Can Guppies Eat Goldfish Food?
Can guppies eat the same food as goldfish?
Is it good or them, or is actually bad?
And what will happen if you switch them over completely?
Let’s find out.
TL;DR Summary
Can Guppies Eat Goldfish Food
Guppies can eat goldfish food but shouldn’t eat it for too long.
Goldfish food contains more carbs than guppies need and creates health problems down the line. Guppies need to eat food that is rich in protein- and any commercial fish food for tropical fish will do.
If you do end up feeding them goldfish food just make sure to supplement it with food high in protein like bloodworms or brine shrimp.
Guppies VS Goldfish
Guppies
Rainbow fish (aka Guppies) are a freshwater tropical fish native to South America. They are fairly small in size and known for their vibrant colors.
In the wild they are omnivores, meaning their diet consists of both live food and vegetables.
Goldfish
Goldfish are also freshwater fish, but they are native to China. Just like guppies, they are very easy to care for which makes them the of the most popular pets in America.
In the wild, goldfish eat primarily vegetables, but can also nosh small water creatures and fish eggs.
Goldfish Food Needs
So what do goldfish eat, and how do their dietary needs change whether guppies can eat goldfish food or not?
You know, at first glance it seems as if their diets are almost identical.
Let’s spend 60 seconds of your life and take a closer look:
Goldfish's Diet In The Wild
In the wild goldfish are mostly herbivores- which means they eat mostly plants and supplement it with some live food. Some of the stuff they’ll eat includes:
- Algae
- Insect larvae
- Crustaceans
- Zooplankton
- Small aquatic organisms
Goldfish's Diet At Home
Since goldfish no longer have to forage for their food, their diet looks very similar to the guppy’s.
Here’s some of the stuff they could eat at home:
- Commercial fish flakes or pellets designed for goldfish.
- Live or frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms.
- Fresh vegetables like peas, lettuce, and spinach (blanched or finely chopped).
- Specially formulated goldfish gel or pellet foods.
- Occasionally, small amounts of fruit (e.g., oranges or grapes) as a treat.
Guppies Food Needs
Now that you know a bunch of useless information about a goldfish’s diet, let’s move on to why you came here in the first place- guppies.
What Guppies Eat In The Wild
Guppies roam free in the rivers of the Amazon of South America. They spend most of their day foraging, and just like goldfish will eat anything small enough to fit in their mouth.
- Algae and plant matter.
- Insect larvae and small aquatic invertebrates.
- Zooplankton and small crustaceans.
- Organic detritus and microorganisms present in their aquatic habitat.
What Guppies Eat At Home
At home, guppies mostly eat:
- High-quality commercial guppy flakes or pellets.
- Live or frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms.
- Occasionally, they can be offered small amounts of blanched vegetables like spinach or peas.
- Specialized guppy gel or pellet foods designed to meet their nutritional needs.
Can Guppies Eat Goldfish Food- Why Not
Guppies shouldn’t eat goldfish food because they require more protein. Goldfish food is designed for herbivore fish, so it has more carbs than protein.
Here are 3 more reasons why goldfish food isn’t the best fit for guppies:
Size
Size is another reason why guppies can’t eat goldfish food. Goldfish pellets or flakes are typically larger and more suitable for their big mouths and slower feeding style.
I never tried feeding my guppies goldfish food, but if you do need to- just crush it before you feeding them.
Digestion Differences
Guppies and goldfish have different digestive systems. Guppies have relatively short digestive tracts, which means they require easily digestible food.
Goldfish have longer digestive tracts, allowing them to break down tougher plant material. Feeding guppy food to goldfish might not provide them with the nutrients they need, and vice versa.
Just remember that if you end up feeding them goldfish food, supplement in with protein.
Can Guppies Eat Goldfish Food -Frequently Asked Questions
What Human Foods Can Guppies Eat?
Guppies can eat an abundance of human foods, but some foods may be dangerous to them.
Let’s explore some of the foods you may already have at home that your guppies will be happy to munch on.
Can Guppies Live Off of Bread Alone?
Can they?
Probably. Human beings can live off bread alone too.
Is it a good life?
Bread won’t offer guppies nearly enough of the protein they need.
Since in nature, they eat a variety of live foods- like mosquito larvae and water fleas they get a lot of protein from these sources.
Since they need all of that protein, bread enough won’t cut it on the long run.
How Many Times Should You Feed Your Guppy Fish?
You should feed your guppy between 2-3 times a day.
What I usually do is feed them in the morning, then a snack (like brine shrimp) as I get back from work and at night as part of my night routine.
How Many Days Can Guppies Go Without Food?
You can get all the tips and tricks of how many days guppies can go without food here
Guppies can go about 3-7 days without food.
Keep in mind that if you are working with baby guppies, or guppy fry you only have about 1-2 days.
If you plan on leaving your guppies without food for multiple days, make sure their tank is clean and cycled.