Why is my fancy guppy sitting on the bottom?

Question

I have a fancy guppy that has been sitting on the bottom of the tank and breathing quickly for about a month. I recently added two guppies to the tank, thinking it was a community issue, but it hasn't gotten better. The levels are fine, I do regular water changes, but the water seems a little cloudy. The other two guppies are doing fine so far. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

First, be aware that a number of of answers to your question so far reflect this behavior in goldfish, not guppies: http://www.goldfishconnection.com/articles/details.php?articleId=145&parentId=12

If your guppy is female, she may be pregnant and soon to give birth. Even without the presence of a male, guppies can stoe the sperm from one mating and continue to give birth up to 6 months later.

Water quality could still be an issue because of the rapid breathing, but your other guppies should also be showing the effects - you don't indicate that they are. It wouldn't hurt to examine your tank maintenance schedule, though - are you doing partial water changes of 20-30% of the tank volume on a weekly basis and vacuuming the gravel when you clean?

Because the water is cloudy, I suspect the tank is less than 2 months running. In this case (or if you've added antibiotic medication to the tank recently), your tank is still in the cycling process. That would be the cause of ammmonia and nitrites in the tank. Your first guppy may just be more sensitive to the effects of these. You can determine if these are the cause by doing ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate tests of your water (or taking a sample to your pet store and having them test the water for you. You may just need to increase your water changes until all the ammonia and nitrite are being converted to nitrate (usually a few weeks to a few months from when the tank is set up).

See the link below for more info on cycling:

Answer 2

I have answered this question by someone very recently..

There are many problems that would cause your fish to sit on the bottom of your aquarium. I will share with you the most common ones and the cures.

1# - Water Condition:
Good fish care means keeping the water in your fish aquarium perfect. High ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and a low pH will all cause your fish to sit on the bottom of your aquarium. Change about 25% of water.

2#- Parasites:
Use our Prazi-Pro for flukes. Dimlin for anchor worm and fish lice. Plus, a salt level of .3% for the small parasites, will or may also solve your problem.

3#- Strong Water Current:
Fish care means taking that extra step. Here's a problem very few people check. A strong water current in your tank will cause your fish to stay on the bottom of your aquarium. They do not like a strong current, it would be like putting you on a treadmill 24 hours a day!!.

Good fish care means not over treating. The worst thing you can do is start treating your fish with all kinds of medications before you rule out the above causes first.

Answer 3

we desire extra information. maximum in all likelihood, it will be rigidity. Did you cycle the tank? cycling is the technique of organising up helpful micro organism to procedure fish waste. Ammonia is switched over to nitrite, a a lot less poisonous substance, it quite is then switched over to nitrAte, a good a lot less poisonous component. that's bumped off in spite of the truth that water variations or plant life. once you've a attempt kit, verify the water, ammonia and nitrite might want to continuously be 0. Nitrate is effective less than 40ppm. in case you do not purchase one, the aquarium pharm carry close is solid. do no longer mess with pH. Any given fish is effective in a huge decision, in spite of the truth that guppies perfer somewhat alkaline, per chance 7.5. A fluctuating pH will in basic terms rigidity out the fish extra. I highly doubt it truly is a lady, adult males in a large number of cases have complicated colourful fins, at the same time as the femlaes are dreary. even if it grow to be, pregnant guppies do not in basic terms "sit" on the bottom of the tank. also, what's the tank length? Guppies might want to a minimum of be in a 10 gal. Male guppies are pleasant and desire to be saved in communities, in a large number of cases one male to 2+ women, otherwise 5+ adult males to avert aggresion. also, with somewhat of luck you've adequate filtration, an impression filter out rated a lot severe than you tank length, you should have 5-10 cases turnover in accordance to hour. also, do not exceed a million in in accordance to gallon on small fish less than 4 inches. Over that you want a lot extra because the fish mass will advance extra. ultimately, for now attempt searching at you fish save for BIO-SPIRA. in basic terms that organic and organic product will paintings, any others in basic terms waste you funds. also, do water variations. generally you should do 25-50% a week. Now per chance 10-25% on a daily basis. solid luck which include your guppies, they are relaxing if no longer somewhat effortless, yet relaxing fish Oh yeah, and remember dechlorinator

Answer 4

What are they male or female. Do you have other fish in tank besides them.
Being tired is one of two things, Either they are being picked on or they are sick. Do you have good air flow from your stone? Is your filter working right?
These are things you might want to ck on.
Do you know how to tell if she is a female and is ready to give birth?
What is the temp in your tank and do you us aqurm. salt in it. Salt is very good for guppies.

Answer 5

6. Crashed on the Bottom
When fish crash on the bottom and do not swim, it is usually a sign that they are exhausted. There are many reasons a fish can become exhausted, but quite often they have been sick, and probably showed symptoms such as gasping, shimmy, or clamped fins, before they became tired and crashed on the bottom.

I added a good web site you can read on your fish.

Answer 6

Sounds like you have a sick fish, or a water condition. Check with the fish store,

Answer 7

It sounds like exhaustion, but it could also be that there are one or two fish nipping at his fins this normally causes the fish to retreat away from them, as long as he is eating I would not worry too much about him, but please just keep an eye on him, if it persists remove him to another tank, with some females

Answer 8

I know mine would go to the bottom when they were going to have their babies, but it didn't last that long maybe a few days. I don't know what is up .

Answer 9

well thats what happens to all my fish right before they die