Guppies are one of the most popular aquarium fish in the world, thanks to their vibrant appearance and easygoing nature. Their reasonably hardy nature means they can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and pH levels, while their friendly nature means they can be paired up with various other fish.
Still, picking the perfect companion for your guppies can be a challenge, so we’ve rounded up seven of the best to provide some starting inspiration. Here are some keys characteristics to consider before you begin.
Do Guppies Make Good Tank Mates?
Guppies are generally considered easygoing and community friendly, which means they will get along with many other fish species. Still, they can be mischievous little animals sometimes and will often engage in fin-nipping if other fish swim too closely. A fully grown adult is only about two inches long, and it will prefer the company of similarly sized fish so that it doesn’t feel too intimidated.
Their adaptability means they can tolerate a range of temperatures (50-84 degrees Fahrenheit) and pH levels (6.8-7.8 is best), making them the ideal companion for other species, such as the following.
Suckermouth Catfish
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Calm & friendly
Ideal Temperature: 74-80 degrees Fahrenheit
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
The suckermouth catfish may be one of the best companions to a guppy tank thanks to their peaceful nature and tendency to keep to themselves at the bottom of your fish tank. Combining these two fish species creates a harmonic environment, while the catfish help to keep the tank clean.
The only drawback of adding a catfish to your tank is that they could outgrow the guppies and need to be rehoused in a separate tank. Still, their calm personalities mean they are far more likely to relax at the bottom of your tank, leaving the smaller guppies to do their thing higher up.
Mollies
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Calm & friendly
Ideal Temperature: 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit
Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons (minimum size for two fish – larger tanks are recommended for more fish)
These peaceful fish make great tank mates for guppies thanks to their easygoing demeanor and lack of aggression. They are popular amongst aquarium owners for many of the same reasons as guppies. They are small and vibrant fish that add color and personality to your tank while asking for little in return.
Mollies are reasonably hardy fish who tolerate basic water with a pH of between 7.5 and 8.5, and their flexible diet makes them easy to care for.
Zebra Danio
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful and energetic
Ideal Temperature: 64-75 degrees Fahrenheit
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Stripy Zebra Danios have a similar size and temperament to guppies, making them ideal tank mates. But, just like guppies, they are energetic and curious fish that will provide lots of entertainment in your tank. Zebra Danios are the perfect choice for you if you want a vibrant and lively environment. Still, if you prefer a more peaceful environment, pick a calmer companion to house alongside your guppies.
Cory Catfish
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful and friendly
Ideal Temperature: 72-82 degrees Fahrenheit
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Cory catfish range in size and color, meaning you can pick the perfect fit for your aquarium. Their calm, friendly demeanor makes them the ideal guppy companion, while their versatility means they are popular aquarium fish (even for beginners).
Like Suckermouth catfish, these bottom dwellers are great for keeping your tank clean. But delicate fins are much better suited to sand substrate rather than gravel. Still, their scavenging behavior can expel algae into the tank. So, if you want your tank spotless, you could add other scavengers, such as snails. Luckily, Cory catfish get along with pretty much any freshwater species, making them an ideal feature of your aquarium.
Harlequin Rasbora
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Shy and quiet
Ideal Temperature: 72-81 degrees Fahrenheit
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Harlequin Rasboras are small and amiable and possess striking markings that make them an eye-catching feature of your aquarium. And their hardy nature means they can tolerate a range of conditions.
As they are more likely to be the victim of aggression than the perpetrator, providing plenty of nooks and plants where these tiny fish can hide is essential. In addition, they like to be housed in groups of at least 8-10 with ample swimming space.
Nerite Snail
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful and solitary
Ideal Temperature: 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
The gentle nerite snail grows to only one inch long and keeps to itself at the bottom of the tank. Their preferred water conditions are an excellent match for guppies, though there is an acceptable margin of comfortable pH for the pair. Nerite snails like a pH of 8.1-8.4, which is at the higher end of the alkaline preference for guppies.
Still, these snails make great companions as they keep algae in check, creating a clean aquarium environment.
Siamese Algae Eater
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Calm & friendly
Ideal Temperature: 75-79 degrees Fahrenheit
Minimum Tank Size: 25-30 gallons
The Siamese algae eater can grow to lengths of six inches, meaning they will outgrow your guppies. But their calm temperament means the two can still be housed together in a perfectly healthy aquarium, while the peaceful algae eaters will leave your guppies alone to do their own thing.
These fish also make great companions because they thrive in similar conditions to guppies and are easy to care for. As the name suggests, they feed on algae (and anything else you put in the tank – they’re not fussy); they will even eat bear algae, which is notoriously difficult to remove.
