If your fish is hiding, swimming oddly, gasping at the surface, losing colour, or not eating, it may be stressed. Common causes include poor water quality, wrong temperature, overcrowding, and poor nutrition. To help, keep the tank clean, maintain stable water temperature, avoid overcrowding, and feed high-quality food. Most fish recover within 3–7 days once the problem is fixed.

Guppies are the perfect pets for first-time fish parents. They are hardy, active, and very beautiful to look at. Now, while it is true that guppies are very low-maintenance pets, it is still important to provide your guppies with an ideal environment. If you get it wrong, it means stressed fish, cloudy water, and a whole lot of frustration. A well-prepared guppy fish tank setup ensures your little friend thrives in the most optimal environment possible.  So, how to set up the guppy fish tank right from scratch? Let’s understand how to set up a guppy fish tank. What Size Tank Do Guppies Need? Start with at least a 35–40 litre tank for 5–6 guppies. Many people think guppies can live in tiny bowls because they're small fish. While guppies only grow to about 1.5–2 inches, they're active swimmers who need space to move around. A slightly larger tank (50–60 litres or more) gives you even better results. This is because larger water volumes stay stable for longer. Temperature and water quality don't fluctuate as much, which means less stress for your fish. Try to choose a rectangular tank over a tall, narrow one. Guppies prefer swimming horizontally, and a wider tank gives them more room to explore. What Equipment Do You Need for a Guppy Fish Tank? Before you add water or fish to the tank, make sure you have the essentials. Here's what you need to set up a guppy fish tank. Fish Tank Filter Yes, you absolutely need a filter. It removes waste, keeps water clean, and supports beneficial bacteria that break down harmful toxins. For guppies, choose a gentle filter. Strong currents stress them out. Sponge filters or hang-on-back filters with adjustable flow work best. Heater Guppies are tropical fish and need water between 22-28°C. Unless your room stays consistently warm year-round, you'll need an aquarium heater. Get one with an adjustable thermostat so you can maintain steady temperatures. Sudden temperature changes can weaken your guppies' immune system and make them sick. Lighting and Thermometer Basic aquarium lighting is enough. It helps maintain a natural day-night cycle (8-10 hours of light daily) and brings out your guppies' stunning colours. Get a stick-on or floating thermometer to monitor water temperature regularly. Consistency is key to keeping your guppies healthy. Substrate and Decorations Guppies aren't picky about substrate, but adding them will make the tank look more natural. Fish tank decorations like live or artificial plants give guppies places to hide, rest, and explore. Caves, driftwood, and rocks give them personal space and help reduce stress. Avoid sharp decorations that can injure them. Steps to Set up Your Guppy Fish Tank Now that you have the equipment, let's go through the simple steps to get started. Step 1: Clean Everything (But No Soap) Rinse the tank, substrate, and decorations in regular water. Never use soap or other chemicals, as they are toxic to your fish. Even "aquarium-safe" cleaners are unnecessary. Step 2: Add Substrate and Decorations Place your gravel or sand into the tank, and add decorations that create space for fish to hide, as well as visual appeal. Make sure there is a large open area in the centre of your tank for the fish to swim. Step 3: Install Filter and Heater Install the filter and heater in the aquarium following the manufacturer's instructions. Be sure not to plug them in until the aquarium is filled with water. Step 4: Fill the Tank Add dechlorinated water slowly to prevent disturbing the substrate. Use a water conditioner to eliminate chlorine and chloramines. Fill the tank to just below the rim. Step 5: Turn On Equipment Turn on the filter and heater. Run the equipment for 24-48 hours to establish a stable temperature and initiate the growth of beneficial bacteria. Step 6: Cycle Your Tank  This step will take 4-6 weeks, but you cannot skip it. Cycling your tank will help create beneficial bacteria. It will then convert toxic ammonia (produced by fish waste) into less toxic compounds. Without the process, your guppies may become ill. Step 7: Add Guppies Slowly When your tank is cycled, add your guppies by floating the bag in the tank for 15-20 minutes. Gradually add tank water to the bag, then gently release the fish into the tank. Best Guppy Fish Tank Mates: Who Gets Along? Guppies are peaceful and social. They do well in community tanks with other calm, similarly-sized fish. Here's who works and who doesn't. Tetra Fish: Peaceful, small, and active. Tetra fish, like Neon Tetras or Ember Tetras, are excellent companions. Corydoras Catfish: Bottom dwellers that clean up leftover food. Peaceful, low-maintenance, and won't compete with guppies for space or food. Platies and Mollies: Similar size and temperament to guppies. These livebearers share the same water conditions and feeding habits, making them ideal for a peaceful fish community. Snails and Shrimp: Cherry shrimp and Nerite snails help keep the tank clean without adding bioload stress. They're completely safe with guppies. Fish to Avoid with Guppies Though guppies are friendly, not all species get along with them. Don’t mix your guppy with these species: Aggressive or Fin-Nipping Fish like Barbs (especially Tiger Barbs), Cichlids, and Bettas. Large Predatory Fish like Angelfish, Oscars, or any fish that sees guppies as food. Fast, Competitive Eaters who dominate feeding times can outcompete guppies for food.  Give your Guppies the Best Start You love your fish, and you want what's best for their health. A guppy fish tank setup doesn't need to be complicated or expensive. It just needs to cover the basics: clean water, stable temperature, gentle filtration, and compatible guppy fish tank mates. Do these right, and your guppies will thrive with vibrant colour, activity, and personality. Take your time with the setup, and choose food that supports both fish health and tank cleanliness. Rainbow Fish Food keeps your guppies healthy with nutrition that's easy to digest and won't cloud your guppy fish tank. FAQs  How many guppies can I keep in a 40-litre tank? You can keep 5-6 guppies comfortably. For more fish or guppy fish tank mates, upgrade to a 70–75 litre tank. Can guppies live in a small fish tank? Temporarily, yes. However, a small fish tank under 20 litres is difficult to keep stable long-term. Moreover, guppies need swimming space. Start with at least 40 litres for best results. Do guppies need a filter and heater in their tank?  Yes, absolutely. A filter maintains water quality and supports beneficial bacteria. A heater maintains the proper temperature range guppies need. Can I add guppies immediately after setting up the tank? No. You should wait 4–6 weeks to cycle the tank and allow beneficial bacteria to develop. This helps remove harmful toxins and creates a safe environment for your guppies.  

A calm tank can quickly become more alive when your fish starts moving rapidly between corners. The contrast between being stationary and moving fast, often off guard and leads to questions about whether something has changed. Over time, many people come to recognise this pattern as zoomies. However, fish do not actually get zoomies. Unlike mammals, fish do not experience emotional or playful energy bursts. What is commonly labelled as zoomies is a form of rapid swimming that is driven by environmental factors, everyday changes, or the fish’s natural activity cycle, rather than spontaneous excitement. Understanding why and how this behaviour occurs helps owners respond with confidence and care rather than unnecessary concern. What's Really Happening When Fish "Zoom Around"? When a fish does an abrupt, fast swim, makes an immediate directional change or has short bursts of energy while swimming, this indicates that there has been some kind of stimulation from the fish's environment.  Such behaviour is referred to as "darting" or "rapid swimming". Veterinary and behavioural research shows that these swimming bursts are typically triggered by environmental stimuli such as changes in light, water quality, enrichment, or social interaction rather than occurring at random. You can see your fish do it after feeding, during water changes, or in response to a fish being stimulated by light, movement, or social interactions. You may also observe these other behaviours: Sudden stops followed by bursts of movement. Tight turns near tank walls or corners. Brief circling before resuming normal swimming. Increased activity compared to the fish’s usual swimming pattern. Common Reasons Fish Suddenly Swim Faster Understanding the cause behind rapid swimming makes it easier to tell whether your fish is thriving or struggling. Stimulation and excitement  Fish may be more active when it is time to feed them or immediately after a water change has taken place. The fresh water increases the amount of oxygen available to the fish and decreases the amount of waste in the water, which increases the level of physical activity for the fish. Natural activity cycles There are many types of fish that exhibit increased energetic states at certain times of day (circadian rhythms) for short periods of time and then go back into an inactive state. This pattern of energetic states and inactivity is normal and should be considered as such. Social behaviour Some fish chase each other, some school together, and others engage in very brief territorial displays as well. If you especially want to build a peaceful fish community, understand that most of this type of interaction is completely normal and expected. Environmental stress Poor water conditions, rapid changes in temperature, overcrowded tanks or aggressive tankmates can lead to erratic swimming on the part of the fish as they try to leave the uncomfortable area. How to Tell If Your Fish Is Happy or Stressed You should learn to read your fish's behaviour in order to provide better care. Here’s how to tell the difference between relaxed swimming and signs of stress. These observations are based on swimming patterns and physical cues rather than emotional states, as fish respond primarily to environmental and physiological conditions. Signs of a Happy Fish: Smooth and controlled movement throughout the tank. Short bursts of speed followed by normal swimming. Predictable activity around feeding or tank maintenance. Purposeful movement rather than frantic pacing. Natural pauses between active periods. Signs of a Stressed Fish: Sustained, frantic movement without pauses. Repeated collisions with tank walls or decorations. Rapid swimming paired with gasping at the surface. Persistent pacing along the glass or corners. Hiding immediately after bursts of activity. Fins held tightly against the body during movement. Ongoing stress usually points to problems with water quality, tank conditions, or nutrition. A consistent feeding routine and balanced diet support stable energy and calmer behaviour.  When fish receive easily digestible, nutritionally balanced food, their bursts of activity or zoomies are more likely to appear as brief, controlled energy releases rather than prolonged or erratic swimming. Growel Rainbow Fish Food provides complete daily nutrition that supports digestion and immunity, helping maintain steady energy levels so active swimming remains normal and well-regulated rather than stress-driven. How Diet Shapes Fish Zoomies Good nutrition plays an important role in overall fish health, energy balance, and digestion, which can indirectly influence activity levels and stress response. Growel Rainbow Fish Food provides complete daily nutrition that supports digestion, immunity, and overall health when fed as part of a consistent routine. It is available in different pellet sizes, including micro, mini, small, and medium, to suit various ornamental fish, helping reduce overfeeding and leftover waste when the correct size is chosen for the species. The formulation includes fish meal, shrimp meal, soyabean meal, rice by-products, wheat by-products, soy lecithin, vegetable oil, spirulina, vitamins, minerals, astaxanthin, and yeast extract, supporting digestion, immunity, and colouration while contributing to better feed utilisation and cleaner tank conditions. Encourage Healthy Fish Zoomies With Proper Care Fish zoomies are usually a normal response to feeding, environmental changes, or natural activity cycles. These short bursts of movement help fish release energy and respond to stimulation in their surroundings. By observing swimming patterns, maintaining good water quality, and providing consistent care and nutrition, fish owners can better judge whether zoomies are healthy or stress-related. Growel Rainbow Fish Food supports digestion and steady energy levels, helping active swimming remain controlled rather than stress-driven. FAQs Do fish really get zoomies? While fish don't have what we see as zoomies in mammals, they do exhibit brief, rapid movements of swimming that can be called darting or rapid swimming. Are fish zoomies a good sign? Most times, short, controlled episodes of rapid movement in your fish are fine, but extended, frantic swimming can be a sign that your fish is stressed or uncomfortable. Will fish zoomies occur when my fish eats? Yes. Most fish will eat with excitement and will swim rapidly before or after eating because they have so much food energy and stimulation. Should I worry if my fish darts around all the time? You should definitely consider the possibility that your fish's continued rapid swimming is a result of some poor environmental conditions in their aquarium or that your fish is stressed. Can a fish's diet cause them to be hyperactive? If you're providing your fish with an easily digestible, well-balanced diet like Growel Rainbow Fish Food, then your fish should be able to maintain consistent energy and therefore should remain steadily active while swimming, as opposed to erratically.