guppy problemo?

Question

my pregnant female guppy has been swimming in 1 spot all of this week, but all of today has been swimming all over the tank in circles. (up and down + side to side) please could you help. non of my other pregnant females hve ever done this before. i need help. please

thanks

she died now. its so sad, but for future referance, could it have been her swim bladder?

Answer 1

I have heard that female guppies do this before they give birth, but none of my guppies have ever had babies so I don't know if it is true. So if you want a bunch of babies, you should put her in a breeder net of separate tank very soon, just in case she is ready to give birth. If she does not have the babies within a couple of days, then consider putting her back into the aquarium because a breeder can stress her out. Good luck with her (and the babies)!!

Answer 2

Swimming in one spot is actually a symptom called "shimmies" it usually is a sign of stress brought on by poor water quality. Do a series of small water changes (10% per day.),be as discreet as possible.(To avoid stressing the female). DO NOT try to move the fish, because stress this near to birthing will cause still births and possibly death.

Answer 3

Just to add to Pee Tee's answer, Shimmies is often the result of low salt content in the water. Many livebearers have this problem. When doing the receommended water changes add a little salt to the tank. A teaspoon per gallon should take care of their needs.

MM

Answer 4

Sometimes only fish know why they behave like they do!

I raise guppys too, and the only time mine have done that is when she is having babies and the males (or sometimes, other fish) will follow behind her trying to eat the babies when they come out, so she will swim erractically, or try to hide from them.

It's possible too (but not too likely), that she was swimming around and hit the glass in the aquarium, and knocked herself silly.

They may not be of much help, but that has been my experience.