already established you wont have to worry about cycling the tank.
Man, I thought my 30gal tank was over-stocked.

9 Scissortail Rasboras
6 Guppies
5 Cardinal Tetras
4 Ottos
2 Flying Fox
1 Cory

I am transferring my Guppies to a 10 gal to try not to be overstocked.
Don't bother moving too much water... It has very little of your biological filtration in it.
I think you ought to pick a few of your favorites and give the rest away. That'll mean that they can breed for a while without overcrowding...
Well I got all the fish in the new tank. So far they are all happy. I don't really know how many guppies I have I'm there.. But I'm sure it's more than 30 or so....

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