guppy life span

[Holly9937]

I just read the species profile that said they only live for about 2 years. Anyone know how old they are when they are sold at an LFS? I have 2 fancy male guppys in my tank, had them for a bit over a year. I turned on the lights later than normal today to find one floating upside down with his tail completely gone (still alive :sad: ). I'm hoping he was just weak from old age and the other fish took advantage. But with the discovery of 2 one eyed fish earlier this week I am also on the look out for a killer

 

[tanker]

They do live for only about 2+ years. The ones at the store are only a few months.

IMO--You have a killer.

 

[tricksterpup]

Holly, there could be various reasons why your fish went belly up, please forgive the pun. But how many fish do you have in the tank? What size? Do you do weekly water changes? It could be from countless other reasons.

Now from the life span, I have read they last from anywhere from 1.5 years to about 2 years but I have seen some in healthy systems last about 2.5 to almost 3. Now I know that most fish sold at stores are males that have reached adult hood, so I want to say he may have been from anywhere from 6-9 months, but do not quote me on that. It just depends on the dealer and breeder you got your fish from, so he could have been from any where from 6 months to 1 year of age.

 

[Holly9937]

Tank is well maintained, all tests are good. There are neons, blackskirts, serpaes, scissortails, corys, a couple of plecos, a few balas and 5 clown loaches. Except for the clowns, most of the fish have been together for well over a year. I know the balas may eventually snack on the small fish, but I haven't lost any neons due to them (the biggest one is about 4-5 inches). However, I realize with the fish in the tank any weak ones will quickly be taken advantage of. Not sure what would have been wrong with it though, it seemed very healthy up until the fact

I'm starting to suspect the clowns, they're the only "new" addition. They've only been in the tank for maybe a month or two...They are all pretty good sized, about 3-4 inches, and pretty thick

I didn't get the guppy fromt the most high quality place, so I'm going to hope that age was a factor. After finding the 2 eyeless fish I'm just becoming concerned, however the eyeless cory is a new addition (after a 3 week QT), so maybe he had some issue I couldn't detect. Not sure what the neons excuse is.

Should I consider adding some small snails or ghost shrimp to take any predation away from my fish if that is the cause?????

 

[tanker]

I do not think it is the clown loaches. They get big but are peaceful. I would suspect the Serpeas or black-skirts. The are known fin-nippers.

 

[Holly9937]

Neither of mine are aggressive at all. I think because they are in big enough schools and a big enough tank, they completely ignore the other fish. Like I said, I've had all these fish for a while (together) with no problems. I don't know why a year+ later they would decide to turn on the other fish. I'm home quite a bit now a days an notice no different behavior. However, the other guppy is hanging around the bottom of the tank today, which it never does it is usually within an inch of the top! I'm wondering if they were just getting old and are getting picked on b/c it is showing in their behavior. But I didn't notice the othe one hanging around the bottom yesterday at all?!?! ( I don't mean to sound like I am discounting the advice, I just don't think some of the suggestions are fitting according to what I observe )

 

[tanker]

Like I said, I've had all these fish for a while (together) with no problems. I don't know why a year+ later they would decide to turn on the other fish. )

They not turning on other fish. As they get older/bigger fish need more room, and get territorial (that is just nature). As the guppy gets older he is also weaker/slower so during feeding ect the "now bigger" tetras may harass it (but not the clown loach).

 

[Holly9937]

Well, the 2nd guppy is now in QT, he doesn't look sick, but he was hiding in a plant, which I had never seen either of them do. He is very perky now, not sure if it is the stress of moving that has made him more alert or what... This may be his new home. I'm going to give him a few days and see if anything seems to be wrong...

Was he just lonely???

 

[tricksterpup]

Well, the 2nd guppy is now in QT, he doesn't look sick, but he was hiding in a plant, which I had never seen either of them do. He is very perky now, not sure if it is the stress of moving that has made him more alert or what... This may be his new home. I'm going to give him a few days and see if anything seems to be wrong...

Was he just lonely???

Possibly, guppies are schooling fish, I think you should just pick him up a girlfriend so he can raise a family.

 

[Holly9937]

Maybe I'll do that if he still looks good in a couple of days. I don't plan on replacing any of the smaller fish in the tank when they die, but I don't want him to be unhappy either!! I certainly wouldn't have a problem with keeping their population down... Free fish food