You might be wondering whether or not you can house hatchet guppies, swordtails, and gouramis together. The answer is maybe. It really depends on a few factors, including the size of your tank and the personality of your fish.
In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know about keeping these three fish species together.
What Do Hatchet Guppies, Swordtails, and Gouramis Have in Common?
All three of these fish are freshwater fish that originate from Central and South America. They are all considered to be peaceful fish, although there can be exceptions.
Hatchet guppies and swordtails are both livebearers, which means they give birth to live young. Gouramis, on the other hand, are egg layers.
All three fish are relatively easy to care for and make great additions to a community tank.
The Benefits of Keeping These Fish Together
There are several benefits to keeping hatchet guppies, swordtails, and gouramis together.
One of the biggest benefits is that it can help to cut down on aggression.
Swordtails and gouramis are both known to be relatively peaceful fish. However, they can sometimes become aggressive if they feel threatened or if there is not enough space in the tank.
By keeping them together with hatchet guppies, you can help to reduce the amount of aggression in the tank.
Another benefit is that it can provide your fish with a more natural environment.
In the wild, these fish would all live near each other. By keeping them together in your tank, you can create a more natural environment for them to live in.
The Challenges of Keeping These Fish Together
There are also some challenges that come with keeping hatchet guppies, swordtails, and gouramis together.
One of the biggest challenges is that these fish have different temperature preferences.
Hatchet guppies prefer water that is on the cooler side, around 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit. Swordtails and gouramis, on the other hand, prefer water that is a bit warmer, around 82-86 degrees Fahrenheit.
This means that you will need to be careful about the temperature of your tank. If the water is too cold, hatchet guppies may become sick. If the water is too warm, swordtails and gouramis may become stressed.
Another challenge is that these fish have different dietary needs.
Hatchet guppies are omnivorous and will eat both plants and animals. Swordtails and gouramis are also omnivorous, but they prefer a diet that is heavier in animal protein.
This means that you will need to be careful about the food you are feeding your fish. If you feed them a diet that is too high in animal protein, hatchet guppies may become sick. If you feed them a diet that is too low in animal protein, swordtails and gouramis may become stunted.
What Size Tank Do You Need?
The size of the tank you need will depend on the number of fish you want to keep.
If you want to keep a small group of hatchet guppies, swordtails, and gouramis together, you will need a tank that is at least 20 gallons.
If you want to keep a larger group of fish, you will need a tank that is at least 30 gallons.
What Kind of Filtration Do You Need?
The type of filtration you need will depend on the size of your tank and the number of fish you are keeping.
If you have a small tank (20 gallons or less), you can get by with a small filter, like a sponge filter.
If you have a larger tank (30 gallons or more), you will need a bigger filter, like a canister filter.
What Are the Water Parameters You Need to Maintain?
The water parameters you need to maintain will depend on the fish you are keeping.
Hatchet guppies prefer water that is neutral to slightly acidic, with a pH of 6.5-7.0. Swordtails and gouramis prefer water that is neutral to slightly alkaline, with a pH of 7.0-8.0.
The temperature of your tank should be between 72-86 degrees Fahrenheit.
The hardness of your water should be between 5-20 DH.
What Are the Best Plants for This Tank?
The best plants for this tank are those that can tolerate a wide range of water parameters.
Some good options include hornwort, java moss, and anubias.
What Are the Best Fish for This Tank?
The best fish for this tank are those that are peaceful and can tolerate a wide range of water parameters.
Some good options include hatchet fish, platies, and guppies.
How Do You Set Up This Tank?
To set up this tank, you will need to start with a substrate that can tolerate a wide range of water parameters.
Some good options include gravel, sand, and clay.
Next, you will need to add some plants to your tank. As mentioned above, some good options include hornwort, java moss, and anubias.
After your plants are in place, you can add your fish. As mentioned above, some good options include hatchet fish, platies, and guppies.
Once your fish are in the tank, you will need to add a filter and a heater to maintain the proper water parameters.
What Are Some Tips for Keeping This Tank?
Some tips for keeping this tank include the following:
- Be sure to maintain the proper water parameters, including temperature and pH.
- Feed your fish a diet that is rich in plant and animal proteins.
- Be sure to perform regular water changes to remove waste and toxins from the water.
- Be sure to quarantine new fish before adding them to your tank.
With a little care and attention, you can easily keep a mixed group of hatchet guppies, swordtails, and gouramis together in your aquarium.
By providing them with the proper environment and diet, you can ensure that your fish will thrive and be healthy for many years to come.