Guppy Emergency

I should preface this by saying I am fairly new to aquarium keeping, though I've read quite a bit I just started my first small tank.

One of my guppies appeared dead and was stuck to the filter intake, when I went to retrieve him (thinking he was deceased) I found he was still breathing and his side fins move. He doesn't seem to move his tail fin at all and can't swim... but he's still alive. I did notice that he was hanging out toward the bottom of the tank last night, but he seemed ok so I didn't pursue it any further.

The tank is freshwater and is only a few weeks old, it is 3 gallons. I have had two "Tequila Sunrise" male guppies and one ghost shrimp in it since I started. I just added the guppy in question on Friday, he is a blue fancy guppy. He did great all weekend, schooling with the other guppies and eating. I don't have my water testing supplies so I can't test the water until tomorrow, but it was doing fine.

I feel bad for the poor guy, I don't know if its tail and fin rot or what... but I wish I knew how to help him

Anyone with any advice would be greatly welcome and appreciated!

Thank you!

Update:

I have put him a a QT bowl, I don't have another tank to put him in tonight. I set up a typical fish bowl and have an airstone in it. I hope this is ok, I just wanted to keep him from spreading something if he has an infection. I also don't want him getting stuck to the filter intake again

I took a quick picture, but it isn't very helpful I'm afraid. His belly looks more swollen in the photo than it actually is, its the coloration and angle. He doesn't really look bloated compared to how he was when I brought him home. I did see him try to move his tail a bit though. I hate to see him suffering

It's not sounding good i'm afraid. Once guppys lose half of there tails they rarely make it.
They just get exhausted trying to keep balance.

Even though guppys are small fish they are active and need at least a 10 gallon tanks.



Is there any red patches or fungus around the missing tail area.

Has another fish caused the missing tail, or even the shrimp. Or did the filter do the damage.


Check your water stats also. It's very important in a cycling tank.

You really need a heater in a quarantine tank.

WILDER said:

It's not sounding good i'm afraid. Once guppys lose half of there tails they rarely make it.
They just get exhausted trying to keep balance.

Even though guppys are small fish they are active and need at least a 10 gallon tanks.



Is there any red patches or fungus around the missing tail area.

Has another fish caused the missing tail, or even the shrimp. Or did the filter do the damage.


Check your water stats also. It's very important in a cycling tank.

You really need a heater in a quarantine tank.

Click to expand...

I will be checking my water in a bit, but I've been checking religiously and so far I hadn't gotten out of whack.

The fin actually isn't missing any pieces, his fin (and all the others in the store in his tank like him) is a V shape. I don't think it has actually been damaged. I did put a heater in with him, I had a mini one that someone gave me. There is no fungus or discoloration.

As far as the size of the aquarium, by this weekend I should have a 10 long set up and the plan is to move these guys over to it when its ready. I'm going to move my Betta to the three gallon. Would that be a better situation for them?

I'll check my water and see if it is the problem, but if not (and he survives til I can get back home, had to go to work early before the stores open) should I try treating him with anything?

Thank you so much for your reply!

The 3 gal is a better option for the sick fish.

Let me know how he gets on if you don't mind.

Good Luck.