Guppy Being Bullied

[rhian]

Hi

I have male guppies, and the smallest one is being bullied - it started with his tail being nipped, I thought at first it was the platys, but it seems to be the other guppies. Quite a lot of his tail has been nibbled away now, the edges look quite clean
He spend his time hiding in the floating plants, is there anytjing I can do?

 

[james_fish]

You could either introduce some females to keep them occupied (get twice as many females to what males you have)

Or, remove him from the tank.

James.

 

[rhian]

lol! I was thinking I should keep females, they might be more chilled out but I don't want a whole tank of guppies, as I only have one aquarium (much as I'd like more).

I think the little one might die though, he's not looking too happy hiding all day
He looked ok on the weekend, but today I can see a lot of his tail has gone

 

[james_fish]

You could try treating him by adding some aquarium salts, or putting him in a quarentine and giving him a salt bath?

James.

 

[rhian]

ok thanks, I'll try the aquarium salts or I have a carry case I could try the salt bath with, his lips look a bit reddened as well, I think he might have been bitten there too

 

[Twinklecaz]

Have you actually seen the other guppies do it? It could be some sort of fungus (what with the red lips.

 

[rhian]

hi, yes all the guppies were chasing him into a corner & biting him this morning, all his fins & his tail and his face. Half his back tail has gone, he had a long ribbon like tail, a bit like two sword shapes, and its stumpy now

I am concerned about disease as one guppy died recently, and when I went back to the shop for something else I saw they had sick, upside down guppies too....my guppy that died looked ok from the outside, and this one is swimming ok, just not eating much and being bitten every time he comes out - should I add any medicine to the tank? (apart from the salt)

 

[Twinklecaz]

No not until you're sureish what it is. I should just remove the bullied guppy and give him salt and then keep an eye on the others.

 

[fluffycabbage]

well i'd remove him immediately. do you know anyone who could take him? maybe someone on here could help you out.

 

[rhian]

I don't know anyone who can take him unfortunately, I live in Bristol if anyone can help him on here.

I do have a pet carrier I can use for a salt bath?

how much salt should I use? and how long should he stay in there?

 

[fluffycabbage]

oh im miles away i dont know about salt baths unfortunately.

you need to post this problem in the emergencies section,coz thats what it is. and then post in the classifieds section

 

[rhian]

thanks agin for all your help