May Have To Euthanize My Fish...:/

My guppy which I affectionately named Banana has had a wild ride since arriving home with me from the pet store.

First I believed it was male with a sickness.

Then I was convinced it was female.

Now I don't know what gender it is but what I do know is that what I thought was it's gravid spot...has become a huge hole in the side of it.

I have nothing in my tank that bites, or even COULD bite if it wanted to.

I do not know what caused this hole, or if it will heal.

What I do know, is that if it's parasitic or bacterial, I'd rather it not spread...

I have another guppy that has been healthy for quite some time that is now displaying similar issues to Banana, and it's only a matter of time in my opinion before the other guppy gets whatever it is too.

Banana's tail fin seems to be damaged as well, it wasn't yesterday. However her tail is damaged, the hole is wide and I can see inside of her (to a degree), and she is swimming primarily at the top of the tank.

She is still eating, still swimming, and still fighting. I don't want to kill her, but I also don't know what to do.

I have a 1.5 gallon tank with no heater or filter, that's it. I could isolate Banana, but my worry is that every time I have tried using that tank for isolation the fish has died. If anything that tank is the death tank.

Should I wait a few more days and see what happens?
Should I put it in the separate tank even though I've had little success with it?
Or should I skip the wait and put Banana out of her supposed misery?

 

My guppy which I affectionately named Banana has had a wild ride since arriving home with me from the pet store.

First I believed it was male with a sickness.

Then I was convinced it was female.

Now I don't know what gender it is but what I do know is that what I thought was it's gravid spot...has become a huge hole in the side of it.

I have nothing in my tank that bites, or even COULD bite if it wanted to.

I do not know what caused this hole, or if it will heal.

What I do know, is that if it's parasitic or bacterial, I'd rather it not spread...

I have another guppy that has been healthy for quite some time that is now displaying similar issues to Banana, and it's only a matter of time in my opinion before the other guppy gets whatever it is too.

Banana's tail fin seems to be damaged as well, it wasn't yesterday. However her tail is damaged, the hole is wide and I can see inside of her (to a degree), and she is swimming primarily at the top of the tank.

She is still eating, still swimming, and still fighting. I don't want to kill her, but I also don't know what to do.

I have a 1.5 gallon tank with no heater or filter, that's it. I could isolate Banana, but my worry is that every time I have tried using that tank for isolation the fish has died. If anything that tank is the death tank.

Should I wait a few more days and see what happens?
Should I put it in the separate tank even though I've had little success with it?
Or should I skip the wait and put Banana out of her supposed misery?

It is hard to know what it is without a picture but it could be Aeromonas Bacteria?

 

It is hard to know what it is without a picture but it could be Aeromonas Bacteria?

Honestly this problem has been making me want to give up fish keeping entirely. I worry about them before sleeping at night and I don't even enjoy the hobby anymore. Just in the past 1-2 months I have lost numerous fish. I've cycled, added plants, cleaned the water, decorations, everything you can think of. I've dumped a ton of money into this and now this fish has this issue..

That was the best photo I could get. Banana is racing around the tank rn, near the top still, but is occasionally swimming down just to come back up (naturally though, doesn't look like swim bladder). Don't even know what gender it is, that is how little experience I have with guppies.

 

Honestly this problem has been making me want to give up fish keeping entirely. I worry about them before sleeping at night and I don't even enjoy the hobby anymore. Just in the past 1-2 months I have lost numerous fish. I've cycled, added plants, cleaned the water, decorations, everything you can think of. I've dumped a ton of money into this and now this fish has this issue..

That was the best photo I could get. Banana is racing around the tank rn, near the top still, but is occasionally swimming down just to come back up (naturally though, doesn't look like swim bladder). Don't even know what gender it is, that is how little experience I have with guppies.

I am not sure but it almost looks like a heater burn. Does it stay near it often?

 

I am not sure but it almost looks like a heater burn. Does it stay near it often?

Every now and then yes. However not as often as the other 2 guppies, and neither of them have any marks. Banana had a dot there when I got her and as time went on it got bigger before finally opening up like a cut..

 

I may have been some underlying problem from wherever you got Banana, and maybe it got triggered by something. Did you change anything recently? Add anything? Change the filter? New food?

I would recommend copy/pasting and filling out the sick fish template, so someone who knows more than me can help.

 

I may have been some underlying problem from wherever you got Banana, and maybe it got triggered by something. Did you change anything recently? Add anything? Change the filter? New food?

I've done a lot trying to fix the issue.

Did 25% water change. Did a parasitic treatment bath as well.

I changed the food cause I realized the old food was expired...however I'm honestly not sure what is wrong with Banana.

She was diving earlier, but unlike usually where she dives and hangs out underwater, she been staying near the top.

 

Banana is a male. The long narrow analfin is a gonopodium. In females that fin is shaped like a triangle.

How often do you do partial water changes?

Have you tested the water? What are the readings?

If you haven't been doing a lot of water changes, that's probably causing the problem.

 

I would recommend copy/pasting and filling out the sick fish template, so someone who knows more than me can help.

Do you know where I could find that? Would definitely fill it out!

Banana is a male. The long narrow analfin is a gonopodium. In females that fin is shaped like a triangle.

How often do you do partial water changes?

Have you tested the water? What are the readings?

If you haven't been doing a lot of water changes, that's probably causing the problem.

Okay thanks for identifying the gender

I do a water change once a month, or once every week and a half if I notice dirty water.

Have not tested the water completely yet. Been short on funds and have yet to get the kit.

I have tested for ph and got a reading of 7.2

I don't believe the water changes are the issue :/

 

Usually the bacteria that creates the problem is already present in the tank and doesn’t spread as you think it would

 

Okay thanks for identifying the gender

I do a water change once a month, or once every week and a half if I notice dirty water.

Have not tested the water completely yet. Been short on funds and have yet to get the kit.

I have tested for ph and got a reading of 7.2

I don't believe the water changes are the issue :/

Water changes should be done every week. The recommended amount is usually 25%. You may have an ammonia problem.

 

Okay thanks for identifying the gender

I do a water change once a month, or once every week and a half if I notice dirty water.

Have not tested the water completely yet. Been short on funds and have yet to get the kit.

I have tested for ph and got a reading of 7.2

I don't believe the water changes are the issue :/

I'm not trying to be contrary, but water condition is probably your problem. Depending on how much you feed, you should be doing water changes at least once a week.

If your tank is bad enough where you can see the dirty water, it's so far gone it will never recover. The real enemies are ammonia, nitrites, and excessive nitrate levels. You can't see those chemicals.

I know the test kits cost some bucks. Most fish stores will test the water for free, and will give you readings for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates.

You really need to test to determine whether ammonia, nitrites, or nitrates are building up in your tanks.

I'd recommend doing a 25% water change ever day until you figure out what's going wrong.

 

I'm not trying to be contrary, but water condition is probably your problem. Depending on how much you feed, you should be doing water changes at least once a week.

If your tank is bad enough where you can see the dirty water, it's so far gone it will never recover. The real enemies are ammonia, nitrites, and excessive nitrate levels. You can't see those chemicals.

I know the test kits cost some bucks. Most fish stores will test the water for free, and will give you readings for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates.

You really need to test to determine whether ammonia, nitrites, or nitrates are building up in your tanks.

I'd recommend doing a 25% water change ever day until you figure out what's going wrong.

Well the water is crystal clear...

I do intend on testing the water, but like I said...only Banana has health issues. The other guppies, the snails, and the shrimp have all been fine.

I am likely going to suck it up and buy the test kit tonight and start doing the water changes more often

 

I think it's better to isolate banana so that if its contagious it won't spread keep him in quarantine but like everyone said 25% water change once a week is the best (sorry for your loss of fishes in recent times)

 

I think it's better to isolate banana so that if its contagious it won't spread keep him in quarantine but like everyone said 25% water change once a week is the best (sorry for your loss of fishes in recent times)

I'd like to quarantine him, but I don't have spare heater sadly :/ If I put him in my spare, I feel the rapid change of temperature will kill him.

The other 2 fish are asleep, yet Banana is frantically swimming around all over the tank skimming the top of the water still like he can't breath from his gills :'(

My thinking is, he is in a tank with a plant he likes, two tank mates that have yet to get what he has, and everything familiar.

If he's going to die, I'm going to let him die in his home then immediately treat the water for parasites/bacteria after. I don't know if he will die, but this is the worst he's been. He has been bad since I got him from the store, but he has gotten worse and it looks like it won't heal.

Time will tell but this is making it hard for me to sleep..

 

Well the hobby can be punishing at times bro you got to keep your head straight and go for the right choices when you have the options don't worry about these losses I know it's hard but it's for the better also if you want let him be there it's your choice

 

You should never accept that the water is fine just cos it looks clear, you absolute must change at least 25% of the water once a week, every week......its part and parcel of the responsibility that you have to care for your animals properly.

As a direct comparison if you had a dog and you only changed his bedding once a month, you would have a very unhappy dog who would be more prone to picking up bugs and illness than if you changed and cleaned his bed every week.....if you leave your aquarium with water unchanged for a month then you are basically allowing your fish to swim in a potentially lethal soup full of yuckiness

As others have said, your Guppy is really not a happy Banana right now, so try and follow the advice they are giving, take 30 minutes out of a specific day each week to change the water, check the plants for any issues, clean the substrate and get a decent test kit or take a sample of the water to your local aquatic shop for testing for free. Bottom line is that when you own pets, regardless of type, you have to take on the responsibility to look after them, no matter how busy your schedule is you have to find the time

A common mistake that many make is they want pets but have no time for the usual dogs, cats etc so they think fish and assume that all that is needed to care for fish is to feed them once a day......no, no no if only fish were that simple. Fishkeeping can be time consuming, emotionally draining, expensive and fraught with difficulties....but it can also be very rewarding too

Get into a routine of water changes, same day each week....if you find the water is looking off or your fish are acting strangely or you are unsure, the do water changes more often. Get a good test kit or ask your local aquatic shop to test it for you and if they pick up an issue they will tell you and be able to recommend what you need to do.

Fishkeeping is not the simple pet option, its demanding of time and emotion......as for Banana, follow the advice you are being given, go to your local aquatic shop with a photo of him and ask for advice there....tropical fishkeeping is a very involved pastime, never be afraid to ask for advice but you also have to follow the advice that is being given

Fishkeeping is hard work at times but if done right and your fish are happy and healthy and you're doing all the maintenance needed it can be an absolute joy to behold

 

You should never accept that the water is fine just cos it looks clear, you absolute must change at least 25% of the water once a week, every week......its part and parcel of the responsibility that you have to care for your animals properly.

As a direct comparison if you had a dog and you only changed his bedding once a month, you would have a very unhappy dog who would be more prone to picking up bugs and illness than if you changed and cleaned his bed every week.....if you leave your aquarium with water unchanged for a month then you are basically allowing your fish to swim in a potentially lethal soup full of yuckiness

As others have said, your Guppy is really not a happy Banana right now, so try and follow the advice they are giving, take 30 minutes out of a specific day each week to change the water, check the plants for any issues, clean the substrate and get a decent test kit or take a sample of the water to your local aquatic shop for testing for free. Bottom line is that when you own pets, regardless of type, you have to take on the responsibility to look after them, no matter how busy your schedule is you have to find the time

A common mistake that many make is they want pets but have no time for the usual dogs, cats etc so they think fish and assume that all that is needed to care for fish is to feed them once a day......no, no no if only fish were that simple. Fishkeeping can be time consuming, emotionally draining, expensive and fraught with difficulties....but it can also be very rewarding too

Get into a routine of water changes, same day each week....if you find the water is looking off or your fish are acting strangely or you are unsure, the do water changes more often. Get a good test kit or ask your local aquatic shop to test it for you and if they pick up an issue they will tell you and be able to recommend what you need to do.

Fishkeeping is not the simple pet option, its demanding of time and emotion......as for Banana, follow the advice you are being given, go to your local aquatic shop with a photo of him and ask for advice there....tropical fishkeeping is a very involved pastime, never be afraid to ask for advice but you also have to follow the advice that is being given

Fishkeeping is hard work at times but if done right and your fish are happy and healthy and you're doing all the maintenance needed it can be an absolute joy to behold

No I know that clear water doesn't equal safe water. The user just said if it was murky it was a death sentence so I told them that it was clear. Trust me, I do water changes often. The problem is, not often enough. I been doing them every 2 weeks, since that is what I've been told by pet stores and such. Realizing they don't always give accurate advice.

Honestly I've been doing everything I can for them, and I hate to take the blame off myself but I really feel Banana was doomed well before he ended up in my tank.

When I went to the store, I picked out 2 guppies then let the guy pick out the last one. The one the guy picked was Banana. I honestly feel he knew Banana was sick, and sold him to me anyways. The tank had only 4 or so fish in it. All undersized but I figured they must be young so I gave it a chance.

Yes I been failing to check the water. Honestly it's been a money issue. Lost my job recently and been trying to save what I have left. However I know that if I want the fish to live I need to get the full kit and test it instead of doing treatments and assuming it's fine .

I never thought fish keeping would be easy. I knew it was difficult at times before starting. However I'm just sad and disappointed in myself for not being able to help Banana, and mad that I keep trusting this fish store that has sold me numerous sick fish (they have a reputation for it but I keep going there cause there is no other fish places by me).

 

If finances are stopping you getting a test kit, get a sample of water in a pot and take it to the fish store for testing, it costs you nothing to do that Brenden. They will test it for free, OK, and they will let you know what needs to be done...if not happy to go to the one where you bought the Guppies, then go elsewhere it will still be free. Even if it means travelling further than you might want to, it will pay in the longterm to get everything right now.

Fishkeeping throws hard lessons at you.....and if you do not trust your local aquatic store, then buy fish online....that's what I do and yes I have had some bad experiences but that's how you learn. One supplier sent me underage/undersize Lemon Tetras, Crown Tail Siamese and Blue Panaque....the Crown Tail was DOA and the rest died over the next 3 days. I changed supplier and everything has been fine since.

Everyone on this forum has faced similar situations but that is part and parcel of learning the craft and even veteran fishkeepers get curve balls

Live and learn....and don't get disillusioned cos fish will sometimes not respond to your care and attention, all you can do is learn how to avoid mistakes, learn from mistakes and if your supplier keeps letting you down then find another who will put their fish health & welfare first and not their profits. Finding a good supplier takes time and yes you will get stung along the way, but good suppliers are out there whether online or store, find one and you'll be fine and most importantly you will have happy & healthy fish But you must keep your side of the bargain too...weekly maintenance of your aquarium is an absolute must.

 

If finances are stopping you getting a test kit, get a sample of water in a pot and take it to the fish store for testing, it costs you nothing to do that Brenden. They will test it for free, OK, and they will let you know what needs to be done...if not happy to go to the one where you bought the Guppies, then go elsewhere it will still be free. Even if it means travelling further than you might want to, it will pay in the longterm to get everything right now.

Fishkeeping throws hard lessons at you.....and if you do not trust your local aquatic store, then buy fish online....that's what I do and yes I have had some bad experiences but that's how you learn. One supplier sent me underage/undersize Lemon Tetras, Crown Tail Siamese and Blue Panaque....the Crown Tail was DOA and the rest died over the next 3 days. I changed supplier and everything has been fine since.

Everyone on this forum has faced similar situations but that is part and parcel of learning the craft and even veteran fishkeepers get curve balls

Live and learn....and don't get disillusioned cos fish will sometimes not respond to your care and attention, all you can do is learn how to avoid mistakes, learn from mistakes and if your supplier keeps letting you down then find another who will put their fish health & welfare first and not their profits. Finding a good supplier takes time and yes you will get stung along the way, but good suppliers are out there whether online or store, find one and you'll be fine and most importantly you will have happy & healthy fish But you must keep your side of the bargain too...weekly maintenance of your aquarium is an absolute must.

Thank you for the advice. I'm just hoping Banana will heal. I have never seen a hole in a fish like this before, and when I've seen behavior like Banana's typically they pass away. So I'm just hoping the little guy lives.

If not, sadly it was his time and I got to accept that and work on fixing any tank issues before going at it again.

 

Another part of the weekly maintenance is to check all plants and ornaments for sharp edges or rough patches. Fish skin is very fragile compared to ours, so Banana might have scratched himself and that then evolved to what it is now. Don't take anything out of the aquarium, just run a finger around the plants and ornaments to make sure there is nothing that might injure your fish....cos the tiniest scratch on a fish can cause a huge amount of trouble later on.

Some artificial plants can drop leaf sections or bome undone, so just check those too, gently stroke the plants and see if anything catches you. If you find any rough patches or sharp edges, take that item out of the aquarium and use a nail file to gently rub it smooth, rinse it under a tap to get any shavings off and put it back into the aquarium

 

Another part of the weekly maintenance is to check all plants and ornaments for sharp edges or rough patches. Fish skin is very fragile compared to ours, so Banana might have scratched himself and that then evolved to what it is now. Don't take anything out of the aquarium, just run a finger around the plants and ornaments to make sure there is nothing that might injure your fish....cos the tiniest scratch on a fish can cause a huge amount of trouble later on.

Some artificial plants can drop leaf sections or bome undone, so just check those too, gently stroke the plants and see if anything catches you. If you find any rough patches or sharp edges, take that item out of the aquarium and use a nail file to gently rub it smooth, rinse it under a tap to get any shavings off and put it back into the aquarium

That is a good possibility.

I don't have any artificial plants and all the decorations are smooth but I do have a rock in there that Banana used to hang out under when I first got him. I don't think it would cut him, but I'm gonna check it in the morning when I do the water change. Its 3 am and I been up worrying about my fish. I should just get some sleep.

Thanks for all the advice. I'll keep this thread updated in case anything major happens. Good or bad...

 

Sadly woke up this morning to find Banana on the bottom of the tank not moving. Last night I had a horrible gut feeling I'd lose him, and unfortunately it seems I did...

Today sucks already. RIP Banana.

UPDATE:

Went to scoop Banana up, and Banana suddenly rose back to life and darted to the top of the tank before falling back down to the tank's gravel.

Banana is fighting, but barely. Every time they try to dart up, they fall back down.

I know Banana is beyond saving now.Honestly thought Banana was dead. No moving, no signs of breathing, lying on their side at the bottom.

Should I make the decision to put Banana down even though Banana is still darting to the top?

 

Banana finally took his last breath, underneath an aquarium rock he loved to swim around.

Prior to passing he used all his energy to swim to the plant he loved, and laid there for a bit, and made an effort and a fight.

I decided to let him pass away on his own, instead of killing him myself. Once I saw a ghost shrimp picking at him, I knew he was gone. I went to scoop him up, and there was zero movement, no gill movement, nothing. I realized he was gone this time.

I know he was sick when I got him, but I wish I could have stopped it and I wish I had the knowledge to have caught it sooner. Going to monitor my other 2 guppies and make sure there isn't anything major with them for a while before trying to find a new guppy to fill the void Banana left.

RIP

 

Its a shame that Banana did not make it but at least he is not suffering pain or distress anymore and that's the main thing Brenden

Now you absolutely must get your aquarium maintained, water changed every week without fail and water tests done too on a regular basis. Plus make sure that there are no sharp edges or rough patches on your ornaments/rocks etc....and remember that it might not feel that rough or sharp to you it might do to a fish, so take good care to just rub a finger around everything in the aquarium and all rough areas or potentially sharp areas need rubbing down with a nail file and rinsing off to remove shavings before putting back into the aquarium

Fishkeeping can be expensive both financially and emotionally but we are guardians to these fish and we have to make sure that they are not in any danger from objects in the aquarium, water issues and so forth

Get into a routine of maintenance and have the water tested weekly by the local fish supplier til you can afford a kit for yourself, do your water changes and check everything carefully before going out and buying new fish. I know it can be time consuming and feels like a chore but if you want the best chance for your fish, then you need to be strict with yourself Brenden and really stick to a plan. No-one can promise that you will not lose fish in the future but by getting organised now with a full maintenance plan each week you can at least say that you are doing everything possible to make sure the fish are happy and healthy, OK

Keeping fish will throw harsh lessons your way but as long as you learn from them you and your fish will be fine

 

Its a shame that Banana did not make it but at least he is not suffering pain or distress anymore and that's the main thing Brenden

Now you absolutely must get your aquarium maintained, water changed every week without fail and water tests done too on a regular basis. Plus make sure that there are no sharp edges or rough patches on your ornaments/rocks etc....and remember that it might not feel that rough or sharp to you it might do to a fish, so take good care to just rub a finger around everything in the aquarium and all rough areas or potentially sharp areas need rubbing down with a nail file and rinsing off to remove shavings before putting back into the aquarium

Fishkeeping can be expensive both financially and emotionally but we are guardians to these fish and we have to make sure that they are not in any danger from objects in the aquarium, water issues and so forth

Get into a routine of maintenance and have the water tested weekly by the local fish supplier til you can afford a kit for yourself, do your water changes and check everything carefully before going out and buying new fish. I know it can be time consuming and feels like a chore but if you want the best chance for your fish, then you need to be strict with yourself Brenden and really stick to a plan. No-one can promise that you will not lose fish in the future but by getting organised now with a full maintenance plan each week you can at least say that you are doing everything possible to make sure the fish are happy and healthy, OK

Keeping fish will throw harsh lessons your way but as long as you learn from them you and your fish will be fine

Thank you for the advice and condolences!

You have already mentioned water changes and checking decorations in your last 2-3 replies...but I will make sure to do that

 

Thank you for the advice and condolences!

You have already mentioned water changes and checking decorations in your last 2-3 replies...but I will make sure to do that

Oh gosh this post made me cry alittle, RIP little banana , I lost my first betta fish alittle while back and I miss him every day.(RIP TRUNDLE:bigtears