Guppies are small, delicate fish that have a large fan base in the aquarium hobby. Guppies are popular for their friendly nature. However, the most important thing is how they look. This blog will tell you everything about the size of a guppy. Let’s begin with how big are guppies.
How Big Do Guppies Get?
Guppy males typically measure 1.5-3.5cm (1.6-1.4in) in length, while their female counterparts measure 3-6cm (1.2-2.4in) in length. The average male’s body weight is 0.07 + 0.1 g and the average female’s is 0.13 + 0.1g. Finally, the mean height is 9mm.
A typical guppy lives only two years. Guppies grow quickly and reach their maximum size.
Breeders have created many strains through selective breeding. These varieties are distinguished by their unique patterns, colours and shapes. Some guppies have larger tails and fins than others.
These factors play an important role in determining the size of a puppy.
This is not the end of the mystery about how large guppies grow. Let’s take a closer look at how big they are at different stages of their lives.
How Big Do Guppy Fry Get?
Guppy fry measure 1/4 inch in size at birth. Soon after birth, guppy fry learn to swim and quickly learn to hide.
Guppies will eat their own babies so you must ensure that they are safe right from the beginning. To create safe spaces for your guppy fry, you can use a divider or a breeding tank.
This acrylic tank divider from Toyuto is my favorite. It’s literally a lifesaver.
How Big Do Juvenile Guppies Get?
One month after their birth, guppy fry enter the juvenile stage. A juvenile guppy can grow up to 3/4 inch.
The female guppies will naturally appear larger than the males.
You will be able tell the difference in colors between a male and a female at this point.
How Big Do Adult Guppies Get?
A guppy adult is approximately 3-6 inches in length for a female. Men are 1.5-3.5 inches.
Guppies reach peak maturity at 6 months. You will need to seperate males and females if you don’t wish them to reproduce.
Guppies experience a drastic drop in fertility at the end of their lives.
Why Have My Guppies Stopped Growing?
Guppies can sometimes not reach their full potential. This could be due to insufficient nutrition, wrong tank size, or even genetics. Sometimes, it’s just rookie mistakes.
It is important to understand the reasons behind stunted growth, and take the necessary steps to stop it.
Inadequate Or Too Much Aquarium Space
Guppies, regardless of their life stage, love to swim all day. This is especially true for those in developmental stages. They’re not getting enough exercise if they don’t swim enough.
Exercise is a key factor in guppy’s size and health.
However, too much tank space can also lead to problems. High water volumes make it more difficult for fry and juvenile guppy to find food. They will spend a lot of energy foraging and swimming for food.
You can channel that energy into growth by providing just the right amount tank space.
Lack Of Water Changes
A faulty water parameter is another reason your guppies won’t grow. Depleted oxygen levels, high temperatures, and high levels of harmful gases can all have serious negative effects on the health of a guppy, ultimately limiting their growth.
Regular water changes are the best way to eliminate toxins and waste.
Lack Of Nutrition
Guppies are omnivores with a wide appetite and enjoy a good meal. Guppies need to eat a balanced diet, which should include both live and dried foods. This will ensure that they grow well. They should consume a healthy amount of calcium, phosphorus, as well as traces of magnesium and sodium.
guppies can absorb calcium, phosphorous through their gills because they live in brackish water. But that will not be enough.
Genetics
The size of a puppy’s guppy is determined by genetics. Depending on which strain is used for selective breeding, the size of a guppy can vary. There is nothing you can do about it.
Genetics can have an impact on more than just size. It also influences unique traits such as colors, shapes, patterns, and even color.
If your puppy is still not at the desired size after reaching the 6-month benchmark, it might be worth talking to the seller.
Guppies with bent spines are one example of a genetic condition that can hinder their development. Here’s a quick guide.
How To Speed Up Guppy’s Growth?
There is no magic way to increase the growth of a fry or guppy. You need to make sure that the fry are fed a healthy diet, provide enough space, maintain proper water levels, and keep them separate.
Many factors contribute collectively to their growth.
Adequate Tank Space
Plenty of tank space allows guppy’s to explore, forage, swim and court. This promotes a happy and healthy lifestyle. This encourages their rapid growth.
Guppies require at least 2 gallons per day, but most end up requiring more. Half a gallon should suffice for a fry.
Overpopulation is a problem in guppy tanks. This is what causes inadequate aquarium space. It’s also a good idea to get rid of any excess plants or showpieces in your tank.
Feed A Balanced Diet
A nutritional deficiency can stunt a puppy’s growth, and cause deformities and diseases by destroying the immune system. Guppy growth is influenced by their diet. It is vital that a puppy’s diet be rich in growth-promoting nutrients such as calcium and nutrients.
Guppy fry should receive at least four meals per day. For accelerated growth, you need to focus on a protein-rich diet, such as live foods like micro worms, baby brine shrimps, and eels.
Ensure Optimum Water Parameters
Guppy fry do well when their water conditions are stable and optimal. You need to make sure everything is in order, from the pH level and temperature to oxygen levels and hardiness.
Guppy fry require to be fed at minimum 4 times per day. This means that the water can quickly get dirty. You will need to do water changes more often. You will find that nitrates or ammonia build up quickly and can cause damage to your growth.
I recommend at least three smaller water changes each week, between 15-20% and 25%.
Appropriate Artificial Light
A dog’s eyes are not only healthy, but also well-nourished by appropriate light. It promotes better food conversion efficiency and stimulates food intake. Guppies and guppy fries both require around 8-10 hours of sunlight each day.
Don’t let the lights get to you. Guppies are diurnal creatures that need to sleep at night.
Exposed to too much light, it can blur the line between day and night. This can cause stress and slow down their growth.
Raise The Fry Separately
Guppies engage in filial cannibalism where they consume their offspring. You’ll quickly have no fry if you raise the fry and the adult guppies together. If the fry are healthy enough to survive, the fear of losing their lives will severely limit their growth.
There could be many reasons why a guppy would eat its own offspring. This could be due to stress, overpopulation or replenishing their fat stores.
Separate Fry By Size
It can be cumbersome to separate fry according to their size, but it is essential. It is important to distinguish fry according to their size and age. The bigger fry will eat all the food, leaving little for the smaller ones. If they don’t have enough food, your fry won’t grow fast.
Larger fry tend to be more active and agile than smaller fry. There’s also a chance that larger fry will cause stress on smaller fry, which can invariably hamper their growth.
Final Words: How Big Do Guppies Get
Guppies grow to be a variable matter, depending on the genetic strain of the puppy and other factors. On average, male guppy are 1.5-3 cm in length, while females are between 3-6 and 3-4 cm.
Average body weight for male and female guppy is 0.07 + 0.1 g.
Guppies are a distinct species that has existed for many millions of years. Their anatomy has changed dramatically over the years. Breeders today produce many strains through selective breeding. This influences their sizes, patterns, colors and shapes.