Guppy being chased to death!!

I have 8 guppies in a 45 gallon tank. They've gotten on fine for a few months, but recently I noticed one of the guppies often being isolated from the group. He is kind of small and not as pronounced as other guppies. Over the last few weeks, his behavior has become a bit worrying but nothing major. This morning, he is swimming partly on his side and being chased NON STOP. The other guppies will NOT leave him alone, he's being chased by 4-5 guppies at any given time! This is really worrying. I am going to remove him to another tank for now, but any advice is appreciated. Thank you!!

Ph: 7.4
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate 5-10
GH: 9-10
KH: 2-3

 

My first thought is that he’s already sick. Sometimes fish will bully and chase a sick fish because it’s a threat to their own survival (in the wild). Remove it like you said to a QT tank and see if the lack of bullying helps him out. If not there’s a good chance something else is going on here.

 

My first thought is that he’s already sick. Sometimes fish will bully and chase a sick fish because it’s a threat to their own survival (in the wild). Remove it like you said to a QT tank and see if the lack of bullying helps him out. If not there’s a good chance something else is going on here.

Spot on. Yes, I believe he is sick. He seems to have wasting disease.

How to Treat Livebearer Disease

I am going to order some ParaCleanse. Since it will take 2-4 days to arrive, what can I use until then? Thank for your help

My first thought is that he’s already sick. Sometimes fish will bully and chase a sick fish because it’s a threat to their own survival (in the wild). Remove it like you said to a QT tank and see if the lack of bullying helps him out. If not there’s a good chance something else is going on here.

I don't have a QT tank setup. All 3 of my tanks are in use. I have one un-used 3 gallon but it won't be cycled. Putting a stressed fish in an uncycled tank doesen't seem to be the best idea. Plus, since the guppies have been together for weeks, it's probably spread through the entire population.

 

I don't have a QT tank setup. All 3 of my tanks are in use. I have one un-used 3 gallon but it won't be cycled. Putting a stressed fish in an uncycled tank doesen't seem to be the best idea. Plus, since the guppies have been together for weeks, it's probably spread through the entire population.

Do you have an extra sponge filter running in any tanks? You can pop that in a 3 gallon for a cycled QT. If not that's fine but it's not ideal to treat an entire tank with medications when the other fish aren't sick. Since he's already sick I would remove to the 3 gallon regardless of cycle and do 50% daily water changes during treatment. It's simply not ideal to leave a sick fish in any inhabited tank, you are risking the healthy fish. Even if you lose him from the stress of QT, it's better than losing an entire tank's stock during an unnecessary treatment and risk them catching the illness as well. (I don't mean to come across as harsh, I'm sorry it's just my 2 cents).

 

Do you have an extra sponge filter running in any tanks? You can pop that in a 3 gallon for a cycled QT. If not that's fine but it's not ideal to treat an entire tank with medications when the other fish aren't sick. Since he's already sick I would remove to the 3 gallon regardless of cycle and do 50% daily water changes during treatment. It's simply not ideal to leave a sick fish in any inhabited tank, you are risking the healthy fish. Even if you lose him from the stress of QT, it's better than losing an entire tank's stock during an unnecessary treatment and risk them catching the illness as well. (I don't mean to come across as harsh, I'm sorry it's just my 2 cents).

They've been living in the tank for months together. He's been exhibiting symptoms for weeks now, and some of the other guppies are starting to look bloated now as well. If there's a parasite in there, its most definitely spread throughout the entire tank. Why would I remove 1 fish and treat only them? That doesen't make sense at all. Maybe I am missing something.

 

They've been living in the tank for months together. He's been exhibiting symptoms for weeks now, and some of the other guppies are starting to look bloated now as well. If there's a parasite in there, its most definitely spread throughout the entire tank. Why would I remove 1 fish and treat only them? That doesen't make sense at all. Maybe I am missing something.

I was under the impression only this one fish was exhibiting symptoms and That this was a recent issue. I did not know this was happening for weeks before treatment. You are right, you’ll have to treat the whole tank at this point.

 

I was under the impression only this one fish was exhibiting symptoms and That this was a recent issue. I did not know this was happening for weeks before treatment. You are right, you’ll have to treat the whole tank at this point.

It just didn't get so bad until this morning. Last 2 weeks he has been isolating himself from the group, hovering at the bottom of the tank. He was never swimming on his side, but this morning it took a turn for the worst. And yes, other guppy are looking a bit bloated now too. Thanks for your help!!