Do Guppies Live In Saltwater? {Truth Revealed}

Earlier, as a new guppy keeper, I had confusion “Do guppies live in saltwater?” But, after lots of experiments and research, I got my answer.

Yes, guppies live in salt water with 39 ppt (100% seawater) to 58.5 ppt (150% seawater).

The transition from freshwater tank to saltwater tank is not easy, it requires patience to perform successful acclimation of guppies.

In this article, I will answer all questions relating to guppies salinity tolerance, detailed salt water treatment, survival duration and acclimation steps.

Let’s dive in.

Do Guppies Live In Saltwater Or Freshwater?

No, guppies don’t live in saltwater or freshwater but they prefer brackish water.

So, what is brackish water? Brackish water is water that is salty as compared to freshwater but not more than seawater. Generally, brackish water is in between saltwater and freshwater.

For example – 30ppt refers to 30 grams of salt present in every 1000 grams(1Kg) of water.

Guppies in Saltwater

Guppies are tropical fish that live in brackish water or freshwater for their growth and development.

Poecilia reticulata (Guppies) is popularly known for adaptability to several changes in water pH level, temperature, and salinity as long as guppies living environment is regularly maintained.

Hence, many fish keepers keep guppies in freshwater fish tank as well as brackish water fish tank.

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Can Guppies Live In Saltwater?

Yes, guppies can live in saltwater and can handle salinity up to 150% (58.5ppt) of seawater. However, this salinity tolerance depends on certain factors like where guppy fish are born and bred or how guppies are acclimated.

Guppies born in saltwater environments or water rich in minerals, then they need salt in water for their well-being. Further, if guppies are bred or acclimated in water with required minerals, then water is already saline so don’t mix salt in water.

The acclimation process should be slow and gradual, so guppies can adapt to the new environment. When there is a sudden change in water parameters, then a high chance guppies may die, so avoid giving shock or stress to your pet fish.

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Do Guppies Need Salt In Their Water?

The requirement for salt relies on the type of water you use for guppies.

“Should I add salt to my fish tank of guppies?”

Firstly, if the water is high in mineral content, then guppies do not require salt in guppy tank as water is already saline.

Secondly, if the water is soft and has less mineral concentration then to increase water hardness you need to put some salt in water.

So, the next question is how much salt should you add to your guppy fish tank? The quantity of salt depends on the amount of water and the size of your fish tank.

The safe ratio of salinity is 1 tablespoon of sea salt for every 10 gallons of aquarium water.

You should check water salinity before adding in guppy tank as excessive salt damages the guppies’ kidneys.

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Can Guppies Tolerate Salt?

Yes, guppies can tolerate a maximum of 58.50 ppt (150% of seawater) after that salt starts to harm kidney of guppy fish.

The salinity toleration depends on guppies osmoregulation. Here, osmoregulation means a special function of a kidney that balances water and salt in the body of guppy fish.

Guppy fish are brackish water and freshwater fish with more salt present in the body than in the water surrounding fish. So, there are chance of losing salt and absorbing more water. But, guppies special kidney removes water and reabsorb salt from their environment.

The things are opposite in the case of saltwater fish, salt is high in water around fish and less in the body. Hence, they lose water and gain salt in the body. However, the marine water fish’s kidney eradicates excessive salt present in body and further does not absorb any salt while fish drink water.

Many curious fish keepers have a question “Are Guppies Saltwater Fish?” – No, guppies are not saltwater fish rather they survive in brackish water where salinity is up to 30 ppt.

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How Much Salt Can Guppies Tolerate?

Guppies can tolerate 39 ppt (100% seawater) to 58.5 ppt (150% seawater). Above that will endanger the life of your guppy fish as stress levels are high which makes them prone to disease and may even kill them.

The transition of guppy fish from freshwater tank to saltwater must be smooth and slow. If the process of acclimation is fast, then guppies dehydrate a lot and may die soon even though other water parameters are ideal.

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Can Guppies Handle Salt Treatment?

Yes, guppies can handle salt treatment with the help of slow acclimation and limited salinity.

Guppy Salt Water Treatment

Many guppy keepers use salt to deal with increasing toxins in tank water and to stabilize pH levels, while others to cure fungal and bacterial infections as well as to stop the spread of parasites. This gives guppies enough time to rebuild their immunity.

Further, guppies cannot tolerate higher doses of salt, so make sure to give low doses of salt to remove parasites and other infections.

You should check water hardness before giving salt treatment to guppies. Further, in some areas water is hard so don’t add salt, but if water is soft, you can add salt.

How to give salt treatment to guppies in aquarium?

Step-1 The proportion is a teaspoon of salt for every 5 gallons of water.

Step-2 Prepare a dosage of the salt mixture in a bowl.

Step-3 Divide the dosage into two parts.

Step-4 Slowly pour the first half of the dosage into the guppy tank.

Step-5 After 12 hours, add the second half of the dosage to an aquarium.

Step-6 If the guppy fish is still sick after one week, then perform a 25% water change and again do the above step. But this time prepare the salt dose percentage of water change done.

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Can Guppies Be Acclimated To Saltwater?

Yes, guppies can be acclimated to saltwater with a few easy steps.

If you try to make any sudden change in water parameters, then the kidneys of guppies may hurt and may even die. So, slow down the transition from freshwater to saltwater for smooth acclimation of guppies.

How To Acclimate Guppies To Saltwater?

Step-1 Follow the rule of thumb 1 gallon water for 1 inch guppy fish.

Step-2 Ensure air stone or air pump is installed for proper oxygenation of the tank.

Step-3 For setting up an acclimation tank for guppies use the same tank and maintain the water parameters.

Step-4 Remove 25% – 40% water from acclimation tank.

Step-5 Prepare saltwater tank and check salinity is not more than 150% (58.5ppt).

Step-6 Next is to set a tube and check the valve in such a way that water flows from saltwater tank to acclimation guppy tank.

Step-7 The check valve is used to control the flow of water and it should be 1 or 2 drops per second.

Step- 8 The brackish water tank for guppies is ready when the aquarium is full.

Step-9 Next, you need to extract 50% to 60% of water from acclimation tank

Step-10 Start over again but increase the flow rate from 3 to 4 drops every second.

Step-11 This time when tank is full guppies are acclimated to saltwater and it is correct time to transfer guppies to saltwater aquarium.

Step-12 Place the bag of guppies in saltwater tank as the temperature in both tanks may differ. After 30 mins remove the bag.

This gradual transition will help guppies acclimate to saltwater environment.

Points to be remembered during acclimating guppies in saltwater tank

• Use a glass aquarium as the water is salty.
• Low salinity is tolerable, so avoid excess salt.
• The process should be carried out in a cycled tank.
• Observe the guppies closely during the process, if the fish is not well then you have put too much salt and need to acclimat again.
• During water change, use the same ratio of salt to water to avoid stress.

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How Long Can Guppies Live In Saltwater?

Guppies can handle 39 ppt to 58.5 ppt salinity and the average guppies lifespan is 2 to 3 years.

Guppies Salt Water

If ideal water parameters are maintained, proper acclimation, low salinity in tank, adequate oxygenation, a nutritious balanced diet, and without stress guppies can live in saltwater for 2-3 years.

When acclimation is not correctly done, there is a possibility guppies are dehydrated and show signs such as laying on the bottom of tank, inactive, hiding, staying in the corner of tank and laziness.

You need to act fast and move guppy fish back to the freshwater tank.

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Can Guppies Survive In Brackish Water?

Yes, guppies can survive in brackish water as it is their natural environment and contains all essential minerals required for their growth and well-being.

The water salinity should not exceed the maximum tolerable limit of guppies. Don’t put extra salt in tank if water is rich in minerals as it is already saline.

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Can Guppies Live In A Marine Tank?

Yes, guppies can live in a marine tank and this research shows guppy fish can tolerate 39 ppt to 58.50 ppt.

The acclimation process should be slow and steady, so guppies can easily adapt to the new environment.

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Conclusion

Guppy fish can live in salt water with a proper acclimation process performed. This transition takes more than 24 hours.

The other ideal parameters should be maintained and salinity level should not cross guppies tolerable limit.

If you have any questions, please feel free to comment.

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FAQS

Is Epsom Salt Good For Guppies?

Yes, Epsom salt is good for guppies. It prevents bloating and helps constipated guppy.

Are Guppies Sensitive To Salt?

No, guppies are not sensitive to salt up to 150% of seawater.

Can Guppies Survive Aquarium Salt?

No, guppies cannot survive in aquarium salt for a long time if not properly acclimated. Aquarium water is used to cure sickness, lack of minerals in water and to raise water hardness, for any other reason ignore it.

What Kind Of Salt Do I Put In My Guppies Tank?

I put aquarium salt or marine salt in my guppies tank, but marine salt has good mineral content.

Does Aquarium Salt Kill Beneficial Bacteria?

Aquarium Salt will not kill beneficial bacteria but aids in treating many fungal bacterial infections and parasites.

Will Salt Kill Guppies?

Yes, salt can kill guppies. So you should use marine salt or aquarium salt.

Will Aquarium Salt Kill Guppy Fry?

Yes, aquarium salt will kill guppy fry. It should only be used to cure any disease as guppy fry is very delicate to take care of.

Happy Guppy Keeping!

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