Why Are My Guppies Staying In The Corner Of Tank? – What To Do About It?

A few days back, I bought new guppies from pet store and noticed some of guppy fish were huddled in the corner of the tank, so I wondered why are my guppies staying in the corner of tank?

Guppies are tropical fish and they like to move around the aquarium. That means something is wrong in the tank environment or in guppy.

If you are facing the same problem then don’t worry! You are at the right place.

In this article, I will discuss the most common reasons and solutions why do guppies stay in a corner.

Why Do Guppies Stay In The Corner Of The Tank?

In the same manner as human beings, guppy fish also feel stress. Stress is the main cause for guppies hiding in corner of the tank.

If you find guppy gasping for air, this is a clear indication of stress and there is something wrong in the aquarium. So guppies will stay in the corner.

I will discuss some reasons which I observed. This will help you locate the problem and take the timely action required to keep guppies happy.

Reason #1: Improper Water Condition

Water parameters play a huge part in guppies overall health and behavior.

Guppies are sensitive to any sudden change in water temperature. This causes stress which makes them sick very frequently.

If guppy fish stays near the heater in the corner, then the tank water is cold and guppies are trying to keep themselves warm by staying around the corner of heater. People ask on social media groups “Why is my guppy at the top corner of tank?” – When water temperature is warm guppies starts to suffocate due to low oxygen levels, so guppy stay at top corner of tank.

Inconsistent water pH level makes guppies uncomfortable and causes many diseases.

The poor water quality is the reason why guppy stays or hide in corner.

Solution #1: Sustain Ideal Water Quality

Establishing optimum water parameters for guppies is most important aspect of fishkeeping. Hence, proper guppy fish care includes ideal water temperature between 72 °F and 82 °F (22 °C and 28 °C), pH level and sufficiency of oxygen aids in guppies good health.

This ultimately helps in preventing water-related diseases.

---

Reason #2: Newly Introduced Guppy

A new guppy fish when bought from a pet store or online always experiences transportation stress. This is one of the reasons why the new guppy stays in the corner, hides near filter, heater, plants, rocks, and decoration.

The new tank environment is another reason why is my guppy in the corner. There is a substantial shift for guppy fish and they acclimate gradually to new habitat. The water parameters, temperature, and other tank conditions are different than previous surrounding.

Hence, new guppies hide or just stay in a corner of tank to feel safe. So just give some time to new guppies to adjust.

Solution #2: Isolation and Acclimation

• I take protective measures by isolating new guppy fish for atleast 7 days in a quarantine tank this ensures safety of other fish in main tank and also smoothens transition of new guppy to new surrounding.
• For some reasons, many times separation of new guppy fish is not possible. So, I rely on acclimation as an ideal alternative, when there is a shortage of quarantine tank.

Many newbies ask on online forums How to acclimate new guppy fish easily:

I am sharing my acclimation method to make your journey smooth.

• Start with floating the new guppies sealed bag in the aquarium for 20-25 minutes.
• The bag will slowly adapt to aquarium temperature.
• Now this is the correct time to open the bag and let the guppy fish swim into the new home.
• This helps new guppy fish adjust to new water parameters.
• Don’t mix bag water into the aquarium.

---

Reason #3: Injured or Sick Guppy Fish

If you see guppy stays in one corner for a long time or very often, then something wrong with your fish. Guppy might be sick or wounded in a fish fight.

It is crucial to know the actual reason behind guppies behavior which will help you to treat guppy on time. You can start with thoroughly observing guppy and look for any signs or symptoms of illnesses like columnaris, fin rot, swim bladder, and other bacterial infections or parasites

Guppies become inactive due to these diseases, hence you will find guppy staying in the corner of tank. During their recovery guppies will stay in comfortable spots such as corner of tank.

Solution #3: Cure Sick Guppy Fish

Prevention and timely treatment are the keys to good health of guppies. When guppies are behaving differently I follow this method regularly.

• Observing guppies frequently helps to locate any problem.
• Guppies might show symptoms like lack of appetite, breathing hard, change in fish color, white spots, and fin damage.
• Compare the sick guppy fish with the other healthy guppy.
• Quarantine the ill guppy fish and give proper treatment.
• If not cured on time, then guppies may die soon.
• Weekly cleaning and partial water changes help prevent the spread of infection or parasites.
• In case of doubts regarding disease signs and treatment, you should consult Vet.

---

Reason # 4: Ammonia Spike

Rise in ammonia level is one of the reason why are all my guppies staying at one corner of the tank.

Guppies are unsafe in a one-week-old cycled new aquarium setup as the tank might be uncycled and beneficial bacteria are not able to break down ammonia. Further, ammonia spikes when there is leftover food, fish poop, dead plants, or sick guppy fish.

The water becomes toxic due to high ammonia levels which is harmful for guppy fish and they look for a safe place that might be staying in the corner of tank.

If you see there is a behavioral change in guppies like swimming difficulties, gasping air, staying still in corner, and not eating food, then ammonia spike is the cause of this problem.

Solution #4: Removing Ammonia From Guppy Tank

When I encounter high ammonia in my aquarium, I use these steps to restore water quality:

• New aquariums do not cycle up to 3 weeks, so introduce guppies to new tank after that.
• For an established tank, change filter media and wash all decoration, rock as well as other equipment with chlorinated water
• Perform a partial water change and use water conditioner to eradicate any toxins.

---

Reason # 5: No Or Few Hiding Areas

When you put guppies in a community tank where they need to share space with aggressive tank mates, this is why are my guppies staying in the corner of tank.

You must know guppies like peace in their tank and they are socially compatible with many fish species, but there are some fish like angelfish, cichlids, and bala sharks which are not suitable for guppies.

Hence, guppies are threatened and will show abnormal behavior like staying in a corner.

Guppies to feel secure in the main tank they look for hiding areas or decoration. If your aquarium doesn’t have enough spots to hide then guppies stays in corner till they feel safe.

Solution # 5: Compatible Tank Mates And Include Hiding Space

• I prefer to keep all suitable tank mates in an aquarium such as guppies, mollyfish, cory catfish, and platyfish.
• If you plan to put all fish species in a community tank, then try to incorporate small caves, decorations, plants, and round-shaped ornaments.

---

Reason # 6: Pregnant Guppy Is About To Give Birth

The most common reason for female guppy hiding in corner is that she is in labor and about to release guppy fries for which she needs a comfortable place.

If other guppy fish are behaving normally then delivery is only reason for this behavior. So be calm and keep on observing pregnant guppy labor symptoms like contractions, lack of appetite, breathing heavily, aggressive behavior and staying still in the corner of tank.

This is normal in case of pregnant female guppy

Solution #6: Care Of Pregnant Guppy Fish

I am always excited to see fries, so I do all my preparation well in advance:

• Preparing birthing tank or breeder box.
• Separating female pregnant guppy just before giving birth to avoid unnecessary stress.
• Maintain perfect water quality and temperature.
• Feed a balanced diet rich in nutrition

---

Reason # 7: Overpopulated Guppy Tank

An overcrowded tank is the reason for the guppy staying in bottom corner of tank.

When guppy tank is small and fish are more, this invites many problems like swimming difficulty, poor water condition, less oxygen, and filters getting dirty frequently.

Guppies will fall sick and become susceptible to diseases.

Solution #7: Population Control In Guppy Tank

I use these techniques in all my guppy fish tank:

• A general rule to remember is one inch of guppy fish requires one gallon of tank water.
• Ideal gender ratio is for each male guppy fish there should be 3 female guppies.

---

Reason # 8: Too Many Lights

High brightness in guppy tank makes them hide in corner of tank.

Guppies feel uneasy due to intense aquarium lights. They are not able to swim properly all because of the extreme brightness in tank.

Hence, all guppies are staying at one corner of tank.

Solution #8: Mild Tank Lights

A simple solution is to install or prefer cooler shade of light which makes guppies comfortable. Guppies can now easily move around the tank and now will not resort to corner.

---

Conclusion

This article explains the reasons why your guppies stay in the corner of your tank. The possible causes are transportation stress, new to aquarium, aggressive tank mates, strong tank lights, inadequate water temperature, disease or illness, lack of hiding spots, poor water conditions, and pregnancy.

Simple solutions like acclimation, adding hiding spots, quarantining sick guppy, proper water change, using an aquarium heater and aquarium chiller, dimming aquarium lights and opting for friendly tank mates help your guppy to stay happy.

Please feel free to share your experience about guppies staying in the corner of tank in the comments. This will help other readers.

---

FAQS

1. How Do I Know If My Guppy Is Stressed?

When the guppy behaves abnormally such as changing in swimming patterns, rubbing its body on rocks or plants, hiding frequently, laying at the bottom, or hitting the bottom of the tank indicates signs of stressed guppies.

2. How Do You Relax A Stressed Guppy Fish?

The best way to relax guppy fish is to change water weekly and using water conditionerhelp improve the quality of the water and reduce the stress of guppies.

3. Why Are My Guppies Staying In One Spot At The Top Of The Tank?

Guppies are top dwellers, they are compelled by natural behavior to stay in one spot at the top of the tank.

4. How Long Does It Take For Guppies To Get Used To A New Tank?

It takes 1 to 3 weeks for new guppies to get used to a new tank.

Happy Guppy Keeping!

---