Lesson 7: Your First Week with Guppies

Your First Week: A Day-by-Day Guide

The day you bring your guppies home is exciting! I remember being so nervous and so happy at the same time. Here's what to expect and do during that crucial first week.

Day 1: Bringing Them Home

1. Float the bag — Place the sealed bag from the store in your tank for 15-20 minutes. This lets the water temperature equalize gradually.
2. Slowly mix water — Open the bag and add a small cup of tank water every 5 minutes for about 20-30 minutes. This helps them adjust to your water chemistry.
3. Gently release — Use a net to move the fish into your tank. Try not to add the store water to your tank.
4. Lights off — Turn off the tank light for the rest of the day. Let them explore and settle in without the stress of bright lights.
5. Don't feed yet — They're too stressed to eat. Wait until tomorrow.

Day 2: First Feeding

Offer a tiny amount of food — less than you think they need. Watch them eat. If food is left floating after 2 minutes, you gave too much. It's okay — you'll get a feel for the right amount quickly.

Watch your fish carefully. They might still be shy and hiding. That's completely normal.

Days 3-4: Settling In

By now, your guppies should be more active and exploring the tank. You'll start seeing their personalities emerge — some are bold, some are shy, and some are little troublemakers.

• Feed once or twice daily in tiny amounts
• Watch for any signs of stress (clamped fins, hiding constantly, not eating)
• Test your water! Ammonia might start to rise slightly — this is normal in a newly stocked tank

Days 5-7: Your New Routine

By the end of the first week, you should be settling into a rhythm:

• Daily: Feed 1-2 times, do a quick visual check of all fish, check the temperature
• Test water at least every other day during this early period
• Small water change (10-15%) if ammonia or nitrite reads above 0

What's Normal (Don't Panic!)

• Guppies hiding behind decorations or plants for the first day or two
• Males chasing females (that's just what they do)
• Fish exploring every corner of the tank
• Slight color changes as they settle in — they often get more vibrant once comfortable

What's NOT Normal (Pay Attention)

• A fish sitting on the bottom and not moving for hours
• White spots appearing on the body or fins
• Rapid gill movement or gasping at the surface
• Refusing food after day 3

If you notice these, test your water immediately. Water quality issues are the most common cause of problems in the first week.

What I Wish I'd Known

Your first week will feel like a lot of checking and worrying. That's normal! It gets easier. By week two or three, you'll have a relaxed routine and wonder why you were so anxious.

Next up: Lesson 8 — Common Beginner Mistakes and How to Avoid Them