Guppies are peaceful fish and like to interact with each other. They do great in a community tank with other peaceful tankmates. But, sometimes guppy fish show some behavior that makes us worry. Chasing each other is one of them.
It is essential to know about guppies’ behavior when keeping guppies in your home aquarium. So, Why do guppies chase each other? What are the reasons behind chasing? Let us find out.
Guppy chases each other for mating, establishing dominance, and food. Another reason is constant stress because of an overcrowded tank, irregular food supply, and poor water conditions. Consider keeping guppies in large tanks and in an appropriate male to female ratio to stop such chasing behavior.
This article will discuss the reasons and prevention of guppy fish chasing each other. So, let us get into it.
Contents
- 1 Why are my guppies chasing each other?
- 2 Is chasing normal In guppies?
- 3 Reasons why guppy chase each other
- 3.1 Your guppies are playing.
- 3.2 Guppies are territorial
- 3.3 Your male guppy is trying to mate with the female guppy.
- 3.4 Your guppies are competing for food.
- 3.5 Your guppy is establishing their hierarchy.
- 3.6 There is an inappropriate male to female ratio.
- 3.7 Your guppy is living in an inadequate living condition.
- 3.8 Your guppy has a lack of hiding spots.
- 3.9 Your guppy is under stress
- 4 Why are my male guppies chasing each other?
- 5 Why are my female guppies chasing each other?
- 6 Why is my male guppy chasing female guppy?
- 7 How can we stop guppies from chasing each other?
- 8 Conclusion:
Why are my guppies chasing each other?
There can be numerous reasons behind guppy fish chasing each other.
Guppy fish are peaceful fish and do great in a community tank with other peaceful fish.
Guppies show chasing behavior because of many reasons like:
- Mating
- Playing
- Being territorial
- Bullying
- Showing predatory behavior
Chasing is normal in guppies until and unless it becomes their habit.
More dominating guppy will bully and chase weaker guppy.
Extreme chasing level will make the chased guppy come under stress.
Guppy will lose its immune system and be prone to various diseases and parasites if chased in a constant manner.
Is chasing normal In guppies?
Chasing is usually normal in guppies.
But, you must know that constant chasing is not normal and can make your guppy come under stress.
Guppy chases each other for many logical reasons, like mating and playing.
But, if the chasing is being in a constant manner because of any reason, then it is a matter of concern.
Constantly chased guppy will come under stress and can suffer from a life-threatening condition.
Constantly chased guppy will lose its immune system and become weak, resulting in being prone to various diseases and parasites.
Some diseases are contagious and cannot be detected at an early stage.
Constant chasing can result in spreading such disease, and the whole population in your guppies aquarium will be affected.
So, ensure keeping a regular check on your guppies’ behavior and take immediate action if you notice constant chasing and any physical harm because of nipping and chasing.
Reasons why guppy chase each other
These are the reasons behind guppy fish chasing behavior:
- Playing
- Territorial
- Mating behavior
- Competition for food
- Hierarchy
- Small size tank
- Inappropriate male to female ratio
- Inadequate living condition
- Lack of hiding spots
- Stress
Your guppies are playing.
Guppies are peaceful fish and like to interact with each other.
This way, they make their bond strong and be active throughout the day.
This is healthy chasing, and there is no harm.
However, keep a regular check on guppy behavior to detect the sign of aggression and injury as it is hard to detect the intention of chasing.
Guppies are territorial
Male guppies are more territorial than female guppies.
Male guppies become territorial to make a separate space for them in an aquarium and feel safe.
Chasing happens whenever someone tries to enter their territory.
Your male guppy is trying to mate with the female guppy.
Male guppies chase female guppies for mating with them.
Male guppy shows their attractive and colorful fin to attract female guppy. Also, they chase and nip female guppy for mating.
Female guppies prefer to mate with male guppies with more color and strength to ensure their healthy offspring.
Also, the female guppy doesn’t remain still when the male guppy tries to mate with her, and chasing begins.
Your guppies are competing for food.
Guppies also do chase each other for food.
When the required amount of food is scarce, the guppy will compete for food and try to eat other food by chasing each other.
Especially, pregnant female guppies will chase other guppies for food as they need more nutritional food to keep themselves healthy.
Your guppy is establishing their hierarchy.
Guppies chase each other to establish their hierarchy.
They show their dominance by chasing each other.
Adult and strong guppy show their dominance by chasing and bullying the weak guppy.
The most aggressive and powerful male becomes the leader and leads the group.
Your guppy is living in a small size tank.
Lack of space can also lead to guppy chasing behavior.
Guppy requires ample space to live comfortably and can come under stress because of lack of space.
Chasing can happen in a small size tank.
There is an inappropriate male to female ratio.
An inappropriate male to female ratio will also trigger such chasing behavior in guppies.
There will be chasing if there is no female guppy in your guppies aquarium.
Male guppy will not be able to mate in the absence of female guppy and will get frustrated because of that, resulting in chasing each other.
Also, more male guppies and few female guppies will make the female guppy suffer from constant chasing, and they can come under stress.
As male guppy will chase the female guppy constantly for mating, and because of the constant chasing, female guppy will come under stress and become prone to various diseases and parasites.
Your guppy is living in an inadequate living condition.
Improper living condition is the primary reason for guppy fish coming under stress.
Stress can lead to guppies chasing each other.
Providing our guppies with good water quality and adequate water parameters is essential to prevent stress and such chasing behavior.
Your guppy has a lack of hiding spots.
Guppies require a hiding spot when they are under stress.
Hiding spots make them feel safe when they are under stress.
Lack of hiding spot can result in chasing as the stressed guppy will show aggression by chasing to keep themselves safe from adult guppy and other tankmates.
Also read: Do Guppies Need Hiding Places?
Your guppy is under stress
When the chasing is not for playing, mating, establishing dominance, or food, then stress explains chasing.
Guppies will chase each other when they are under stress because of some reason.
Your guppy can come under stress because of these reasons:
- Poor water quality
- Inadequate and unstable water parameters
- Overcrowded tank
- Aggressive tankmate
- Irregular food supply
- Illness
- Inappropriate male and female guppy ratio
Also read: What To Do If My Guppy Is Stressed?
Why are my male guppies chasing each other?
There are many reasons for male guppy chasing each other:
- Your male guppies are just playing.
- Your male guppies are being territorial.
- Your male guppies are fighting.
- Your male guppy is frustrated because of the absence of female guppy.
- Your male guppy is trying to form a hierarchy.
Playing
Guppies are peaceful fish and do great in community tanks with other compatible tankmates.
Your male guppy will play with each other and female guppy to create a good bond.
Paying with each other is a way of socializing in guppies and making their social status strong.
Territorial
Male guppy fish are territorial and will show territorial behavior by chasing each other.
It happens more in a small tank with more male guppies in the tank.
It also happens when female guppy fish are absent in your guppies aquarium.
Fighting
Occasionally fighting with each other is normal in male guppies until and unless it becomes the habit.
Male guppies sometimes fight to display their strength and power to other male guppies.
You can also relate this with their territorial instinct, as male guppy will show their power to prove themselves strong.
It can be a matter of concern if this behavior becomes a habit of your male guppies.
Absence of female guppy
Male guppies can also chase each other when there is an absence of female guppy in your guppies aquarium.
Without female guppy, male guppy will not be able to mate and will be frustrated and aggressive.
And because of frustration, male guppies will show such chasing behavior.
Hierarchy
Male guppies also chase each other to establish their hierarchy.
They chase each other to show their power and strength.
The most aggressive and powerful male becomes the leader of all guppies.
The leader gets to eat and mate first.
Guppies in a low-rank position can suffer upper-rank guppies aggression sometimes.
The alpha male guppy will bully the low-ranked guppies.
It is not harmful until and unless done in a consistent manner.
Also read: Are Guppies Aggressive?
Why are my female guppies chasing each other?
Like male guppies, female guppies can also chase each other.
These are some possible explanations for female guppy chasing each other:
- Female guppy is chasing each other for food.
- Female guppy is chasing each other for space.
- Larger female guppy is bullying smaller ones.
Female guppies are not aggressive and territorial like male guppies.
But, if there is a presence of dominant female guppy in your guppies aquarium, chasing can happen.
Female guppies will chase each other for food and more space.
Also, pregnant female guppies will chase other female guppies for more food. This is because pregnant female guppy needs more nutritional food to remain healthy.
It is normal and harmless for female guppies to chase each other.
But, you must know that constant chasing will make your guppy fish come under stress, and they can be prone to various diseases and parasites.
Why is my male guppy chasing female guppy?
Male guppy fish chase female guppy fish for mating.
Female guppy fish are picky when it comes to mating with a male guppy.
Usually, male guppy shows their attractive color to attract female guppy and mate with them.
Female guppy also prefers to mate with a powerful male guppy with more colors to ensure their good offspring.
When male guppy doesn’t qualify the female guppy needs, chasing starts there.
Also, female guppy doesn’t stay still when male guppy is trying to mate with them, resulting in chasing and nipping.
Constant chasing and nipping can make female guppies come under stress, and they will be prone to various diseases.
Also read: Why Is My Male Guppy Chasing Female Guppy?
How can we stop guppies from chasing each other?
We now know that chasing is normal in guppies as they chase for many purposes.
But, constant chasing can happen for many reasons that we can prevent.
Perform these things to stop your guppies from chasing each other:
- Provide your guppy big size tank
- Maintain a male and female ratio of guppies.
- Avoid overcrowding your guppies aquarium.
- Provide your guppy an adequate water condition.
- Ensure feeding your guppy, high-quality nutritional food regularly.
Big size tank
Guppy fish need ample space to live comfortably.
You should consider keeping guppies in a big size tank.
This way, you can prevent guppy from coming under stress because of lack of space to live comfortably.
Maintain male and female guppy ratio
Maintaining the male and female guppy ratio will prevent chasing in guppies.
We should keep male and female guppies in a ratio of 1:2, which means one male guppy and two female guppies.
You can also keep one male guppy and three female guppies.
Keeping your guppies in this ratio will help your female guppy.
When we keep more female guppies than male guppies, the stress because of being chased by male guppy for mating gets distributed among female guppies, and they get time to calm down.
Avoid overcrowding your guppies aquarium.
An overcrowded tank will make your guppy fish come under stress as they will not get enough space to live comfortably.
Also, an overcrowded tank will get polluted faster than usual.
Oxygen will be deficient in an overcrowded tank.
These will put your guppy fish under stress, and chasing can happen.
So, to make sure that you are not overcrowding your guppies tank, follow the one-inch one-gallon rule.
The one-inch one-gallon rule means one inch of fish per one gallon of water.
| Guppy Fish | No of Guppies |
|---|---|
| Male guppy (0.6-1.4 inches) | 10-12 |
| Female guppy (1.2-2.4 inches) | 5-7 |
| Both male and female guppy | 5-8 |
Also read: How Many Guppies In A 20 Gallon Tank?
Provide adequate water condition
Providing adequate water conditions to your guppy fish will help you prevent them from chasing each other.
Make sure to provide your guppy fish with good water quality to live comfortably.
| Particular | Guppy Fish Requirement |
|---|---|
| Water temperature | 72-82 °F |
| Water pH level | 6.8-7.8 |
Provide your guppy fish with a water temperature between 72-82 °F.
Guppy fish require a water pH level between 6.8 and 7.8.
Also read: Guppy Fish Minimum Water Temperature.
Feed your guppy fish regularly.
Irregular feeding can also make your guppy fish compete for food, resulting in chasing.
So, make sure to feed your guppy fish regularly.
You can feed your guppy fish one small pinch of food two times a day.
| Guppy Food | Serving Quantity | No of Times |
|---|---|---|
| Veggie pellets | One small pinch | 2-3 times a day |
| Brine shrimp | One small pinch | 2-3 times a week |
| Bloodworms | One small pinch | 1-2 times a week |
| Tubifex Worms | One small pinch | 1 time a week |
| Mosquito larvae | 10-15 Pieces | 2-3 times a week |
| Zucchini (Blanched) | One small slice | 3-4 times a week |
Also read: Best Food For Guppy Fish.
Conclusion:
Guppy fish can chase each other for various reasons.
Chasing is normal in guppies until and unless it becomes the habit.
Constant chasing can make your guppy fish come under stress, and they can be prone to various diseases and parasites.
Consider providing your guppy fish ample space to live and maintain a male and female guppy ratio to stop guppy fish from chasing each other.
Reference: NCBI, ResearchGate, ScienceDirect,