Guppy Troubleshooter
Having trouble figuring out what is happening to your guppies? Go through this checklist questionnaire...it may help you discover the nature of the problem.
Many diseases can be also be avoided by limiting the amount of stress that a fish endures when they are newly acquired and during day-to-day care. Here is an article on stress, and it's role in fish diseases.
Frequent observation and immediate action to correct a problem will help eliminate the possibility of the spread of a disease and will greatly improve the odds of your fish recovering. In other words, if you see something wrong with your fish - act on it!!
1. BACKGROUND
What is your pH? Any sudden changes in temperature or pH? See Water Quality .
Do you use salt as a general additive?
What temperature is your guppy tank?
Any sudden recent water temperature fluctuations of more than 4 degrees?
Has anything been done to the tank that is out of the ordinary? Such as changes in water changing practices or addition of new fish or plants, use of live food, new tank decorations?
Is there a possibility of any of the following being in contact with the fish tank: aerosol sprays, paint fumes, tobacco, other fumes or chemicals, metal of any kind? See Water Quality .
Any new piping or plumbing or mains work by the local water supply company (such as the addition of chloramines)?
What is the size of the tank(s) involved and the stocking level?
What is your method(s) of filtration? How often do you make partial water changes? How often do you rinse the filter or change it?
What types of food do you feed and how often?
2. MORE DETAIL
When did the problem start?
How many fish are affected?
What action did you take?
What medications have you tried?
3. SYMPTOMS
N/R = No Remedy
Q= Quarantine Note: most sick fish should be quarantined. This is added where it is especially important.
Area Symptoms Advice Tail Split, often in middle as if cut
"Split tail" - should heal naturally, various causes: check for sharp ornaments, fighting. Could be caused by large water changes, weak genetics.Watch for fungus
Ragged, deteriorating with whiteish or red edge
Bacterial tail rot. Q Ailments
Clamped or closed (pin-tail)
Check water quality (i.e.ammonia). If no problem, likely body Flukes Parasites
Body Bulge, bump
Tumour, not threatening, N/R
Smooth, yellow/white cyst
Nodular disease caused by spores.Can be introduced by live tubifex worms.N/R.Q/DESTROY
Cauliflower-like growth, starts as cyst
Lymphocystis, caused by virus. Destructive but uncommon in freshwater tanks. Can be transmitted & will grow. Q/DESTROY (may try Quick Cure)
White cottony patches or white discolouration on lips or body
See fungus and columnaris Ailments
Slimey, cloudy skin
Sliminess of the skin (excess body mucus) Parasites
Lesions, ulcers or sores, reddening at base of fins/vent
Haemorrhagic Septicaemia, Q - see Ailments
White salt-like specks over entire body
White spot (Ich) Parasites
Yellow/grey/gold dust, peeling skin, loss of appetite
Velvet Disease Parasites
Tiny sand-like spots, peeling skin, difficulty swimming, protruding scales
Guppy Disease Parasites
Reddish worms protruding from anus
Camallanus Q Parasites
Thin, pale, bent back, pop-eye, ulcers, listlessness, sores, fin rot
TB - Q/DESTROY - See TB information under Ailments
Swollen, protruding scales (usually), sometimes pop-eye
Dropsy Q Ailments
Bent, malformed spine
Could be genetics,TB or malnutrition N/R
Gills Gasping for air
Poor water quality Water Quality
Reddened, inflamed, rapid movement
Gill parasite Parasites or water quality Water Quality
Eyes Protruding from head
See TB, Dropsy, Pop-eye Q N/R Ailments
Darkened
Behaviour "Flashing" - quickly scratching body on surfaces
Check for ammonia and other toxins ( Water Quality ) - External Parasites Parasites
Unnatural swimming, floating
Swimbladder complications N/R Ailments
Fish is vertical (head-standing)
Swimbladder inflamation Ailments
Loss of appetite, spits out food
Tainted/stale food? - Stressed? - Internal problems - See TB, camallanus, dropsy
Listless, inactive, surface resting, gasping, jumping, sporadic movements
Water quality problems - or other causes. Water Quality or Parasites
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