Are Butterfly Cichlids suitable predators for Guppy babies?
I have a 54 liter (11.9 US gal.) aquarium with 2 male guppies, 2 female guppies, 1 whiptail catfish and too many baby guppies. Since I am afraid that the water somewhen turns bad because of these excess fry, I thought of maybe purchasing 2 butterfly cichlids. However, would they fit in there at all? And if yes, would the cichlids actually eat only the babies? I am sorry for them, but I do not know what to do with the babies otherwise.
Hello,
yes, they would - provided the water parameters are suitable (soft, slightly acidic, very good water hygiene). Butterfly cichlids are very sensitive concerning these matters.
The butterfly cichlids certainly eat only the young fish. You do not need to worry about the adult fish.
The solution of adding predators is in any case alright and resembles natural conditions. Statistically, only two juveniles per breeding pair may multiply themselves in nature. If there are more, the population will grow (into a population explosion in extreme cases); if there are less, the species will become extinct sooner or later.
Best regards
sera GmbH
Dr. Bodo Schnell