Guppy Gang?

Could the fish be overfed?

I know myself with kids, the fish always look hungry and kids cant resist :look:


Are you changing the filter sponges for new ones every two months, this would explain a ammonia surge? at most you should just rinse the worst off of them in tank water and put then straight back in place
Funny you asked that question only because the pet store told me that if they were picking on each other, we weren't feeding them enough. Originally, we were told to feed them just once a day, as much as they'll eat in a few minutes. And yes, I change the charcoal filter monthly (yesterday, I changed just the charcoal filter). And I change the other two every other month (I changed all 3 the first week of July). And yesterday, I did rinse the worst of what was on the white foam-like filter.

Sorry, i should have mentioned the filter. The filter is where all of your ammonia eating bacteria will live., and your going to make them with your "cycle". Chances are, you have some already becaue your fish have been in there producing ammonia.

A few questions so we can help further;

Do you have a test kit or have the store tested the water at all? Some readings would be great right now!
Have you been using a dechorinator before changing or putting water in the tank?
You havent mentioned the heater. Is it on, and whats the temp?

Test kits are your best friend, and will give you pretty good indicators on why things are wrong in your tank. ANY amount of ammonia in the tank could be lethal to a fish, and its in your tank, now.

If you havent already, do a water change right now (if possible, and only if you have a dechlorinator)


You'll be alright soon!

I certainly did not over-clean the gravel -- I figured some of the poop and stuff needed to stay.
Ugh . . . so I probably failed Tropical with my good intentions. He was already stressed and I probably made things worse.

Thanks everyone! Would still love more thoughts if anyone wants to chime in . . . b/c I swear Tropical had a huge chunk of his tail missing yesterday and that doesn't have anything to do with cycling . . .

The first paragraph is funny :) You didnt fail, you've learned one waythat fish cant survive. Thats a win, if you remember it :)

The problem with tropical tanks is they re delicate. And a lot of the crud in the tank, is good for it! (Poop on the bottom however, just sits there producing more ammonia, getit all out :))
Hi. I answered your questions, but I failed to reply directly to you, so if you could please scan the thread for my response, I would greatly appreciate it! :) Thanks!

I think they might be bullying. At least that really is what it looks like, especially if you are noticing rips in tails and such.

Are all the guppys males? Most lps I've talked to say 2 female for 1 male. and males will fight.
Someone one the forum, however, told me to get only males or I'll be over run with babies (yikes).

It may be because you introduced them at different times. (Making a mental note to add all mine at once. haha)

Tanks differ for cyling times. 2 weeks to 2 months sometimes longer. :/
Sounds as if your tank should be cycled by now though.
Yes, all male. I was told the same as you -- that I would have a tank full of babies! Of course, my daughter wouldn't complain about babies . . . ha!

I think they might be bullying. At least that really is what it looks like, especially if you are noticing rips in tails and such.

Are all the guppys males? Most lps I've talked to say 2 female for 1 male. and males will fight.
Someone one the forum, however, told me to get only males or I'll be over run with babies (yikes).

It may be because you introduced them at different times. (Making a mental note to add all mine at once. haha)

Tanks differ for cyling times. 2 weeks to 2 months sometimes longer. :/
Sounds as if your tank should be cycled by now though.
Yes, all male. I was told the same as you -- that I would have a tank full of babies! Of course, my daughter wouldn't complain about babies . . . ha!
And was told, that if I introduced all at once, the ammonia would spike too high. I did 2, then 4 and was told I shouldn't have added 4 at once to the 2. Go figure.

If you have an established tank the new amount of ammonia will be very quickly adjusted to. It also depends how big the tank is. Mine is a 30G, so adding 5 or 6 guppys won't be as bad.
Only 6 gallons. Fluval Edge. First post explains everything . . .
 
Are you saying that you completely change your filter media every 2 months?
 
Were going off on a tangent here, lets get back to the point of saving the remaining fish.

HOW did you cycle? Im still convinced its a cycling issue, not a problem with the fish.....
 
I am very frustrated (sorry!) I did cycle the tank. I cycled it fishless -- then with just 2 guppies for quite a while.

Running the tank with no fish in doesn't constitute a fishless cycle, sorry. You won't grow any bacteria on your filter because there is no ammonia being produced to feed it.

You ARE in a fish-in cycle with the guppies now, though. First thing to do is go out and grab some testing kits of your own for ammonia and nitrite. I'd suspect there are problems with your water because of the shrimps' deaths - they are notoriously sensitive to any 'bad' water parameters.

The reason the 'new guy' always dies is probably because the other fish have become somewhat acclimatised to the water conditions, plus the 'new guys' will be stressed anyway and more likely to succumb. Chunks out of the tail could also be signs of fin rot, which is caused by poor water conditions.

Until we know the actual parameters of your water we can only guess, really.
 
+1 for Lou's comments, you simply havnt cycled your filter in the correct way and then replacing the sponges simply reboots the filter to a new and uncycled condition.

I suggest having another read of the beginners cycling section, doesnt sound like you've read into it as much as you could have.

Getting your own test kit can save you a lot of hastle going backwards and forwards to the fish shop and every responsible fish keeper should have their own kit no matter how big/small the tank is.

Some fish will die to ammonia poisoning quickly, while others are able to withstand it for longer, in the same way some people can hold their breath under water longer than others :)

If it all sounds too complicated and you are not sure whats what, then do a 50% water change every day for the next 4 weeks and make sure you add dechlorinator to the new water going into the tank. Dont touch your filter and dont replace anything inside it. This is a very simplified course of action which will give you time to read and learn more info.

Certainly dont add any more fish ;)

gluck.
 
I too doubt that the tank was cycled in the begining as 1) you don't mention adding ammonia to the tank and 2) a week or so is just far too short - it does however fit with the "advice" which is often given to let the tank settle / cycle for a week before adding fish which the fish shops will often give.

Can I ask - how are you introducing the new fish to the tank? Do you float the bag they come in on the surface for a bit and tip him in? The "correct" method (there are many of these!) is to introduce some water from your tank gradually - either a little at a time from a cup or dripping it in). The reason for doing this (as well as floating to equalise the temp) is to get the pH to roughly the same level to avoid pH shock which can kill. The old fish have adapted to the water conditions however the new guy gets a heck of a shock. This on top of the (probable) toxic water sees him off!

You're certainly in a Fish In cycle and need to be changing water out on a daily basis - the test kit will help you judge how much.

Don't be worried that you've "done it all wrong" etc - we all make mistakes :)

Miles
 
If it all sounds too complicated and you are not sure whats what, then do a 50% water change every day for the next 4 weeks and make sure you add dechlorinator to the new water going into the tank. Dont touch your filter and dont replace anything inside it. This is a very simplified course of action which will give you time to read and learn more info.
That's excellent advice; lets face it, a 50% water change on an Edge takes no time at all :)
 
Are you saying that you completely change your filter media every 2 months?
Yes. This is what I was told to do.
charcoal every month
The other two every other month.

If it all sounds too complicated and you are not sure whats what, then do a 50% water change every day for the next 4 weeks and make sure you add dechlorinator to the new water going into the tank. Dont touch your filter and dont replace anything inside it. This is a very simplified course of action which will give you time to read and learn more info.
That's excellent advice; lets face it, a 50% water change on an Edge takes no time at all :)
Very true. I did about a 25% change on Tuesday and it didn't take long at all.
It would be just as easy to do a 50% change. Thanks.

I too doubt that the tank was cycled in the begining as 1) you don't mention adding ammonia to the tank and 2) a week or so is just far too short - it does however fit with the "advice" which is often given to let the tank settle / cycle for a week before adding fish which the fish shops will often give.

Can I ask - how are you introducing the new fish to the tank? Do you float the bag they come in on the surface for a bit and tip him in? The "correct" method (there are many of these!) is to introduce some water from your tank gradually - either a little at a time from a cup or dripping it in). The reason for doing this (as well as floating to equalise the temp) is to get the pH to roughly the same level to avoid pH shock which can kill. The old fish have adapted to the water conditions however the new guy gets a heck of a shock. This on top of the (probable) toxic water sees him off!

You're certainly in a Fish In cycle and need to be changing water out on a daily basis - the test kit will help you judge how much.

Don't be worried that you've "done it all wrong" etc - we all make mistakes :)

Miles
Thanks Miles. Yes, I followed the advice re: floating the bag to equalize the temp but no one told me about gradually introducing water from the tank into the bag. I see what you're saying abou pH shock. Thanks. I am going to take some water in today to get tested.
 
Are you saying that you completely change your filter media every 2 months?
Yes. This is what I was told to do.
charcoal every month
The other two every other month.
LFS and manufacturers always say that, it's just a ploy to get more money out of you, I'm afraid :(

I have filter media that's been moved from tank to tank and filter to filter for 20+ years and is still fine. I'd stop using the charcoal/carbon anyway and replace it with another sponge or more ceramic noodles (the noodles would be better; less need to clean!).
 
Were going off on a tangent here, lets get back to the point of saving the remaining fish.

HOW did you cycle? Im still convinced its a cycling issue, not a problem with the fish.....

I ran the tank empty for about 2.5 weeks. Then introduced 2 guppies.
When water tested "perfect," I introduced two ghost shrimp.
They died immediately.
Waited about 3 weeks and introduced 4 guppies.
With regards to cycling -- I did what the "aquatic specialists" told me to do.
I have had multiple water tests. Only one came back poorly (high ammonia) after one of the 4 guppies died.
It was about time for a water change and the guy I have been working with said to get it done asap and I did.

Are you saying that you completely change your filter media every 2 months?
Yes. This is what I was told to do.
charcoal every month
The other two every other month.
LFS and manufacturers always say that, it's just a ploy to get more money out of you, I'm afraid :(

I have filter media that's been moved from tank to tank and filter to filter for 20+ years and is still fine. I'd stop using the charcoal/carbon anyway and replace it with another sponge or more ceramic noodles (the noodles would be better; less need to clean!).
Okay. Thanks. So how often do you recommend? Never? 20 years you've used the same media from tank to tank?
And I will replace the charcoal with more noodles.
 
People always say "only replace it when it's falling apart"; I've never had any media that's fallen apart! So, no, it never needs changing.

I am still using the same media; although over the years I've upgraded tanks and filters, so now those old sponges are really just kept mature in my big filters in case I need to set up quarantine or hospital tanks :)
 
People always say "only replace it when it's falling apart"; I've never had any media that's fallen apart! So, no, it never needs changing.

I am still using the same media; although over the years I've upgraded tanks and filters, so now those old sponges are really just kept mature in my big filters in case I need to set up quarantine or hospital tanks :)
Thanks! I plan to have the water tested today. Will post results. Will stop changing media (except to replace charcoal with more noodles).
Thanks again. :)
 
You're welcome; my son has an Edge with some Endler's and a couple of shrimp too :)
 
Water test results are in:

NitrAtes are slightly elevated (she said not to worry)
NitrItes ARE elevated
Ammonia is zero and everything else is normal too.

Well?
 

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