guppy crisis

L

longhorn

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Dec 2, 2002
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I have been consistently loosing guppies in my small 5 g tank. This tank started as a breeding tank for the new born guppies. I used to have 20 of the guppy babies. But one after another they all died (except the last lucky one) in the last 2 month. Then I bought 4 more grown-up guppies a week ago. Today after giving birth to 5 guppy babies yesterday one of the female grown-up guppies died. I have been testing water consitently since this crisis started all the parameters looked fine (I don't have the exact reading but all within safe range). I also did a few large water change but the sadness just keep going. Can someone suggest what might be going on here?
 
A 5 gallon tank is pretty small for that many fish, even juveniles. What, exactly, are the parameters? Because anything other than 0 for ammonia and nitrites is not fine--it indicates an imbalance in the tank, and inadequate biological filtration. More frequent water changes will help, but ultimately, I don't think a 5 is a big enough tank to raise guppies. Tanks for raising fry should be very stable, and with such a small volume of water, it's going to take a lot of effort to keep it from fluctuating.
 
Thanks for replying quickly. I will get the parameters tonight but I know the PH is 7.2. How often do you think I need to change the water to keep them healthy in a 5 gallon tank? By the way, the tank has been up and running for about 3 years.
 
I raise some fry in a 5 gal, theres probally 15 to 20 in there at one time. I use a small sponge filter and a box filter, alternating cleanings. I do a very quick bottom vac maybe 1&1/2 gals. The big factor is feedings its real easy to over feed fry. They eat a very small amount.
I started out with alot of store bought guppy deaths. I was luckey enough to get fry from 10 different females. now after the 3rd and 4th generation I have fat females and great looking males. All very hearty. It just takes time.
Good luck :cool:
 
now after the 3rd and 4th generation I have fat females and great looking males. All very hearty. It just takes time.


I saw you mentioned fat females and great looking males, and this is the problem I had even when my "home born" guppies were alive. The females were really thin and the the males do not look too colorful. Was this your experience with your first generation "home grown" guppies?

Thanks!
 
Do you have the adults in the 5 gal? Once my fry are big enough to be sexed they go to a bigger tank. I still have 3 first gen females. They are in a 29 gal. They are 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 inches ard are a well over a year old.
What do you feed?
 
I just feed them the regular flakes. Although I also have Guppy food (smaller flakes) at home but they do not seem to be interested in the guppy food. Plus, most of smaller flakes will sink to the bottom and get wasted.
 
I keep most of my live bearers for breeding in larger tanks, except for my dwarf livebearers. I have done well keeping my guppies in a species only 15 and 20 gal tanks. If you try larger tank, plant life and regular water changes; you will notice a much better improvement with your fish.


jim
 
Lost another Guppy yesterday. I tested my water quiet a few times in the last few week. Amonia, Nitrate, Nitrite are all in safe level according to my water tester. PH level is 7.2 to 7.4, but my guppies just keep dying. Here are my observations and question:

1. Some fishes got symptom of fin and tail rot. My question is since my water quality is good, how did they get the disease. I treated the water with anti-bateria but it does not seem to work.

2. I noticed at least in three instances before female guppies died, their body shape change. From flat to curve downward from their dorsal fins, and they started to swim strangely, and then they start hiding, and then they died. Is the curving of body indicate some sort of disease?
 
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