sick guppies

Discussion in 'General Discussions' started by HeinrichvH, Feb 6, 2012.

  1. HeinrichvH

    HeinrichvH

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    Good day

    I have lost 7 guppies in two days. I have noticed that the ones that died was swimming in the stream by the outlet of the filter.
    They also had this slimy whitish coating on their skin that also covered their eyes and head.
    I did test the water and everything in the water seems fine.
    What can it be?

    Thanks.
     
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  3. Corne

    Corne

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    What is your water temp
    Have you added any new fish plants recently ?
    Oxygen ?
     
  4. OP
    HeinrichvH

    HeinrichvH

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    @Corne. Yes plants and fish.
    Water temp is 25deg
     
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  5. Noodle

    Noodle

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    Dude, I'm going to stick my neck out on this.

    Madmike, the Vicepresident of the Boston Guppy club has this to say:

    SLIME DISEASE

    What is it?
    Also refer to Costia, as the two diseases share similar symptoms.

    Not one particular disease, but more a symptom of various diseases.

    It is very dangerous for a fish to overproduce mucus. If the mucus covers the gills death will occur rapidly from suffocation.

    This disease will usually only occur when the fish are stressed. Common stresses include overcrowding, poor water quality, malnutrition or sudden temperature changes.

    Symptoms:
    Excess mucus covering any part of the body. The mucus is gray/white to blue in colour. If mucus is covering gills the fish will exhibit rapid breathing. The may also scratch against aquarium objects, however this may or may not occur. It is also indicative of many other parasitic fish diseases. Scales may be lost due to scratching.

    Cure:
    Firstly, make sure the water is of a high quality, check pH and ammonia levels. Do a 30-50% water change. Correct these and proceed with treatment.

    General parasite treatments will work fine here. Copper based treatments, such as malachite green, work very well. These treatments may need to be repeated to ensure a full recovery. Remember to remove any activated carbon form your filter first, this takes medicine out of the water.

    Salt added to the aquarium will make a great improvement. (0.6%) That's providing the fish can handle small amounts of salt.

    Raising the water temperature slightly may also help
    .
     
  6. BBQ

    BBQ

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    @HeinrichvH sorry to hear about you lost I just had the same problem (dead guppies) but no white stuff covered
    but I feel you sadness.
     
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  7. OP
    HeinrichvH

    HeinrichvH

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    Yeah @BBQ. I can't stand it when my fish dies
     
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  8. BBQ

    BBQ

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    Yup cos they are so cute + gets the wife on ur head in my case..
     
  9. OP
    HeinrichvH

    HeinrichvH

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    Lol. Same here. And I realy lost some nice males and huge females
     
  10. Corne

    Corne

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    I have show guppies(PETSTOP,s) and 2 females is very pregnant ,I will donate a few fry to you
    God willing the fry make it
     
  11. Dirk

    Dirk Dwarf Catfish

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    Hi Heinrich,

    Although one commonly thinks that guppies are about the toughest things out, this is not quite the case. They are quite prone to the introduction of new fishes and then the slime disease as described by Henk, is one of the primary causes of problems. The bottom line is that in spite of all that one would think, even with guppies you have to quarantine new fishes before introducing them to a new tank. Fortunately guppies are not too expensive and can be replaced, although I can understand that you were proud of your own fishes and were attached to them

    Kind regards,

    Dirk
     
  12. Spath

    Spath

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    @BBQ - Have yours stopped dying yet?
     
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  13. OP
    HeinrichvH

    HeinrichvH

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    I found one more dead guppy this morning. The rest of them looks fine. Will keep an eye on them during the day.
     
  14. BBQ

    BBQ

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    @Spath ye stopped but platy gonna go soon
    3 of them
    @HeinrichvH sorry to hear again
     
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  15. BBQ

    BBQ

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    I spoke to didi at petstop again today,
    And I'm gonna take them there to see wtf
    Is going on. Maybe do it tomorrow
     
  16. Spath

    Spath

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    Sounds like a guppedemic...

    Sorry, that may be in poor taste.
     
  17. Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

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    I would carry on with frequent water changes.
    You never know if the other fish might have it but not be showing symptoms yet.
     
  18. BBQ

    BBQ

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    Just did a 15L water change.
    Took out one toy in there and replaced with 3 smaller drift wood that I have soaked for 2 weeks.
    hopefully non dies from now on.
    still wanna take those platys in and see whats going on.. or fish biltong will become of them.
    I know it sounds shitty but gota let them go if they gonna cause more problems.
     
  19. OP
    HeinrichvH

    HeinrichvH

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    Found another dead guppy tonight. Man this sucks
     
  20. Paul

    Paul

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    sad man
     
  21. BBQ

    BBQ

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    @HeinrichvH how do the peform in ur current tank? floating or sinking, and is there any white spots or deform?
    and when was last that you brought new fish / plants in the tank?
    maybe something is dodgy - and what food are u feeding them?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 2, 2016

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