Female Guppy Exploding In Size

[Me4noreason]

I have five fish in my ten gallon tank a algae eater, 2 male guppies, 1 female, and a "baby" guppie at about 1/2 inch. The female has laid eggs before including the 1/2 guppie but over the last week she has gained an incredible amount of size to the point where she can no longer swim upright because the weight of her frontside pulls her head downward and now she's resting at the bottum of the tank on her head. Besides that she appears to be perfectly healthy. It looks like she is overstuffed with eggs and is about to explode literally. She probably weighs three times as much as the males now. Any recomendations on what I can do?

 

[*Fishkies*]

Well just for future reference. Guppies are livebearers and do not give eggs. This means that what you see in her are actually baby fry, who when they come out will be alive and free swimming in the tank. Also if your lucky you should be able to see little black eyes in her tummy. These are they eyes of the babies.
It sounds like she could be quite well developed so she should deliver any day. Just be sure to keep her water at a comfortable temperature around 78-82F degrees. This will help her to deliver those babies a bit soon too sometimes. Also be sure there are plenty of hiding spaces for her fry and herself.

Best of luck!

Also just be sure that your guppy, has been pooing lately. If you have not seen her poo at all. There may be other problems to look into.

 

[Rooster]

Yep - get those cigars out ! LOL

 

[Me4noreason]

So a female fish being so fat that she can't swim upright is normal when their pregnant? and by the way she isn't really"pooping" very much and when she is, its white.

 

[*Fishkies*]

Hmm...possible constipation?
Do her scales seemed raised at all? Does she look like a pinecone at all??

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

If she looks like a pinecone it's dropsy and there won't be much you can do for her...

If it's constipation you can try feeding her some blanched and skinned peas.

 

[Lord Spooky]

could be constipation. try not feeding her for a few days.

 

[Me4noreason]

Some of her scales are raised so maybe its dropsy? So if it is what can I do to prevent it happening again and what exactly is it? Is it most likely going to die?

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

An article on Dropsy: http/www.fishjunkies.com/Diseases/dropsy.php

 

[Me4noreason]

An article on Dropsy: http/www.fishjunkies.com/Diseases/dropsy.php

Is says to try using espon salt. Not familiar with it. Where can I get it and is it possible an item I already have in the house?

 

[*Fishkies*]

You possibly have it in the house. It is literally called Epson salt, around my location (USA) I have found it at a Wal-mart in the health and beauty section. You can also try treating with Maracyn-2, it says it treats dropsy.

Where-ish are you located?

 

[Me4noreason]

Hmm... today the fish appears to be doing better and is no longer stuck on the bottum of the tank, but the raised scales are very clear like before. Could it be getting better?

 

[eskcarr]

You possibly have it in the house. It is literally called Epson salt, around my location (USA) I have found it at a Wal-mart in the health and beauty section. You can also try treating with Maracyn-2, it says it treats dropsy.

Where-ish are you located?

Well agread normal household Epson salt but in light moderation start really ridiculisly little and add more untill you see a slight change in atitude then release about a tenth of water(depending on size of the tank) and ad a little fresh water slowly. Hopefully this can help!

Good luck