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Post by goldenpuon on Jan 27, 2009 15:57:27 GMT -5
I have a male guppy that has been seeming to have trouble swimming upward (much like my betta) and has been at the sucking air at the top more than usual and breathing rapidly. I just switched his tank not to long ago to seperate the males from the females who were breeding like crazy. The male seems to get stressed very easily and seems to get very nervous whenever I look at him. None of the other males are breathing rapidly although they still seem to be adjusting to their tank and are also very skittish. For some reason, siphoning both in their tank and the tank they were in before freaked them out and they haven't gotten over it yet. Anyway, this male I have is almost 1 1/2 inches (max size for a male) and was very large when I got him. I've had him so far for over 6 months. He seems to get worse after water changes before he clams down again. He is in a 5 1/2 gallon barebottom tank with fake plants, a hydro sponge 1 filter, a heater with a default setting of 78 F (which is what it is at), and 5 other male guppies. I'm not sure what is going on with him but I am concerned about him. Any ideas on what this is?
Thanks!
Renee
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Post by Carl on Jan 27, 2009 17:29:51 GMT -5
How old is he?
What are your water parameters in this tank?
Is he with the Betta that is sick or has he been at any time in the last 3 weeks?
This could be nothing, or he could have an infection that is affecting his respiration and buoyancy.
Age can also be a factor as well.
Carl
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Post by goldenpuon on Jan 27, 2009 18:32:43 GMT -5
He was large when I got him as I said ( nearly 1 1/2 inches). Guppies only live 1 1/2 to 3 years and I have had him I estimate a over 6 months. He has not been in with the betta. in fact, he has had no contact. I keep the equipment for my guppies and bettas strictly seperate.
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: between 5 and 10
PH: 6.9 (I am adding SeaChem Buffer now)
Hardness: 130
KH: 100
Chlorine: 0
I did not test for ammonia but withe the rest of the numbers, I can pretty much guess it is 0.
This tank was actually cycling a few weeks ago but the fish showed no signs of distress and the nitrite never went above .5 when I tested it. The nitrates at the time were about 20 and I never did test for ammonia when it cycled to save money on test strips since everything was going well.
I just remembered, last time the PH, GH, and KH went too low, my female guppies stressed and were at the top more. that could be the problem. I'm adding the buffer now.
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Post by Carl on Jan 27, 2009 19:37:01 GMT -5
Yes, your GH is too low.
Please keep in mind that the buffer is primarily for KH and Ph (which does need some adjustment as well), however it only slightly adjusts the GH and important minerals contained there in.
I would add a piece of the Wonder Shell I gave you when it arrives as this will help for this aspect of your water quality more than the Buffer.
Age may be a factor as well Renee
Carl
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Post by goldenpuon on Jan 27, 2009 19:58:19 GMT -5
How old would you estimate him if he is 1 1/2 inches long? I got him from a specialty petsore (Highland Tropical) and there were not other guppies of his color/variety to compare to. When I got him, it was with another male who is smaller and is still alive rigth now and doing fine. They are actually in the same tank.
I added teh SeaChem Buffer. I will keep a closer eye on my water quality. My water's KH, GH, and PH is naturally low so all the more reason to be careful about adding enough Buffer.
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Post by Carl on Jan 27, 2009 20:24:05 GMT -5
How old would you estimate him if he is 1 1/2 inches long? I got him from a specialty petsore (Highland Tropical) and there were not other guppies of his color/variety to compare to. When I got him, it was with another male who is smaller and is still alive rigth now and doing fine. They are actually in the same tank. His age is anyone's guess, however based on the size when you got him, he could already be an older guppy now, or he may have just grown to the size he was when you first purchased him. Carl |
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Post by goldenpuon on Jan 28, 2009 15:47:47 GMT -5
Good news regarding Mr. Guppy. When I came home from school today, he was not breathing heavily but still with the boucany problem. What I think is going on is when he was breathing fast, he was probably stressed out because one occasion I caught him doing that, was when it was dark and suddenly I turned a light on and freaked him out. Also, he has been like this ever since I put him in the tank. As far as I know this was not happening when he was in with the females. At this point, my best guess is he as well as the others are still adjusting and the siphon I use to clean their tank bottom that really get them scared. If things odn't improve, I will look into something for a gill paraiste but for now, I will let everything be.
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Post by Carl on Jan 28, 2009 17:24:24 GMT -5
Good news Renee!  I would just keep an eye out for now and maintain good water parameters (don't forget to add a piece of the Wonder Shells I sent you when it arrives) Carl |
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Post by goldenpuon on Jan 28, 2009 18:11:09 GMT -5
Yep, I'll do that that too. I think I'm gonna have to start to keep a daily list of who to medicate and what to do for each fish. lol They're not as much when they're well but with this many, once they get sick, things get crazy!
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