Do Guppies play Dead???

[leeser28]

I recently purchased 3 mail fancy tail guppies and they are in a 20 gal tank with 2 platys. I thought for sure that one died because he was at the top of the tank being very still and almost vertical - tail down. I kept watching and was about to get the net and he swam away. He swims for a bit and then floats at the top again (the other two like to float at the top but they aren't as still or as vertical). The first thing I did was check the water which had 0 ppm NH3, 0ppm NO2, 10 ppm NO3, pH 7.4, temp 77.4 F. He doesn't otherwise look ill, no spots, no gulping for air, his back does look a little more humped or rounded than the other 2 though. I've never had guppies before so I don't know much about their behavior. Any ideas?? Thanks, Lisa

 

[Slappy*McFish]

Sounds like a swim bladder problem or the fish swallowed some air while feeding. It may take just a couple of hours to correct itself. If not, then it's probably the swim bladder. If this is the case, don't feed the fish for 2-3 days then try feeding it some peas (skinned), raise the temp to about 80F, and add some epsom salt to the water. (about 1/2 tsp for your tank). If that doesn't work, try some medicated food.

 

[ChrisK]

Sounds like a swim bladder problem or the fish swallowed some air while feeding. It may take just a couple of hours to correct itself. If not, then it's probably the swim bladder. If this is the case, don't feed the fish for 2-3 days then try feeding it some peas (skinned), raise the temp to about 80F, and add some epsom salt to the water. (about 1/2 tsp for your tank). If that doesn't work, try some medicated food.

:werd:

 

[leeser28]

I wondered if it might be swim bladder - but since he wasn't upside down... I'll hold off on the food (he was actually a little sluggish before I fed them tonight so I don't think it happened while eating) unless he seem better tomorrow. Thanks so much!! Lisa

 

[jm1212]

try feeding them all some shelled peas

 

[jb-ny]

I have a similar problem with my guppy he is sitting on the bottom of the tank and looks like he is trying to vomit??? Is this a similar situation?
All the other fish are fine.

 

[leeser28]

I'm beginning to think mine's not going to make it. Mine looks more like he's sleeping.

 

[wataugachicken]

I have a similar problem with my guppy he is sitting on the bottom of the tank and looks like he is trying to vomit??? Is this a similar situation?
All the other fish are fine.

I would suggest you start a new thread for your problem, but until then - by "trying to vomit", do you mean the fish is gasping or maybe jerking around? could it have something stuck in its mouth? what are the water parameters for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate? what size tank, what/how many other fish?

include all that info when you start your new thread.

 

[stezatois]

mine rest in a similar position up in the floating plants, but they are usually up and active again once they are well rested

 

[leeser28]

mine rest in a similar position up in the floating plants, but they are usually up and active again once they are well rested

I did some more research - the one did die. It was a swim bladder issue and he got suck into the filter uptake and the stress of bing plastered against it did him in I think. The other 2 are fine, they just like hanging out at the top.