One guppy dead, rest of the tank gasping!

[dwarfgourami]

My male guppy has been looking off colour for a couple of days, since he lost 3 chunks out of his tail (either finrot or nipping by male platy). Treated him with salt and anti-finrot, but by yesterday evening he was looking bad, not moving much, seemed bloated, though it was hard to see as he had such a tiny body. This morning found him dead in the tank. We miss him terribly as he was such a little character, but I was not very surprised, he always did look weak and inbred.

Reckoned he had succumbed to a combination of finrot and heat, am struggling to keep temperature down. Fished him out and did a 25% water change.

Came home this evening to find the other 5 livebearers gasping at the surface and looking really rough. Temperature in the upper 20's ©, and faint traces of nitrite in the water. Am doing another 20% water change with cool water, and adding some salt to combat the nitrites. The tank is a 60 ltrs (13 gallons) and now contains 3 platies and 2 guppies (poor little Prince ). Normally do weekly water changes but have been doing a bit more lately (and yes I do dechlorainate. Also, this is not the same tank where I lost the cory recently. No changes in my routine.

Please help- anything I should do? I think it's the hot weather but can't be sure.

 

[Angel Lady]

I would add some melafix. Is the ammonia ok in the tank. I have had so problems with heat also. I made me up some ice packs and set them in my fan and pointed it torwards the fish tanks during the day it did manage to keep the temps in the tank to where my fish wasnt so distressed. This is just a thought I hope I they get better soon for you..

 

[dwarfgourami]

The ammonia is 0. As far as I know, there is no lfs near me that sells melafix. Is it available in the uk, does anyone know? Haven't even got a fan, that should probably be my first purchase?

 

[breezer40]

Melafix is available in most of the LFs around here but if you can't get it local then you can order online from places such as this

http/www.aquatics-online.co.uk/listsecti...tp=100&rets=220

 

[dwarfgourami]

Thanks!

 

[Annastasia]

Is there enough oxygen in the water? When the temperature rises, they need more oxygen. Usually I add another airstone, when it's hot. Also, be careful with salt, Guppies can be a little sensitive to this. Some is okay, just like you are doing, but don't add too too much.

As for your first Guppy...if he had chunks, it was most likely nipping. Fin-rot progresses more slowly, usually. Not just all of a sudden, chunks gone. Or if you had another male Guppy in there, it could have been him.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Thanks alot.

Will get an airstone for the future. Should have thought about oxygen before, but didn't click as there is quite a strong current in there from the filter.

Think it was probably originally nipping by male platy, who has turned into a bit of a bully, but it turned ragged after a few days, so may have been secondary infection.

The most frustrating thing is- I haven't been able to check on them this morning as I have people staying in that room and they're still asleep. It is cooler today.

They seeemed to perk up when we did a small waterchange last night, I suppose we stirred in some oxygen for one thing.

Am going very easy on the salt.

 

[twinsmom]

guppies are very sensitive fish. It is best not to have to much of a change in temp. all at once, as it may cause shock. I know I messed up alot of guppies that way. If you want to lower the temp during water changes, do it gradually. a big change in temp. causes a lot of stress, and it could lead the way to other problems. Annastasia is quite right. With higher temps, the amount of oxygen in the tank is decreased, so your first purchase after/with a fan should definitely be an air stone. Hope I helped some.

 

[pjfish]

Your first post said you had some nitrites. That could be part of your problem. Better keep an eye on that and keep changing water.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Have bought an airstone today- thanks for the suggestion! Yesterday I tried to improve the ventilation in the room and left the tank lid part open, which seemed to help. Everybody is now back to normal and begging for food which is a good sign. Oxygen seemed to be the answer. I doubt if I could have saved Prince, though, he was never strong and went downhill very quickly after his tail went bad.
The nitrite was a VERY faint trace, which I put down to converted ammonia from the dead fish. Have been doing water changes and the stats are now fine (ammonia+nitrites 0).

 

[Annastasia]

Yay, it's great to hear they are doing better!!

Sorry about Prince though. Since Guppies are so inbred and fragile, usually once they start going downhill, it's hard to save them.

 

[dwarfgourami]

"Since Guppies are so inbred and fragile, usually once they start going downhill, it's hard to save them."

Yes indeed, and he was a particularly unhopeful specimen- one of those tiny things with an enormous red tail. I knew as soon as we got him home (not my choice) that this was going to spell trouble. Next time I shall insist on buying the sturdiest and plainest male in the shop. Still, he was a plucky little thing for all his handicap.