Jamestm

On thursday I got 3 guppies and one is now dying in my tropical tank, he is upside down and breathing heavily and cant move, his colours are going and being replaced with large white blotches. Is there anything I can do to save him?

Lucy

Hi James,
Welcome to Fishlore.
I'm sorry your guppy is ill. I would put him in quarantine in case it's contagious and to keep anyone else from picking on him.
Since you just bought them, my guess he was already sick.

It's always good to quarantine new fish for 2 weeks before adding them to your tank. I made that mistake once, and lost 2 fish.

20 snails seem like a lot, although I have no experience with them, but I have read they are big waste producers.

Are you testing your water? If so, what are your water parameters?

Here is a link that might help you figure out what is wrong.
http://www.fishlore.com/Disease_Main.htm
Good luck, I hope he makes it.

Oh, I forgot, I would also do a water change, when was the last time you changed it?

susitna-flower

HI, WELCOME TO FISHLORE!



Sounds like you really do need to read the articles at the top of this page under "ARTICLES", on the nitrogen cycle, and keeping a freshwater tank.

Guppies are one of the sensitive fish that have to be acclimated slowly to a new tank. It sounds like your tank has been set up long enough for the cycle to be complete, but you may have high nitrates. How often do you change your water? Do you vacuum the gravel?

Sounds like this fish is a victim of stress, and may not make it. I agree with Lucy, you need to quarantine your fish in a hospital tank when you bring them home. That way you don't spread disease to your established tank. Good Luck

COBettaCouple

Welcome to Fishlore. He may be reacting to water chemistry or shock if he wasn't acclimated slowly to the tank water. What are you using for tap water conditioner? You'll want to look for the API master freshwater testing kit to find out what your ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are so that you can cycle your tank.

Do you have a picture to post? I would recommend changing 25-40% of the water daily for now.