Most people focus on acclimation day — and that matters — but the real success of shipped guppies is often decided over the next week. Fish may arrive looking okay, then act shy, clamp fins, or eat lightly for a couple of days. That’s normal shipping recovery. The mistake is trying to “fix” everything at once. The best recovery plan is calm, stable, and boring.
Day 1–2: settle and breathe
- keep lights low and avoid tapping the glass
- offer a tiny meal once fish are calm
- watch breathing rate and surface behaviour
Day 3–7: stability and observation
- keep water stable: avoid major rescapes and deep cleans
- feed lightly: small consistent meals prevent waste spikes
- watch fins and behaviour: confidence should improve daily
- test water once or twice: ensure ammonia/nitrite remain 0
What not to do
Don’t run a “treatment cocktail” by default. Don’t chase fish around for photos. Don’t do huge water changes unless tests show a problem. Shipped fish need calm more than they need constant intervention.
When to worry
If fish refuse food for several days, show heavy breathing, develop obvious spots, or rapidly fray fins, then action is justified — starting with water testing and oxygen. Most of the time, fish improve naturally when the environment is stable.
The first week is your success window. Keep it calm and consistent, and guppies typically bounce back with strong appetite and colour as they settle into their new home.
