The questions I had (and still get).
Hey — I’m Christine. I keep guppies at home, and this site is the stuff I wish someone had handed me when I started. I’m a hobbyist a few steps ahead, not a vet or a lab. If something looks seriously wrong with your fish, talk to an aquatic vet or a trusted local shop.
Are guppies good for beginners?
Getting startedYes — that’s why I started with them. They’re hardy, colorful, and forgiving of the early mistakes almost everyone makes. “Hardy” doesn’t mean indestructible, though. They still need clean water, steady warmth, and sensible feeding.
Where should I start on this site?
Getting startedIf you’re brand new, open Learn and take the Complete Beginners Guide. After that, Tank Setup 101 is the next most useful course. The blog is the same lessons in a searchable list — no dates to sort through.
How big a tank do I need?
Getting startedBigger is kinder than smaller. A small “desktop” bowl looks cute and turns into stress fast. For a small group of guppies, think in terms of a real aquarium with a filter and heater, not a vase. The Tank Setup course walks through size and placement without the scare tactics.
How many guppies should I get first?
Getting startedStart with a small group so they’re social, and think about male-to-female ratios early — males can harass females if the balance is off. The beginners course covers picking healthy fish and ratios before you buy.
Do I really need to cycle the tank?
Water, gear, and daily careYes. It’s the unsexy part nobody wants to wait for, and it’s the difference between a calm first month and a panic. I explain the simple version in the nitrogen-cycle lesson — you don’t need a chemistry degree.
Filter? Heater? What actually matters?
Water, gear, and daily careA filter and a heater matter more than fancy gadgets. Skip the gimmicks until the basics are steady. Essential equipment is its own short lesson in the beginners course.
How often should I feed them?
Water, gear, and daily careLittle and often beats dumping a feast once a day. Uneaten food fouls the water. The Feeding & Nutrition course is short on purpose — most of us overfeed at first.
How often do I change water?
Water, gear, and daily careRegular small changes beat rare giant ones. Exact schedule depends on your tank size and stocking, but “when it smells off or looks cloudy” is already late. Learn the cycle first; then the maintenance rhythm makes sense.
Will my guppies have babies?
Breeding (it will happen)If you keep males and females together, it’s usually when, not if. I was not ready the first time. There’s a whole Breeding Basics course so you aren’t scrambling with fry at midnight.
What if I don’t want babies?
Breeding (it will happen)Keep a males-only (or carefully managed) setup, or plan for fry before they show up. Population management is the last lesson in Breeding Basics — please read it before you scale up.
Are you a veterinarian?
Honest limitsNo. Everything here is hobbyist experience, organized so you don’t have to dig forums the hard way. For illness, injuries, or mystery deaths, get professional help.
Why isn’t there a shop yet?
Honest limitsThis rebuild is Learn + Blog + FAQ first. Shopping can wait until the teaching side feels solid. No fake warehouse, no pressure to buy gear you don’t need.
Can I contact you?
Honest limitsYes — use the contact page when it’s live. I can’t diagnose every tank by email, but I read notes when I can, and I care that beginners feel less alone.
Still overwhelmed? That’s normal. Start one lesson, not twelve tabs.