Death Lottery...

[Fire_an_Ice]

This is getting silly. Got 3 more female Gupps and a male yesterday from a reputable UK LFS that I've bought stock from before. My water is dead on, with regular changes, it's a well established community tank, yet each and every time I've brough female guppies home, one (and only one) out of the two or three has been dead, the morning after I put them in (After going through a good aclimiatisation routine as well, before you ask.) I know that travel can stress the poor critters out, but every time? Just wondering if this has happened to anyone else, or if it's just me that seems to posess this touch of death?! I'm half expecting all the fish to hide next time I go back to the LFS in case they're 'the one'

Any advice?

Cheers and beers

F&I B)

 

[blitztidus]

It could be stress. It could also be that they are not adjusting to the water well enough, how long do you leave them in the bag before letting them go, or do you just dump them in? you should be doing about 15 to 20 minutes of float time.

 

[Fire_an_Ice]

It could be stress. It could also be that they are not adjusting to the water well enough, how long do you leave them in the bag before letting them go, or do you just dump them in? you should be doing about 15 to 20 minutes of float time.

Yup, definately enough float time...25 minutes in the bag...15 just floating to adjust temp, then 10 mins with tank water added slowly, 1 small cup every 3-4 mins...

 

[smurfyy_2k3]

yeah one of mine died after i brought her home but before she left me she left me 13 little presents to replace her

 

[Fire_an_Ice]

Grrrrrr! Got home to find another one is Brown Bread! BU**ER. However, talked to LFS who were stupendously apologetic, they told me that damn near their entire batch (!) of female Guppies have died...Urgh! Have one left and have her in a hospital tank. Much nursing of sick fish back to health (with a bit of luck)



Perhaps I don't have the fishy touch of death at all. That's a good thing, right?

Any more advice would be WELL recieved

cheers!

F&I B)

 

[Annastasia]

Fancy Guppies are very inbred these days, and even the smallest amount of stress can cause them to die or get diseased. It's a shame, really. You can try adding a small bit of salt into the hospital tank water. Keep the lights out too, just to keep the stress as low as possible. Also, what are you feeding? Does she appear to be pregnant?

 

[blitztidus]

My reccomendation for EVERYONE who is looking into breeding livebearers is to buy them from different stores as then, if you resell the babies, they aren't inbred. There is also another + to this, You get better choices on fish too.

 

[Fire_an_Ice]

It's official. This sucks. 3rd one was looking peaky (generally lethargic, indifferent to other fish near her, not feeding) last night, so moved her into the hospital tank (with salt added, thanks Annastasia x) Started taking a little food (flake) and seemed a bit more active (no flicking/rubbing, not clamping - generally happier) but guess what? Dead as a dodo this morning. Rang LFS (who to be fair are doing their upmost to help) and have been promised 3 replacements on thursday when their delivery comes in. For a start off, I'm not to sure that this is wise as I thought that the fish would need time to de-stress after the transfer to the shop?

Annnnnyhow......was also greeted by my fiancee this morning with the glad tidings that one of my ORIGINAL female guppies was swimming head down and vertical. Swimbladder. FFS. Quick turn around of the hospital tank and in she goes. Waiting to get home from work tonight to find out the results of treatment.

Tested the water again...nothing doing, levels are dead on. Not overfeeding, regular 20% water changes carried out...every whim catered for?? Anyone suggest what might be going Pete Tong?

And I've got a cold.

And I'm at work.

And it's going to snow.

Arse.

F&I