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what plants pair well with guppies?
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2025 12:46 am
by peachy
I'm setting up a 20 gallon tank for guppies and want to add some live plants. What are the best options that won't get destroyed by them? I've heard they nibble on softer plants.
Re: what plants pair well with guppies?
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2025 2:36 am
by goldfishy
Guppies are pretty chill with most plants, but they do like to peck at softer leaves. Java Fern and Anubias are great because they're tough and can be tied to driftwood or rocks. I've had success with Amazon Swords too, but they need decent lighting.
Re: what plants pair well with guppies?
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2025 2:48 am
by hannaho
My guppies messed with my Hornwort at first, but it grows so fast it doesn't matter. Maybe try that? It's kinda bushy though, so if you want something neater, go with the Java Fern like goldfishy said.
Re: what plants pair well with guppies?
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2025 3:06 am
by larissa
goldfishy wrote: ↑Sat Apr 19, 2025 2:36 am
Guppies are pretty chill with most plants, but they do like to peck at softer leaves. Java Fern and Anubias are great because they're tough and can be tied to driftwood or rocks. I've had success with Amazon Swords too, but they need decent lighting.
Yep, Java Fern is a solid choice. My guppies leave it alone, and it's low-maintenance. Just don't bury the rhizome or it'll rot.
Re: what plants pair well with guppies?
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2025 3:34 am
by sparrow3
Vallisneria is another good option. It grows tall and provides cover for fry. Guppies don't bother it much, and it's hardy in a range of water conditions. Just make sure your substrate isn't too coarse.
Re: what plants pair well with guppies?
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2025 3:53 am
by peachy
Thanks for the suggestions! I'll start with Java Fern and Anubias since they sound foolproof. Do I need to add any fertilizers for these plants?
Re: what plants pair well with guppies?
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2025 5:50 am
by goldfishy
peachy wrote: ↑Sat Apr 19, 2025 3:53 am
Thanks for the suggestions! I'll start with Java Fern and Anubias since they sound foolproof. Do I need to add any fertilizers for these plants?
They'll do fine without ferts, but a liquid fertilizer like Seachem Flourish every couple weeks can help. Just don't overdo it, or you'll get algae.
Re: what plants pair well with guppies?
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2025 7:20 am
by hannaho
My tank's kinda low-tech, and my Java Fern is doing okay without extra ferts. But if you wanna see faster growth, yeah, a little bit helps. Just watch out for algae like goldfishy mentioned.
Re: what plants pair well with guppies?
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2025 9:18 am
by larissa
If you're gonna add ferts, start with half the recommended dose. Some plants can be weird about sudden changes. Also, guppies might nibble on algae wafers if you're not careful, so keep an eye on that.
Re: what plants pair well with guppies?
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2025 9:33 am
by sparrow3
For a 20 gallon, you could also try floating plants like Frogbit. They're great for shading and guppies love the roots. Just thin them out occasionally so they don't block all the light.