Scared Guppies!

[emmaisaguppy]

Hi

Have 3 guppies which have been fine in my tank for 6 weeks or so. Earlier today added 2 rams and some neon tetras. The new fish seem to be doing fine but the guppies are now staying right at the surface. They aren't gulping but don't seem to be moving much! They just seemed to be terrified! Is there any chance they have a disease or are they just playing it safe for now? Anything I can do to help them?

Many thanks
Emma

 

[mlawson]

They may feel threatened by the rams. Rams and tetras should ideally not
be kept together as Guppys are very delicate. Their fins will be nipped
continuously be the Rams and/or Tetras.

How large is your tank?
How long has it been setup?

 

[gsta13]

Hi

Have 3 guppies which have been fine in my tank for 6 weeks or so. Earlier today added 2 rams and some neon tetras. The new fish seem to be doing fine but the guppies are now staying right at the surface. They aren't gulping but don't seem to be moving much! They just seemed to be terrified! Is there any chance they have a disease or are they just playing it safe for now? Anything I can do to help them?

Many thanks
Emma

Just give them a little bit of time they will be out and about in no time. Do have a airstone or any real plants? i doubt that there wis suddenly a lack of O2 in the water if they have been ok for 6weeks or so, probly jus like u said bit scared.
Greg

 

[emmaisaguppy]

Hi

Have 3 guppies which have been fine in my tank for 6 weeks or so. Earlier today added 2 rams and some neon tetras. The new fish seem to be doing fine but the guppies are now staying right at the surface. They aren't gulping but don't seem to be moving much! They just seemed to be terrified! Is there any chance they have a disease or are they just playing it safe for now? Anything I can do to help them?

Many thanks
Emma

Just give them a little bit of time they will be out and about in no time. Do have a airstone or any real plants? i doubt that there wis suddenly a lack of O2 in the water if they have been ok for 6weeks or so, probly jus like u said bit scared.
Greg

Thanks. They are still hiding up on the surface this morning. They will swim down a little to grab food but they take it straight back up top to eat (at least they are eating). I left the lights completely off all night to try to make them feel more secure. The rams and tetras don't seem to be being at all agressive to them so I'm not sure what it is that has scared them so much. Is there anyhting I can do ( that dosn't involve buying a seperate tank) to make them feel a bit better? The Rams and tetras seem to be liking their new home. To answer your questions, I do have airstone, and real plants. The aquarium has been set up for about 8 weeks and the guppies have been in for about 6 weeks on their own. Any advice appreciated.

Thanks
Emma

 

[gsta13]

My rams didnt like the airstone i had in my tank so i had to put more plants in and gave them a few more hiding places they came around arfter a day or two. jus keep an eye on them they should realise there safe soon
Greg.

I havent ever heard of rams nipping the fins of guppies, i had better keep an eye out for this. thanks for the heads up

 

[Rhiannon]

Well I was advised that I could have rams and guppies together, so I went and brought 2 rams - a boy and a girl, and wouldnt ya know it..the male ram is HORRIBLE to my guppies.

They may feel threatened. Make sure you check for bad behaviour from the rams especially at meal times.

 

[emmaisaguppy]

I was told in the fish shop that Rams would be fine with the guppies.

This morning, after feeding, the guppies came back down to the lower levels and everyone in the tank seemed to play fair. The Rams don't seem intersted in the guppies but whenever they come face to face the guppies do run away so I guess that they must have bullied them when they were first introduced, perhaps in order to establish some kind of pecking order?!

I do have a seperate problem now though. One of my neon tetras has a bit of a problem. When he stops swimming his body tips into a head stand position. Is this swim bladder disease? He also seems to have less colour than the other tetras.