Guppy Is Going Down Hill. Help Please!

[TetraFin]

I have currently got 4 guppies in my tank, and 1 of them has just taken ill. Can someone try to help me out please, I want to get the little fella back on his feet!

First off, water test results. Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, nitrate 20 - 40 ppm, pH 8.0.

Symptoms. First I noticed about 4 hours ago that this particular guppy had a very swollen belly, and it appeared slightly red, I didn't think anything of it. But I have just found him lying on his back at the bottom of the tank, looking very breathless, with it's belly still swollen.There is no apparent loss of colour, no signs of spots or anything else unusual, other than the swelling.

Many thanks for any replies!

 

[KCB]

Do his scales stick out? Like a pine cone?

 

[TetraFin]

Unfortunatly, in the time it took me to do the tests and post on here he died.

His belly was very swollen, and upon removing him from the tank I could see that the red was blood. I really hope this doesn't affect my other fish.

Do his scales stick out? Like a pine cone?

Yes, they were hard to see, but they were sticking out.

 

[KCB]

Unfortunately he probably had dropsy . Dropsy occurs when a fish has organ failure and fluid builds up in the body cavity and organs. It's difficult to find what caused it in your fish, poor water quality can be a factor but seeing as your results were fine it probably wasn't that.

Sorry for your loss

Here's a link that can give you a better explanation. Though it says it is caused by bacteria, there are many other things that can lead to dropsy.

http/www.aquaticcommunity.com/disease/dropsy.php

 

[TetraFin]

Unfortunately he probably had dropsy

. Dropsy occurs when a fish has organ failure and fluid builds up in the body cavity and organs. It's difficult to find what caused it in your fish, poor water quality can be a factor but seeing as your results were fine it probably wasn't that.

Sorry for your loss

Here's a link that can give you a better explanation. Though it says it is caused by bacteria, there are many other things that can lead to dropsy.

http/www.aquaticco...ease/dropsy.php

Thank you. It sounds like it after having a little read. One thing that it hasn't mentioned is is it contagious?

 

[-Craig-]

Unfortunately he probably had dropsy

. Dropsy occurs when a fish has organ failure and fluid builds up in the body cavity and organs. It's difficult to find what caused it in your fish, poor water quality can be a factor but seeing as your results were fine it probably wasn't that.

Sorry for your loss

Here's a link that can give you a better explanation. Though it says it is caused by bacteria, there are many other things that can lead to dropsy.

http/www.aquaticco...ease/dropsy.php

Thank you. It sounds like it after having a little read. One thing that it hasn't mentioned is is it contagious?

Depends what bacterial infection it is, Most bacteria only attacks weak fish, Try to keep your other one strong, maybe do a full tank clean just to be sure.

 

[Flute]

Sorry to hear that you lost him I would do a big water change now, and keep a sharp eye on the other fish. If any show any symptoms, let us know and we'll try and figure out what's going on