Has The Quality Of Guppys Gone Down?

So guppys used to be somewhat hardy right? Well I just bought 7 from petsmart and 5 of them died in quarantine. First one from stress of moving, two from fin rot and another from clamped fins (I mean how?!) Anyways are guppys no longer as hardy? If so I might get platys or mollys as I heard there more hardy now?

 

Your first problem is that you got them from a chain store. I've never had great luck with any fish I've bought from a Petsmart/Petco (some have lived, but not to the extent as fish I've ordered/gotten from LFS's).

Second issue becomes that all your commonly found livebearers in the hobby (guppies, mollies, platies and swordtails) have become incredibly inbred, unless you buy them from a good breeder. It makes them susceptible to disease and shortens their natural lifespan. So buying platies and mollys from the same place won't really help you much.

Another possibility is that you just got a bad bunch of fish. Certain shipments have a rough time when being sent to the store, and then are put into further stress when they're thrown into display tanks without a proper acclimation.

If you're really wanting a good batch of guppies, I'd say to find a good LFS or order some online (I know you're in Canada, so not sure how easy that'd be). Another option is to just buy some from each store around you, QT, and add to your main tank as you get them cured. With them being from different stores, they may be from different breeding facilities, which should help limit inbreeding.

 

I have bought 8 from a guy on Ebay named Quinn's Fins. They were shipped at different times and I didn't lose one. They are all beautiful and healthy. I kept them in QT for 3 weeks but really no need to. Mine are all boys. His shipping is very reasonable and if you ask him, he will combine shipping.

 

I think the quality of most fish has been suffering.

 

Mmm depends on your breeder and location. There has been a fractional dip in quality over here in the uk but most fish are still fine and healthy!

 

I have to say that I bought 6 neons from a chain store and 2 died. Bought 8 more from a LFS in my area and not one died. When you look at them in the tank, you can even tell the ones from the LFS over the chain store ones. They LFS ones have much more vibrant red in them. I'm done with chain stores for fish. The other day Petco was out of Melafix regular so I had to buy a bottle of the Melafix for ponds. When I asked what the difference in them was they told me nothing, I could dose the pond one just like I had been dosing. When I got home and compared the bottles the pond one was much stronger. I would have O.D. my fish if I hadn't still had the bottle to compare. I was so angry!

 

I have to say that I bought 6 neons from a chain store and 2 died. Bought 8 more from a LFS in my area and not one died. When you look at them in the tank, you can even tell the ones from the LFS over the chain store ones. They LFS ones have much more vibrant red in them. I'm done with chain stores for fish. The other day Petco was out of Melafix regular so I had to buy a bottle of the Melafix for ponds. When I asked what the difference in them was they told me nothing, I could dose the pond one just like I had been dosing. When I got home and compared the bottles the pond one was much stronger. I would have O.D. my fish if I hadn't still had the bottle to compare. I was so angry!

Petco is on my “I don’t think so” list. Sent hubby to get spring/fall diet for goldies. With a pic. He came back with Koi Vibrance. I called Petco n the manager said it’s the same thing. I’m just feeding peas till the right food comes in.

 

Your first problem is that you got them from a chain store. I've never had great luck with any fish I've bought from a Petsmart/Petco (some have lived, but not to the extent as fish I've ordered/gotten from LFS's).

Second issue becomes that all your commonly found livebearers in the hobby (guppies, mollies, platies and swordtails) have become incredibly inbred, unless you buy them from a good breeder. It makes them susceptible to disease and shortens their natural lifespan. So buying platies and mollys from the same place won't really help you much.

Another possibility is that you just got a bad bunch of fish. Certain shipments have a rough time when being sent to the store, and then are put into further stress when they're thrown into display tanks without a proper acclimation.

If you're really wanting a good batch of guppies, I'd say to find a good LFS or order some online (I know you're in Canada, so not sure how easy that'd be). Another option is to just buy some from each store around you, QT, and add to your main tank as you get them cured. With them being from different stores, they may be from different breeding facilities, which should help limit inbreeding.

First of all, I try not to buy from them. But even my local fish store guppy that I got last year all got dropsy with in like 4 months of having them it started. We don't really have a proper fish store. Anyways I heard someone else say that molly's and platies were better so I wanted to try them. Could have been a bad batch of fish I guess I got them a day after they were shipped to them. (Bad idea I guess..) Online I tryed to see how much 1 betta would be and after shipping it was over $200, yeah no... I will indeed try different stores. Petland (as much as I don't want to say as their bettas are in the worst condition) Have some what good guppys care. Their guppys looks good, anyway thanks

I have bought 8 from a guy on Ebay named Quinn's Fins. They were shipped at different times and I didn't lose one. They are all beautiful and healthy. I kept them in QT for 3 weeks but really no need to. Mine are all boys. His shipping is very reasonable and if you ask him, he will combine shipping.

I'm in canada so ebay won't really happen, lol

I think the quality of most fish has been suffering.

Very true...

Petco is on my “I don’t think so” list. Sent hubby to get spring/fall diet for goldies. With a pic. He came back with Koi Vibrance. I called Petco n the manager said it’s the same thing. I’m just feeding peas till the right food comes in.

If we had petco in canada I wouldnt go there (so good thing we don't have one)

 

it is becoming harder and harder to get good quality fish at stores for sure. a lot of beginner fishes like bettas, neon tetras, etc are not as hardy as they used to be. they are way more prone to diseases, and will die a lot more easily compared to years ago.

 

Nowadays most of the local pet stores are getting fishes according to the quantity without looking their quality.

 

In the wild natural selection operates, every fish has to be fighting-fit or it doesn't make it.

In the farms every fish, strong or weak, makes money for the owner so is retained.

New virulent strains of diseases are mutating and spreading in fish farms all the time due to crowding, antibiotic resistance and retention of weak fish.

These diseases do not occur in the wild where fish are stronger and not packed together.

Unfortunately, many farmed fish are supplied to us already with these diseases.