Guppy Goings On

[Christi_22]

Hi Guys

I am not sure if any of this is related, but, I have recently lost 2 guppies, the first, Tony a male, who just got paler and paler, and more listless, and last night died During this time (over a few days), Deborah (they were named after Men Behaving Badly Characters) suddenly developed completely black eyes, and this morning has disappeared??? I have searched the tank and she is not there. The tank is only 20 Gallons, so not exactly a wilderness? I don't have any predatory fish. Last night she was there, swimming about, and this morning, no trace..... The other fish seem to be thriving, even a couple of Guppy Fry that were rescued and placed in a breeder trap 6 weeks ago. They are now big enough, and have been released into the big tank!!

The water parameters are Ammonia- zero, NitrItes-zero, NitrAtes- 20.

I should add that I bought the tank second-hand in December with the fish, I don't know how old they were.

Its really horrible to lose fish, especially when you don't know why. I am new to taking care of fish/aquaria, but have read up big time, Still a lot of learning to do though, does anyone have any ideas???

Look forward to any replies

Cheers
C

 

[OldMan47]

You don't say how many fish you have but a typical 20 gallon will have quite a large number. That means that the missing fish may have died and the remaining fish may have eaten it. If the fish were over a year old, they might possibly be dying of old age. Guppies and similar fish do not have a very long lifespan. Your water parameters look fine as far as they go. Do you know the pH of that tank? Guppies tend to do best at a pH over 7.0 and as high as 8.0.

 

[Christi_22]

You don't say how many fish you have but a typical 20 gallon will have quite a large number. That means that the missing fish may have died and the remaining fish may have eaten it. If the fish were over a year old, they might possibly be dying of old age. Guppies and similar fish do not have a very long lifespan. Your water parameters look fine as far as they go. Do you know the pH of that tank? Guppies tend to do best at a pH over 7.0 and as high as 8.0.

Hi Oldman

The PH is 7.2. The Guppies, I think are definitely over 1 year, probably more. I have thought all the things you have said. I still find it surprising that there would be no trace of the Guppy. (bones)???

In the tank are: 1 BN Pleco, 2 Gold Goramis, 2 Dwarf Goramis, 8 Cardinal Tetras, 2 adult female guppies, 1 adult male guppy and 2 juvenile fry.

It must be the case that female Guppy has died and been eaten, unless one of my cats has figured out how to remove the lid. catch a fish and then replace the lid again lol

Thanks OM

C

 

[OldMan47]

Christi, I find it best that, when I have several possible explanations and some seem quite reasonable while others are a bit far fetched, that I believe the reasonable explanation. The cat strikes me as a bit far fetched. I am certain that a tank with 4 gouramis would make short work of a dead guppy.

 

[Christi_22]

Christi, I find it best that, when I have several possible explanations and some seem quite reasonable while others are a bit far fetched, that I believe the reasonable explanation. The cat strikes me as a bit far fetched. I am certain that a tank with 4 gouramis would make short work of a dead guppy.

Hi OM47

Well, I was joking about the cats, sorry if you missed that. I think your explanation is quite likely correct. Appreciate your input

C