Difference between revisions of "Feed Guppies"
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| − | + | Guppies are active and often colorful, making them popular aquarium pets. Feeding them is an uncomplicated task, but it's good to learn about your guppies' needs to avoid overfeeding. Guppy young require a special diet, although one easily available at a fish store, and even adults will be healthier if you supplement their fish flakes with more nutritious food. | |
[[Category:Guppies]] | [[Category:Guppies]] | ||
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#*Tubes of waste dangling behind the fish are a sign of a blocked intestine from overeating.<ref name="rf2" /> | #*Tubes of waste dangling behind the fish are a sign of a blocked intestine from overeating.<ref name="rf2" /> | ||
#*Adult male guppies develop a "potbelly" or bulging chest if they have too much fat in their diet. Reduce the amount of food and replace fatty treats such as blood worms or beef heart with crumbs of fat-free ham. | #*Adult male guppies develop a "potbelly" or bulging chest if they have too much fat in their diet. Reduce the amount of food and replace fatty treats such as blood worms or beef heart with crumbs of fat-free ham. | ||
| − | #*If your tank water gets cloudy and dirty frequently, excess food or waste may be the cause. As a general rule, you should [[Do | + | #*If your tank water gets cloudy and dirty frequently, excess food or waste may be the cause. As a general rule, you should [[Do a Water Change in a Freshwater Aquarium|change 20–30% of the water]] in your tank about once every 1–2 weeks, or more frequently for crowded tanks. |
#[[Keep-a-Fish-from-Dying-While-You-Are-on-Holiday|Consider feeding methods for vacations longer than one week]]. Healthy, adult guppies can last a week without food before experiencing any lasting effects, so if you are only going to be gone a few days, consider simply not feeding them. For a longer trip, one of the following methods is recommended:<ref name="rf5">http://www.fishchannel.com/freshwater-aquariums/aquarium-care/taking-a-vacation.aspx</ref> | #[[Keep-a-Fish-from-Dying-While-You-Are-on-Holiday|Consider feeding methods for vacations longer than one week]]. Healthy, adult guppies can last a week without food before experiencing any lasting effects, so if you are only going to be gone a few days, consider simply not feeding them. For a longer trip, one of the following methods is recommended:<ref name="rf5">http://www.fishchannel.com/freshwater-aquariums/aquarium-care/taking-a-vacation.aspx</ref> | ||
#*Use an automatic feed dispenser to dispense food at regular intervals. Make sure you supply enough food for the whole time you'll be away, and set the dispenser to release food once or twice a day. | #*Use an automatic feed dispenser to dispense food at regular intervals. Make sure you supply enough food for the whole time you'll be away, and set the dispenser to release food once or twice a day. | ||
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===Caring for and Feeding Young Guppies=== | ===Caring for and Feeding Young Guppies=== | ||
| − | #Prepare a separate breeding tank. Young guppies, also known as "fry", require special feeding separate from the adults, and should be separated for their safety as well.<ref name="rf6">http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=1294</ref> [[Set-up-a-Freshwater-Aquarium|Prepare a 5 gallon (20 L) tank]] with care, making sure it has everything necessary for the guppies' survival. As with any aquarium, [[Do | + | #Prepare a separate breeding tank. Young guppies, also known as "fry", require special feeding separate from the adults, and should be separated for their safety as well.<ref name="rf6">http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=1294</ref> [[Set-up-a-Freshwater-Aquarium|Prepare a 5 gallon (20 L) tank]] with care, making sure it has everything necessary for the guppies' survival. As with any aquarium, [[Do a Fishless Cycle|running a fishless cycle]] is an excellent way to prepare the tank before you introduce any fish. |
#Divide your breeding tank into two sections using a breeding net. Purchase a breeding net or mesh from a fish store that divides the tank into two sections. The newly hatched guppies will be able to swim through the holes of the net and escape the mother fish, which may try to eat them. | #Divide your breeding tank into two sections using a breeding net. Purchase a breeding net or mesh from a fish store that divides the tank into two sections. The newly hatched guppies will be able to swim through the holes of the net and escape the mother fish, which may try to eat them. | ||
#*If you don't want to purchase a net or are not sure if the net you have has the right sized holes, you may protect the fry by planting several aquarium plants for them to hide in. | #*If you don't want to purchase a net or are not sure if the net you have has the right sized holes, you may protect the fry by planting several aquarium plants for them to hide in. | ||
