
Guppy fry are endlessly cute—but what do you do with them? We gathered insights from a popular r/Guppies thread and turned them into a practical guide for aquarists.
“Just leave them. Guppies will for the most part self‑regulate. The babies will get eaten.”
Population control via cannibalism is common in guppy tanks. If you have hiding spots and group dynamics, fry survival tends to stabilize naturally.
Some users suggest adding predatory tank mates:
Bettas or dwarf gouramis may eat fry—but they might also threaten (your shrimp if you have them).
Keeping separate tanks or breeder boxes can work, though you risk raising fry that won't get eaten later.
Fry can be rehomed to local fish shops, online groups, or hobbyist circles.
“My first and second culls go to my mollies and angelfish … later culls I post to Neighborhood or Facebook.”
A great way to build community and clear space!
Reduce fry numbers by:
Lowering feed frequency or quantities
Slightly reducing tank temperature
“Feed less and lower the temperature a little. That will make the guppies breed slower, and cannibalize their offspring.”
This slows breeding and encourages natural population control.
Dense plant cover helps fry escape predation. Crush flake food finely to ensure fry get proper nutrition without overfeeding.
“Crush flakes into a powder … then feed twice a day.”
| Strategy | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Let nature balance | Promotes natural population control |
| Add predator species | Direct fry reduction |
| Use breeder or grow-out tank | Controlled rearing environment |
| Rehome or trade | Share resources, reduce overpopulation |
| Adjust feeding/temp | Slow reproduction and manage numbers |
| Provide plant cover | Protect fry and improve survival rates |
Guppy fry are both a blessing and a management challenge. A thoughtful, science-backed approach—balanced by community sharing—can turn what feels like chaos into a rewarding ecosystem. Betterscape.ai makes that process transparent, trackable, and shareable.
👉 Try Betterscape.ai today and transform your fry management into a data-driven, stress-free experience!
Ready to manage your fry like a pro? Let us know how Betterscape.ai helps—or share your own fry-control stories!
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