Guppy Has Tail Rot Or Being Nipped?

I have a male guppy in my 20 gal tank. Recently, I noticed a hole at the bottom of his tail. It looked like fin rot, so I began the Melafix treatment. However, at day 3, it only seems to be getting worse. I don't think it is nipping as the only fish I have in the aquarium that nip are neon tetras and I never see them messing with him.

Guppy with fin rot? Or nipped?

• HenryWiygul
• Mar 1, 2017

It has not seemed to change his demeanor as he is still swimming and eating. But I am worried he is going to lose his entire tail.

Any advice on what to do? Should I continue the Melafix treatment? Is this actually fin rot or is he being nipped?

 

Your picture isn't working, or at least it doesn't on the app. Even though you may not see the neons bug your guppy doesn't mean they aren't fin nipping when you're not around.

 

 

Here is the pic uploaded from the app

 

Your picture isn't working, or at least it doesn't on the app. Even though you may not see the neons bug your guppy doesn't mean they aren't fin nipping when you're not around.

I don't see any evidence of nipping on any other fish, though. Would they only nip the male guppy?

 

I don't see any evidence of nipping on any other fish, though. Would they only nip the male guppy?

It looks like nipping to me. What other fish do you have with him? Male guppies are often the victI'm of fin nipping because they have longer tails that can slow them down (much like a betta only on a smaller scale) so they can't escape their tank mates.

 

It looks like nipping to me. What other fish do you have with him? Male guppies are often the victI'm of fin nipping because they have longer tails that can slow them down (much like a betta only on a smaller scale) so they can't escape their tank mates.

Three platies (1 male, 2 female), one female guppy, a honey gouramis, and 4 neons. Plus some RCS and a couple of nerite snails

 

Three platies (1 male, 2 female), one female guppy, a honey gouramis, and 4 neons. Plus some RCS and a couple of nerite snails

You have some stocking issues if you care to discuss, but I don't believe any of those fish should have bit your guppy that way. Have you noticed any aggression between your fish?
Also can you test your water parameters and post the results?

 

You have some stocking issues if you care to discuss, but I don't believe any of those fish should have bit your guppy that way. Have you noticed any aggression between your fish?
Also can you test your water parameters and post the results?

Water parameters are all good. Ammonia and nitrites at 0. Nitrates around 10. And no, all the fish seem to be getting along swimmingly (pun intended)

I'd love to know any issues, thanks!

 

Water parameters are all good. Ammonia and nitrites at 0. Nitrates around 10. And no, all the fish seem to be getting along swimmingly (pun intended)
I'd love to know any issues, thanks!

Al913 likes to help out with stocking issues, but I would double the number of neons you have and add 1-2 more female guppies, or only keep one gender of guppy.

Al, perhaps you can offer some insight as to how his tail got injured also?

 

Al913 likes to help out with stocking issues, but I would double the number of neons you have and add 1-2 more female guppies, or only keep one gender of guppy.

Al, perhaps you can offer some insight as to how his tail got injured also?

I did have another female. But she randomly passed away one night. LFS had been completely out of females every time I go. Wanting to get another though.

I separated the tetras, and the guppy's tail didn't appear to get worse (which it had been doing). I might just return the neons. They're cool, but I'm not sure I want double the current amount.

 

I did have another female. But she randomly passed away one night. LFS had been completely out of females every time I go. Wanting to get another though.

I separated the tetras, and the guppy's tail didn't appear to get worse (which it had been doing). I might just return the neons. They're cool, but I'm not sure I want double the current amount.

Oh, okay! Glad you already put some thought into that then!

If his tail hasn't gotten worse since you removed the tetras, it's quite possible they were the cause of the problem. Also having a smaller school increases aggression from said fish, so that would make sense.
If you don't want to return them, the minimum school is 6 fish. I recommended 8 because that's healthier, but if you can get two more that should work okay.

Al913 I'm surprised you haven't responded yet

 

Oh, okay! Glad you already put some thought into that then!

If his tail hasn't gotten worse since you removed the tetras, it's quite possible they were the cause of the problem. Also having a smaller school increases aggression from said fish, so that would make sense.
If you don't want to return them, the minimum school is 6 fish. I recommended 8 because that's healthier, but if you can get two more that should work okay.

Al913 I'm surprised you haven't responded yet

Thanks for all the help!

 

Fin nipping Neon Tetras? That is a new one to me! The only aggressive beasts or critters I have in my herd are Silver Tip Tetras and they mostly just chase members of their own tribe. Otherwise of all of the Glowlights, Neons, Cardinal, Black Neon, Black, White, Skirts (Long fin and regular), Rasbora , Silver Hatchet, and lastly Ember Tetras. The owners of the small pet shop I purchased the embers from cringed when I told them I had over 20-30 full grown Black skirts and figured I would loose the embers. After a year all of these tiny embers are still buzzing around the herd. As for your Guppy perhaps it is a "nipper" because from what little I can see on my app, I don't see any white or what looks like an infection or fungus or rot.

 

Is there anything sharp he could have torn it on?

Any places he could have got trapped and ripped it off escaping?

 

Is there anything sharp he could have torn it on?

Any places he could have got trapped and ripped it off escaping?

Not that I can think of. The only plants I have are real. My substrate is sand, too. I have a resin log, but that has been in my tank for two months and I have never had a problem with it.

I'm pretty sure it is the neons, unfortunately.

 

Fin nipping Neon Tetras? That is a new one to me! The only aggressive beasts or critters I have in my herd are Silver Tip Tetras and they mostly just chase members of their own tribe. Otherwise of all of the Glowlights, Neons, Cardinal, Black Neon, Black, White, Skirts (Long fin and regular), Rasbora , Silver Hatchet, and lastly Ember Tetras. The owners of the small pet shop I purchased the embers from cringed when I told them I had over 20-30 full grown Black skirts and figured I would loose the embers. After a year all of these tiny embers are still buzzing around the herd. As for your Guppy perhaps it is a "nipper" because from what little I can see on my app, I don't see any white or what looks like an infection or fungus or rot.

I think it must be the neons. I didn't notice any ripped fins of the guppy until I added them. But I just didn't want to think it was them doing it, especially since I never witnessed any aggression. It's definitely weird though.

 

Al913 I'm surprised you haven't responded yet

Sorry, with this new update it's harder to see when someone mentions you since its bunch up with the new post and other alerts. Especiall since sometimes I will get 20+ threads.

So for stocking you definitely want to have 6 neons. However it seems like this problem has been solved! The neons were the problem since when kept in a small school neons or any other fish become more timid and somewhat aggressive since they don't feel secured. Your guppy tail should heal in 2 weeks or so. Although it might not be the same.

As far as the platies do you have room to house the fry?

 

Sorry, with this new update it's harder to see when someone mentions you since its bunch up with the new post and other alerts. Especiall since sometimes I will get 20+ threads.

So for stocking you definitely want to have 6 neons. However it seems like this problem has been solved! The neons were the problem since when kept in a small school neons or any other fish become more timid and somewhat aggressive since they don't feel secured. Your guppy tail should heal in 2 weeks or so. Although it might not be the same.

As far as the platies do you have room to house the fry?

Yeah! I have a separate fry tank currently have 6 platy fry and 3 guppies! They're looking good too