Guppies are the most common and easy to take care fish aquarist loves to add to their aquarium. However, behavior like rubbing against plants is something that can worry us.
There can be various factors that we will discuss in this article that explain why guppy is rubbing against plants. So, Why is my guppy rubbing against plants? Let us find out.
External parasites like ich cause itching in guppies, making them rub against plants. Other reasons are poor water quality, stress, and physical injury. Ensure isolating new fish, a stress-free environment, and good water quality to prevent your guppies from such issues.
This article will discuss the reason and prevention of guppy fish rubbing against plants. So let us get into it.
Contents
Is it normal for guppies to rub against plants?
It is normal for guppies to rub against plants if your guppy is not doing it in a regular manner.
If your guppy is rubbing against plants regularly, then it is a matter of concern.
Your guppy is suffering from some issues if they regularly show such rubbing behavior.
There can be various reasons behind your guppy fish rubbing against plants.
External parasites like ich and poor water quality are the primary reasons behind such issues.
Also read: Why Is My Guppy Rubbing Against Gravel?
What are the reasons behind guppy fish rubbing against plants?
These are the reasons behind your guppy fish rubbing against plants:
- Your guppies aquarium water quality is poor.
- Your guppy fish is suffering from external parasites like ich.
- Your guppy fish is under stress.
- Your guppy’s water parameters are not adequate and stable.
- Your guppy fish is suffering from some physical injury.
Poor water quality
Poor water quality can be the primary reason behind your guppy fish rubbing against plants.
Contaminated water will result in a spike of ammonia in your guppy’s aquarium water.
A high ammonia level will elevate the pH level of the water, making the water highly alkaline.
Highly acidic water will affect your guppy fish gills, showing such rubbing behavior.
You must know that contaminated water lacks oxygen. Therefore, your guppy fish will suffer because of oxygen deficiency in water, making them gasp for air at the water surface.
Also, beneficial bacteria in your aquarium require oxygen to break down ammonia and nitrite. Because of the lack of oxygen, beneficial bacteria will not be able to do it, resulting in a spike of ammonia and nitrite.
Also read: Can Guppy Survive In Muddy Water?
External parasites
External parasites like ich, also known as white spot disease, will make your guppy fish rub against plants.
Ich causes itching in your guppy fish, making them rub against the plants.
Usually, such parasites occur when we introduce new fish or invertebrates to the tank without isolating them for weeks before.
Also, it can develop in your guppies aquarium because of the poor water quality.
Also read: How To Cure Guppy Ich?
Stress
Stress can also make your guppy fish rub against the plants.
Guppy in stress will show strange behavior like erratic swimming patterns, rubbing, and aggression.
The primary reason for guppy stress is poor water quality.
Other reasons for guppy fish coming under stress are:
- Aggressive tankmate
- Overcrowded tank
- Inadequate water parameters
- Unstable water temperature
- Irregular supply of food
Also, guppy fish being under stress for a long time, will be prone to various diseases and parasites.
Also read: Are My Guppies Stressed?
Inadequate and unstable water parameters
Inadequate water parameters can also lead to guppy fish rubbing against plants.
A high or low pH level will make your guppy suffer.
A high or low pH will cause itchy skin, making your guppy fish rub against plants.
A sudden change in water temperature will make your guppy fish come under stress.
Physical injury
Guppy suffering from physical injury can also rub against the plants.
Some injuries can cause itching in your guppy fish skin, making them rub against the plants.
Usually, overcrowded tanks and aggressive tankmate causes nipping and chasing, resulting in injuries.
How can we prevent our guppies from such problems?
Take care of these things to prevent your guppies from such issues:
- Ensure good water quality
- Isolate new fish and invertebrates before adding them to your guppies aquarium.
- Provide adequate and stable water parameters to your guppies.
- Provide your guppy fish stress-free environment.
- Wash the aquarium decors before adding them to your guppy fish tank.
Good water quality
Providing your guppy with good water quality will prevent them from such issues.
Performing a weekly change of at least 35% will help you keep the water clean.
Consider adding a good filtration system with biofilter media to keep your guppy’s aquarium water free from harmful toxins like ammonia and nitrite.
Isolate new fish and invertebrates
When you buy new fish for your home aquarium, isolate them for four to five weeks.
Fishes and invertebrates can carry various contagious diseases and parasites.
Isolating them in a separate tank will give you time to detect if they are suffering from any issues.
Adequate and stable water parameters
Providing guppies with adequate and stable water parameters will help you prevent your guppies from such issues.
Provide your guppy fish with a water temperature between 72-80 °F.
Guppy fish require a water pH level between 7-8 to thrive.
With adequate water parameters, stability is equally important to keep your guppy fish away from such issues.
Also read: What Is The Ideal Water Temperature For Guppy Fish?
Stress-free environment
Providing your guppy fish a stress-free environment will keep them away from various issues, including rubbing against plants.
To ensure a stress-free environment for your guppy fish, follow these things:
- Avoid adding aggressive fish to your guppies aquarium.
- Provide your guppy with good water quality.
- Ensure adequate and stable water parameters.
- Provide a regular supply of food.
- Avoid overcrowding your tank.
- Maintain a male and female ratio of guppies.
Also read: What To Do If My Guppy Is Stressed?
Wash aquarium decors
Aquarium decors can contain harmful chemicals which can pollute your guppy’s aquarium water.
Washing them before adding them to your guppies tank will eliminate all the chemicals.
Conclusion:
There can be various reasons behind your guppy fish rubbing against plants, of which external parasite like ich is the primary reason.
Parasite like ich causes itching in your guppies, making them rub against the plants.
Other reasons are poor water quality, stress, inadequate water temperature, and physical injury.
Provide your guppy with good water quality and isolate new fish and invertebrates for four to five weeks to prevent your guppies from having such issues.
Reference: SRAC, Britannica