Guppy breeding

Sometime soon, I'm going to pick up some leopard veil guppies as dither fish for the Discus tank...

With the influx of 60 or so rescue guppies, a bit of research tells me that they like hard water!  Anyone up to refuting that finding?  I for the life of me can't grow shrimp nor snails as I suspect they too prefer hard water!  Bil l

williemcd wrote:With the influx of 60 or so rescue guppies, a bit of research tells me that they like hard water!  Anyone up to refuting that finding?  I for the life of me can't grow shrimp nor snails as I suspect they too prefer hard water!  Bil l

In the wild they prefer that, but they are so far from their native genes they are pretty adaptable.

Snails not working in soft water isn't shocking, since they need minerals to build their shells.

Shrimp it seems to depend on the species which water preference they have. RCS are probably going to be the most adaptable.

Verbal.. that would be a great thread under Inverts... What variety of shrimp do well in what environment!  I'm betting you could bat it out from memory!  Bill

Bill...Guppies like the water way different than our Angels. Your water will be good for them with the addition of some Kosher salt and a sprinkle of baking soda.

I tried putting 6 guppies in with the Angel... they didn't last 10 minutes!  There are Ira's in with the Discus and doing fine but not spawning as far as I can see... And... what would the salt and soda do to the Angels and Discus?  Bill

Sorry, Bill..they aren't compatible (water quality wise) with Discus or Angels. Again...it's the "SURVIVE, NOT THRIVE" problem we run into with community tanks. As with most of us.....I learned from my mom. She was a guppy GURU!
I DO agree that fish become TOLERANT of water parameters outside their wild habitat. Having said that.... IMO, it's our duty as serious hobbyists to get them as close to their native water conditions as possible if you want them at their BEST!