When guppies are shipped, the biggest risk isn’t that they “get hungry.” The risk is water quality inside the bag. In a small volume, waste builds quickly. If fish are fed heavily before shipping, they produce more waste during transit and the bag water can degrade faster. That’s why responsible shipping routines often involve a short fasting window before dispatch. It’s not cruel — it’s protective.
Why fasting before shipping helps
- less waste production during transit
- cleaner water, lower stress
- lower risk of oxygen depletion from decomposing food
What to do when guppies arrive
After acclimation, many fish will eat within hours, but you don’t want to dump a big meal immediately. Start small. A tiny portion helps them settle without creating a sudden waste spike in a tank that’s already adjusting to new fish.
A practical feeding plan
- Arrival day: tiny feed after they settle, or wait until the next morning if they seem stressed.
- Day 2–3: normal small meals, observe appetite and behaviour.
- First week: keep feeding clean and consistent; avoid huge rich meals while they settle.
Why this matters for fin quality
Clean water and low stress in the first week helps fins stay pristine and reduces the chance of opportunistic issues after shipping. Most “post-shipping problems” are actually stress + water instability, not lack of food.
If you time feeding well around shipping, you massively reduce risk. The goal is a calm transition: clean water, gentle routine, and small meals until the fish fully settle.
