Severe Guppie Problem!!!?

Question

My guppie is freaking out and smashing itself down on the bottom of the tank. I have three of them. One is really colorful, ine is sory of colorful and this one is pretty dull. They are feeder guppies that I have as pets. She is breathing hard and flaring her fins. What is wrong with her? Help me.

I've had my fish for three and a half weeks. I see no bumps on her or holes in her. She now looks like she is having little spasms. I took the other fish out of the tank.

I went to a pet store ans asked them about it. They looked at me like I was crazy and told me that they are called feeder guppies because they are supposed to be fed to other things. Pretty much, their advise was 'Just put it back in the tank and see what happens'.... I think it's going to die.

Answer 1

no need to panic, your guppie is just ironing out the kinks,once that's done, which could take.....awhile,he'll be back on track, as far as the others be glad you got them, but do they apprciate you? Even if sick guppie dies or just lives like a veggie, always show LOVE to it it will 4 u

Answer 2

You bought FEEDER fish! They are not meant to be kept as pets because they are cheap unhealthy fish. They are plain guppies, very young in overcrowded conditions and already diseased. It has some parasite that is itching like a mosquito bite would itch you. Nothing you can do about it now. Try salt and warm 82 degree water,and don't overfeed.
Unfortunately most feeder fish ARE unhealthy, some Petland stores won't deal with guppies. Aquarium Fish Magazine had an article about this a few months ago and mentioned that the fancy guppies also need slightly brackish water because of conditions in the nurseries.Feeding feeder fish to other fish sometimes make them ill,and sometimes infect them because diseases spread in the water.

Answer 3

Why shouldn't feeder guppies be kept in a tank?
Someone suggested that feeder guppies are sick, diseased fish - why would you want to such an animal to your larger fish? Sounds totally unreasonable/crazy.

The Pet store people could have had better info for you - feeder fish or not.
I would try some Maracyn II for 5 days=is an all purpose medicine
make a 25% water change first
then add medicine according to instruct. on pack
on day 6, make another 25% water change.

In future add some aquarium salt whenever you make a water change to kill off the bad kind of bacteria. Get this at the pet shop and add according to instructions (on pack).
Good luck

Answer 4

I recently got a couple of cold water fish and one of the books I have has a similar question about fish scratching themselves on gravel and ornaments. It says that the problem could either be parasites (early signs of like whitespot), which is sometimes a result of recent fish additions and another problem could be pollution, which sounds like what could be the problem with your tank as you also say that the fish is struggling to breather If you have lots of old food and waste at the bottom of the tank. The book also says that a partial water change and adding a parasitic remedy imediately, carefully following the remedy instuctions.

My books are for goldfish, but I would think that the sulotions would be the same. If in doubt ask an aquatic dealer or someone in a petstore as they'd be able to give accurate advice.

You might want to test the levels of ammonia, nitrites, nitrates (results of fish waste and can be harmful) in the water with a test kit. Also is your filter working properly?

Answer 5

Could be one of three things. Either there is a bully in the tank and the other is trying to get away. Two, it could be a water quality or temperature problem. High levels of ammonia, nitrates, or chlorine can have an adverse effect on very small fish. Check your water quality and do any necessary water changes. The third possible cause is that there is a parasitic infestation in the tank. Some parasites you can see, some you cant. Some bacterial infections can cause erratic behaviour like ramming and scratching against the glass or rocks. Just go down the list and start to figure out what it ISNT. From there it will be easier to narrow down what it is.

Answer 6

It sounds like a symptom called "flashing",the fish are trying to itch their sides. This can indicate a couple of different problems. Most likely is a water quality issue. Do you know how to do a proper water change? If the water quality is OK,then look for a problem with parasites,because the fish were raised to be feeders, the suppliers do not pay careful attention to their health,and parasites are not uncommon in feeders. This is a good reason not to use feeder fish with any other fish as they can spread disease and other pathogens. I hope this helps.------ Good luck,PeeTee

Answer 7

Sounds to me like someone is being the bully and one is trying desperately to get away...take the one that is at the bottom of the tank out for a day or 2 see what happens. Typically the colorful ones (male) pick on the plain ones (female) but the colorful ones beat each other up until one dies. Men.

Answer 8

This has happened to me to but with my fancy guppies,If you fish is still alife whin you get this you need to put it in a seporet tank and let it calm down for a copel of days.If you guppie is still freaking out then it is probly going to die preety soon

Answer 9

You don't say how long you have had them or how long this one has been acting that way aand that is very important info for this question. If they are new to the tank and that fish has been that way since you got them there is nothing to worry about, it will settle down.

Answer 10

If your guppy is rubbing its body on the gravel, I'd guess that it has an external parasitic infection. Check out the link below for descriptions and remedies.

Good luck!

Answer 11

Well recently I had a fish that died of parasites that was acting in that manner so my bet is on that. It could also be something else like maybe her face itches probably not but may be. Its kinda hard to say.
Is their any physical problems with her like bumps or holes?