Guppies Being Eaten :(

[newbies01x]

Hi we have had our tank now for around 4 months,
we started off with 4 neons, 4 guppies and a plecko, within one day the plecko died, he didnt start sucking at all, then within 2 weeks all the guppies were gone, we then heard bad things about the shop we had got them from so wont be back.
Anyway we replaced the guppies (5) and plecko, (still have the 4 original neons!!) and addded 2 dalmation mollies, a shark tail (female) a rainbow shark and a silver algae eater.
We noticed quite soon that one of the guppies tails had been 'nipped' and within 2 days he was gone, found some small remains when sorting out the plants, and within the last few weeks all but one of the guppies has been eaten....any ideas why and by whom? we checked at the fish shop who could be in with who and were told they were all safe to be together? Really confused and upset, dont want to buy more guppies if they are just going to be eaten
Any advice or ideas welcomed...thank you x

 

[hanny93]

How big is your tank?
How long has it been cycled?
What are the dimensions of the tank?
Do you have live plants?
Have you added anything to the tank?
What do you feed?

Answer these and we will be able to help you much more

Although my first instinct is the rainbow shark and the 'algae eater'.

If you could post pics of the tank that would be excellent.

 

[lilfishie]

Hi and Welcome.

What size is your tank? did you do anything to cycle it before adding fish?

I think the 'shark tail' may be a swordtail? since you said its female.

The rainbow shark or the algae eater 'could' be to blame, google Chinese Algae Eater see if thats the 1 you have

 

[newbies01x]

Hi and Welcome.

What size is your tank? did you do anything to cycle it before adding fish?

I think the 'shark tail' may be a swordtail? since you said its female.

The rainbow shark or the algae eater 'could' be to blame, google Chinese Algae Eater see if thats the 1 you have

Thanks for replys

Sorry!! tank is 45 litre, it was cycled for 1 week before adding fish, not new tank so had been used up until day before we had it, cleaned the filters, made sure temp was ok, added plants 24 hours before fish.
We have live plants, only 2 though, they are fed twice a day with 'aquarian advanced nutrition'
Yes its a sword tail!! my mistke! And yes just googled chinese algae eater and thats what we have!
Temp is fine, steady temp since day 1.

 

[hanny93]

cycled for one week. hmm, how exactly did you cycle the tank?

and do you have a common pleco? if so it is way too big for a 45 litre, as is the rainbow shark and probably the swordtail.

 

[newbies01x]

We followed the instructions of the aquarium, did everything we were told, and i ALWAYS give them the size of the tank before i buy any fish, we have had fish since i was a child and i know how delicate the process is!

 

[hanny93]

You havent answered my question.

LFS advice is taken with a pinch of salt, a lot of lfs are there to make a sale, not saying all are.

Could you post a picture of your tank so we could identify species in your tank and who might be eating those guppies

 

[This Old Spouse]

If it's not the Chinese algae eater this time, it will be soon. Rehome it or take it back to the LFS today. Take the pleco back too. He'll grow to be a foot long. Too big for just about anybody (I REALLY WISH THEY'D QUIT SELLING THESE!!!

) And the rainbow shark should go back to the LFS or rehomed as well. He'll get to be about 6" long and will be very uncomfortable in that tank. The swordtail should be in a bigger tank, too.

When you cleaned your filter, did you replace the media inside? If so, you're starting a brand new fish-in cycle. Please read my link under my sig., "New to Fishkeeping?" to get all the good info about starting up.

You've got too many fish for your small tank, and your stocking is kind of all over the place. Best to do research on everything BEFORE you purchase to see what gets along with what, and how big everything gets, what temp they like, how big they get, what they like to eat, etc.

Welcome to the forum. We're glad to help in any way we can!