Weird new guppy habit

[spoonsofspinach]

One of my female guppies has started hanging out in an upper corner of the tank. She just hangs there, always the same spot and pointed in the same direction. She doesn't do this all the time, just once in a while. She actually looks like she's sleeping but the point is it is a new habit. I did make some changes on Tuesday. When I changed the water, I actually used (for the first time) my well water. It was added to what was pure RO before that. I also, for the first time, added aquarium salt. Is she my "canary in a coalmine" after these changes?

Current parameters:

ph--7.2
ammonia--0
nitrate--40

[Persimmon]

Did you test your water before using it from the well? Why did you add the salt and how much?

[Aqualung]

I'm also curious as to why you added the salt. Also, why were you using pure RO water before? Pure RO H20 is not healthy for the fish unless you added RO-Right or a similar product to replace the minerals that your fish need.

[spoonsofspinach]

I was using pure RO because that was what was available for bottled water at my local store and I didn't know any better. That's why I added the well water hoping that it would be more beneficial to the fish. I didn't check nitrates nor ammonia in the water but the ph was 6.8. I live in the back of beyond and cannot locate any RO Right. I've even checked Big Al's Online and couldn't find it in their catalog nor website. I added the salt on the recommendation of a Land o' Pets guy. I only added the amount it said to add on the labelling--1 Tbsp. per 5 gallons.

Du'uh! I couldn't locate RO RIGHT because I was searching for RO FIX. Oh bother!

[gabrielandco.]

Why did you add the salt

ikeep reading that gupppies need some salt. so, this is another opinion? help!

[jadefoodog]

my guppies will often hang out near the filter or the heater

yeah i do think they are sleeping cause its only for a little while

[Holly9937]

The 2 guppys I had almost always lingered at the very top of the tank, it was just where they seemed to like to be.

And no salt is needed for guppys, or mollys, or any other "freshwater fish" that you hear need it, (unless they are truly "brackish", which neither of those are:)

[Aqualung]

Holly is right, guppies certainly don't need salt. Store employees are notorious for trying to sell things to customers that are unnecessary. Your parameters are fine (assuming you also have 0 nitrites). I would stop using the salt and just use your well water. Do water changes regularly and keep an eye on things. I think your guppy will be fine, it's not unusual for guppies to hang out at the surface and rest for a while.

[spoonsofspinach]

Holly is right, guppies certainly don't need salt. Store employees are notorious for trying to sell things to customers that are unnecessary. Your parameters are fine (assuming you also have 0 nitrites). I would stop using the salt and just use your well water. Do water changes regularly and keep an eye on things. I think your guppy will be fine, it's not unusual for guppies to hang out at the surface and rest for a while.

Actually, I already had the salt. I was just speaking to the guy on the phone and told him about my set up. He said it was all fine but suggested I add some salt for improved oxygenation, etc. I just thought a one time addition would suffice anyway. I'm very relieved to read/hear someone say that my parameters are okay as I have no idea as to what they should be. :D

I've seen the guppies 'rest' in the past. This guppy just seemed to be doing it for an unusally long time. Oh well, thanks for the advice and info folks.

Now, I'm back to Big Al's to order an iron testing kit (for my well water as I'm sure it fluctuates with the seasons), a nitrite testing kit and RO RIGHT!!

[spoonsofspinach]

This morning, the guppy is no longer hanging at the top of the tank. She was swimming around with the rest and ate with the rest. But, then she started going into the stump dec and staying there for extended periods of time. Her vent is really, really swollen and she is very red where her gravid spot is supposed to be. She can't be ready to have a brood as she already did on January 10. Any thoughts?