Guppy Not Swimming....

[Mr Bee]

OK, I have 7 neons and 3 male guppies.


They were all fine and swimming and behaving normally this morning when I first got up. Made myself a cuppa and then went to feed them, today was a flake day!

They all ate the flake in the usual feeding frenzy style, but one of the guppies is now not really swimming about like the others. He is just sat (or floating) just under the water surface, well at the surface really. Still has his side fins flickering, but not really moving his tail, and just 'hanging' there. He was swimming fine just before, and it's literally as he had some food, he just stopped.

If I put my finger in, and towards him, he will swim away, but still using his side fins, or just sink lower (via swim bladder), but then comes back up to top away from my finger.
He's not breathing rapidly, or gasping at surface or anything, just like he's relaxing there, but its not the usual behaviour. Also, I was trying to decide if his belly looked bigger than usual, but I'm not too sure

Other than this behaviour, he looks healthy enough.

This seems really weird to me, as he was normal just a minute before this. Other 2 guppies are behaving usual, swimming about and swimming up and down in depth.


Did a test, and ammonia is zero, and nitrate is ~20ppm (well cycled 60L tank)

I took a picture, but had to leave for work, so cant upload it til I get home tonight.


Any ideas what this could be?

 

[Mr Bee]

Oh No....... I think he died!


I'm still at work, but my wife just phoned to say he looks dead, floating on top of water near filter, and not moving at all. Told her to make sure, and scoop him out if he has died.


What could have caused this, he was fine last night, and first thing this morning.

My wife also commented on how swollen his belly looked - could it have been dropsy??


Well established tank, with good stats, all other fish are (at the moment!) fine.....

How could he have caught this?
Is it likely all others have caught it (neons and guppies)?
How can I cure/treat/prevent this in my other fish in the tank?
How can I prevent this in future?

Right now, I'm worried about the possible effects on my other fish, and how I can prevent it, and what meds I should use.

Should I medicate NOW as a preventative action? - what do you recommend?

 

[monica]

HE could have been poisoned... Or it could be old age... Pretty much anything. If it was all within that short amount of time, it was something quick. Maybe a stroke?