Why Can't I Keep Guppies

[purple haired dolphin]

All my water stats are fine, Ph is around 7 to 7.5.

I've got 5 neon tetra, 3 mollies, 3 platties, 4 cories and a few baby mollies, platties and swordies, plus 3 baby guppies.

The trouble is my adult guppies all die, at first they were fine and I had one for about 6 months, but over the last couple of weeks they've all started to do the same thing.
First the go to the top of the tank, then their tails start to droop, from about halfway along their body, then they die. It's happened to all except 2, and they both look like they're doing the same thing. It happens to both make and female, the last one was a heavily pregnant female, last night.

All other fish are fine and happy.

Anyone any idea on what might be causing it. It's such a shame cos I like guppies, they're so pretty

 

[catxx]

where are you getting your guppies from?

 

[purple haired dolphin]

where are you getting your guppies from?

different shops, I don't think that's the problem. Could be wrong though

 

[dabaers]

What size is your tank? How long has it been cycled?
Some gups can be more sensitive to water quality issues that others may not be. So water stats being "fine' may not be so fine for them.
What are your ammonia , nitrite and nitrate readings?
Also could be something like an internal parasite that is being spread around.
Are any rubbing themselves up against gravel or ornaments? or having thing white poop?

Kath

 

[purple haired dolphin]

150 ltrs
cycled 8 months ago
ammonia = 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 40
Ph 7

no white poo no rubbing, they just get poorly and die. All other fish are fine, happy and healthy

 

[catxx]

guppies are very overbred these days and consequently are not a hardy species of fish, is it possible that the different shops you get yours from have a similar or same supplier? it could just be a weak line thats going around.

 

[purple haired dolphin]

guppies are very overbred these days and consequently are not a hardy species of fish, is it possible that the different shops you get yours from have a similar or same supplier? it could just be a weak line thats going around.

maybe, but they were all fine until a few weeks ago. Some I'd had for 6 months, others just a few days, then they all started doing the same thing.

 

[dwarfgourami]

guppies are very overbred these days and consequently are not a hardy species of fish, is it possible that the different shops you get yours from have a similar or same supplier? it could just be a weak line thats going around.

maybe, but they were all fine until a few weeks ago. Some I'd had for 6 months, others just a few days, then they all started doing the same thing.

My guess would be that the new ones brought in some bacterial infection, guppies can be very prone to these.

 

[fishcollector]

Are you observing any aggression between the male livebearers?
Do you have a 1:3 gender ratio or at least a 1:2?

I breed "hybrid" guppies to keep them healthy

 

[Larry_the_lobster]

Are you observing any aggression between the male livebearers?
Do you have a 1:3 gender ratio or at least a 1:2?

I breed "hybrid" guppies to keep them healthy

with what? other than endlers. I cant think of much else to do this with arent platies and mollys a little big to get it with a guppy?

 

[vancouver]

I have the same problem with guppies.. so pathetically weak they die after they have 1 drop of babies.

 

[MaddieJ]

I find the males are very weak. I cant keep them longer than two weeks. Yet I have had three females now for a few months and am even in the process of raising 7 healthy fry. I think the Guppies going around these days are just so very weak through over breeding

 

[JaminRat]

I have the opposite (kind of) problem I have 3 females to one male (adult) and more fry than I can count. I lost 1 male within a few days of bringing him home from the LFS but all others are very healthy. I am now at the point that I need to give some away! I have approx 20 fry which need new homes so if anyone would like them give me a shout. There is more appearing every day so no shortage.

From what I can tell Guppies prefer med hard to hard water but although I haven't tested it I know I live in a softwater area so make no sense to me why I am not strugling to keep them.

 

[mattb]

I have the opposite (kind of) problem I have 3 females to one male (adult) and more fry than I can count. I lost 1 male within a few days of bringing him home from the LFS but all others are very healthy. I am now at the point that I need to give some away! I have approx 20 fry which need new homes so if anyone would like them give me a shout. There is more appearing every day so no shortage.

From what I can tell Guppies prefer med hard to hard water but although I haven't tested it I know I live in a softwater area so make no sense to me why I am not strugling to keep them.

I have the same problem, only had my two females and one male for three weeks in their new tank and boom, 15 fry, i thought the other fish were meant to eat fry! Not in my tank, they look at them maybe dart at them and then just give up. Il soon be looking to move some of my fry on as well