guppies -- several questions

[Ted Shoemaker]

Hello,

Several questions about guppies:

1.
I've been told that it's better to have at least 2 male guppies and
several females. Why? Is this for breeding purposes, or for
generally "happy" fish, or what?

2.
A book says to add a little salt to the guppy's water. Why would I
add salt to a *freshwater* fish's water?

3.
What size tank?

Please respond to the newsgroup and not to my email.

Thank you,

Ted Shoemaker

[Craig Williams]

1) Its manly so the females don't get stressed out by males constantly
trying to breed.
2) A small amount of salt in the water is good because it helps with desease
& adds some of the natural minerals back into the water
3) I usually would recommend 30gal or larger.

"Ted Shoemaker" > wrote in message
om...
> Hello,
>
> Several questions about guppies:
>
> 1.
> I've been told that it's better to have at least 2 male guppies and
> several females. Why? Is this for breeding purposes, or for
> generally "happy" fish, or what?
>
> 2.
> A book says to add a little salt to the guppy's water. Why would I
> add salt to a *freshwater* fish's water?
>
> 3.
> What size tank?
>
> Please respond to the newsgroup and not to my email.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Ted Shoemaker

[Charles]

On 11 Feb 2004 15:55:36 -0800, (Ted Shoemaker)
wrote:

>Hello,
>
>Several questions about guppies:
>
>1.
>I've been told that it's better to have at least 2 male guppies and
>several females. Why? Is this for breeding purposes, or for
>generally "happy" fish, or what?
>
More females than males to dilute the males attention. one or more
males can overwhelm one female. More fish seem to work better.

>2.
>A book says to add a little salt to the guppy's water. Why would I
>add salt to a *freshwater* fish's water?

I don't know for sure. If your water is very pure, very soft, it can
result it too much osmotic tension, water trying to get into the fish,
and cause stress for the fish trying to maintain a proper balanced.
Salt also reduces the effects of nitrite buildup in a new tank.
However, if you don't have either of these conditions, I see no reason
for adding salt.

>
>3.
>What size tank?

bigger is always better. A 10 gallon tank is adequate for starters.
If you get really serious about guppies, no number of tanks is
adequate.
>
>Please respond to the newsgroup and not to my email.
>
>Thank you,
>
>Ted Shoemaker

--

- Charles
-
-does not play well with others

[Charles]

On 11 Feb 2004 15:55:36 -0800, (Ted Shoemaker)
wrote:

>Hello,
>
>Several questions about guppies:
>
>1.
>I've been told that it's better to have at least 2 male guppies and
>several females. Why? Is this for breeding purposes, or for
>generally "happy" fish, or what?
>
>2.
>A book says to add a little salt to the guppy's water. Why would I
>add salt to a *freshwater* fish's water?
>
>3.
>What size tank?
>
>Please respond to the newsgroup and not to my email.
>
>Thank you,
>
>Ted Shoemaker


Check here for some good info:

http://www.pbln.com/guppyinfo/article1.htm


--

- Charles
-
-does not play well with others

[Claire]

If you don't want to breed them, males will live in groups without femailes.

Claire

"Ted Shoemaker" > wrote in message
om...
> Hello,
>
> Several questions about guppies:
>
> 1.
> I've been told that it's better to have at least 2 male guppies and
> several females. Why? Is this for breeding purposes, or for
> generally "happy" fish, or what?
>
> 2.
> A book says to add a little salt to the guppy's water. Why would I
> add salt to a *freshwater* fish's water?
>
> 3.
> What size tank?
>
> Please respond to the newsgroup and not to my email.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Ted Shoemaker

[Chris Oinonen Ehren]

in article , Ted Shoemaker at
wrote on 2/11/04 5:55 PM:

*snip*
>
> 2.
> A book says to add a little salt to the guppy's water. Why would I
> add salt to a *freshwater* fish's water?
>
There are some folks who consider guppies to be a brackish fish. Guppies
are certainly a tough little fish that can make the transition between
completely fresh and completely salt, given time. And some of those tough
little fish really shine with a little salt in the water.
--
Chris