LoriSilverstar

Hello everyone!

I was wondering if anyone could give any advice as to what I can do to help my guppies get better?

I have a 5 gallon tank, that has a heater that maintains it at 78 F. I don't currently use any test kits, because my guppies hadn't had any problems until recently. I've had the tank set up since January 2009, though I have had to move it twice (from and back to college). I have several guppies (mainly because they don't stop breeding) and two shrimp (currently in a separate bowl). They have two fake plant decorations and two object decorations (one has a bubble maker in it), and the bottom of the tank has gravel rocks. I clean the tank about every 2 weeks, unless it's looking particularly scummy.

Recently, I noticed one of my female guppies had several white spots all over her body, looks like ICH to me, but she doesn't stay still long enough for me to really get a good look. For the past week, I've been using the Lifeguard All-in-one treatment by Jungle, with my ghost shrimp in a bowl so they don't get hurt from it. It doesn't seem to be making any difference with my guppy.

So, I was wondering if someone could give me any more information as to what I should do? I would like to have my tank a healthy as possible before I leave them for a week for Thanksgiving.

Thanks!

PS: It also appears to be spreading, but it's not as bad on the other fish as it is one the original.

Lucy

Hi Welcome to FishLore
I'm so sorry your fish aren't feeling well.
A lot of times ich can be treated without meds. Slowly raise the temp to 84F, Leave it there for at least 2 weeks. Increase aeration to make up for less oxygen in warmer water.
Do gravel vacs and water changes to pick up any any ich spores.

Unfortunatly, as you know 5g is too small for guppies, especially the amount that you have. Being in too small a tank can cause stress which lowers their ability to fight off disease and illness.
Since they're breeding your overstock problem is going to get worse, not better.
It would also be a good idea to get your water checked. Most stores will do this for you for free.
How often are you changing the water?

Best of luck, I hope things improve soon.

LoriSilverstar

I use the gravel vac every time I clean the tank, and a 2 gallon water change each time I clean the tank. I have no where to move them to when I'm at school when I'm cleaning their tank, so I can't actually get the whole thing usually.

What if I can't raise the temperature? The heater I have right now just stays constant. Is there anything else I could try that wouldn't involve the temperature?

And as the their overpopulation, I'm always telling people on campus that I'd be happy to let them have a fish or two, since I have plenty and fish are the only pet we're technically allowed to have

aquarist48

Hello LoriSilverStar and Welcome to Fish Lore. Sorry to hear that your fish aren't feeling up to par. I've moved your thread to the "freshwater fish disease" section of the forum to help you to get more responses.
Thanks!
Ken

peacemaker92

Welcome to Fishlore!

So sorry to hear your fish aren't feeling well. Hope they recover soon. Great advice from Lucy. Keep us updated. Good luck!

Beth1965

I would follow Lucy's suggestions and for sure try to give away as many fish as you can, what about trying the fishstore you bought them orginally? They will usually help you out.
Good luck and have a good Turkey Day

LoriSilverstar

Well, I wasn't able to do the treatment Lucy suggested, as I couldn't bring the fish back home with me for just a week. But, I did a full tank clean (total water change, rock scrub, plant scrub, etc) and when I checked on my fish this morning, the spots on the worst guppy had gone away!

So I'm not sure if it actually was ich now or not.. but hopefully they'll all be fine when I get back.

Thanks for the suggestions though, if they're worse when I get back I'll see what I can do about using them.