Guppies are friendly and bright, but their long fins make them vulnerable to nipping. The best tank mates are calm, similarly sized, and not overly food-aggressive. If your goal is pristine finnage, choose companions that ignore fins and don’t turn feeding time into a competition.
Great tank mates (generally safe)
- Dwarf corydoras: peaceful bottom dwellers that clean leftovers and don’t compete at the surface.
- Small rasboras: active but usually fin-safe, especially in well-sized groups.
- Ember tetras (with caution): often peaceful, but watch individuals; any nipping means remove them.
- Cherry shrimp and snails: great for micro-cleanup if you provide cover so shrimp can retreat.
Tank mates that often cause issues
- Known fin nippers: tiger barbs and other “busy” barbs can shred tails quickly.
- Large gourami/angelfish: may view fry as food and can intimidate guppies.
- Fast, food-dominant fish: some danios and larger tetras can outcompete guppies at feeding time.
How to make community tanks safer
- Add cover: plants and hardscape break line of sight and reduce chasing.
- Feed smarter: scatter food across the surface so guppies get a fair share.
- Stock with intent: don’t mix “peaceful” fish with a single aggressive individual — behaviour matters.
- Watch the first week: nipping usually shows early. Remove the culprit fast.
Fry and survival
If you want fry to survive, community tanks reduce survival. Dense plant zones help, but any mid-water fish may snack on newborn fry. If you’re breeding lines, a separate grow-out tank is the reliable solution.
The best tank mate is the one that lets guppies behave naturally: cruising, displaying fins, and feeding confidently. Choose calm species and don’t hesitate to rehome a fin nipper — one fish can ruin a whole display.
