Can a guppy live with platies?

Yes.

Both are comfortable at 72–80°F.

Plan on a tank of at least 20 gallons for both.

By tank size

Below 20 gallons there isn’t enough room for both, so the answer is no.

How to try it

Keep them in a tank of at least 20 gallons, since platies set the minimum. Add dense plants and floating cover so guppy fins have places to rest, and stock at least 3 of each with several females to each male.

1. Check that the tank is cycled and holds steady at 72–80°F, the range both species share (not the top of the guppy range), with pH 7.0–8.0.
2. Add plants, floating cover and a few hiding spots before the fish go in.
3. Add all the guppies and platies on the same day so neither group claims territory first. Aim for at least 3 of each, with several females per male.
4. Feed lightly, and watch closely for the first few hours. Brief flaring or a few chases are normal.
5. Keep watching daily through the first weeks, with a close look at the guppy males' long fins.

Warning signs in the first weeks

• Torn, split or nipped fins on guppies, especially the males' long tails. Any injury means separate the fish immediately.
• Wounds, missing scales or bite marks on any fish. Separate the fish immediately.
• One fish being repeatedly chased, cornered or pinned in a corner or against the glass. Separate the fish immediately.
• Males constantly pestering females, with females hiding all the time, clamping their fins or refusing food. Add more females and plants, and if it continues, separate the fish.

Backup plan: If you see any injury or one fish is being repeatedly chased or cornered, move the targeted fish, or the aggressor, to a separate tank right away. Don't wait to see if it settles down. Keep the two species in separate tanks, or rehome one of them.

How we reached this verdict

Side by side

More guppy pairings