guppy - head up, tail down not moving

[Fishy Mishy]

Earlier I noticed my male guppy (new) shimmying then I found him half way up tank, in the plants, head up, tail down, motionless.
I think he is dying but what from? And what about my other fish - will they be harmed.
I am in the Uk its gone midnight, I need to get to bed but cannot until I know whether I need to do something straight away.
Thanks

 

[Durbkat]

Separate the guppy into another tank and add some salt until someone else can suggest some medicine. But the best thing to do is to separate the guppy and add salt.

 

[Fishy Mishy]

I dont have another tank? Cannot add salt to one I have as I have tetras and corys
Just looked again
Has moved
Now hiding under a bridge on the bottom
Not shimmying any more but difficult to see

 

[Durbkat]

Well since you don't have another tank just hope that he doesn't spread it. And try to get a fish bowl or something and put an air pump in their and put some salt in their then do a water change every 3 to 4 days.

 

[WILDER]

How many gallons is the tank, what are your water tests in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate and ph, how many fish and which type, are the gill red and inflamed, any flicking and rubbing against objects.

 

[Annastasia]

Does this Guppy, by any chance have a big fancy tail? As I have seen the behavior you are describing (Or I think you are describing) in some Fancy Guppies, with way-too-big tails. They have trouble moving, because their tail is just too big for their body. Or does he look really sick?

If he isn't a Fancy, just ignore me.

 

[black angel]

Sounds like livebearer disease or molly disease. Its not a disease but a reaction the water not having enough electrolytes (minerals).
You can get something called shimmy block or start right.
Livebearers need some tonic salt in the tank to help balance their systems, so you may need to move the corys out.

 

[WILDER]

Not the writer of this information.

Shimmies



Symptoms:

This disease is named for the curious behavior seen in afflicted fish. Fish will swim with an odd, shimmying movement of the body. If left untreated, the afflicted fish will become unable to swim and will sit on the bottom, listlessly shimmying. This disease affects mostly livebearers, and particularly Mollies.



Cause:

Cause unkown but may be due to a variety of numerous pathogens, including protozoan, bacterial, and fungal.



Treatment:

Isolate the fish in a hospital tank and increase the temperature to 85°F (27°C). Treat with a broad spectrum antibiotic. Also ensure that the water chemistry is within acceptable ranges. Livebearers' should always be kept in water that has a pH of 7.8 - 8.3 and a hardness of 15°DH+.

 

[Fishy Mishy]

Not the writer of this information.

Shimmies



Symptoms:

This disease is named for the curious behavior seen in afflicted fish. Fish will swim with an odd, shimmying movement of the body. If left untreated, the afflicted fish will become unable to swim and will sit on the bottom, listlessly shimmying. This disease affects mostly livebearers, and particularly Mollies.



Cause:

Cause unkown but may be due to a variety of numerous pathogens, including protozoan, bacterial, and fungal.



Treatment:

Isolate the fish in a hospital tank and increase the temperature to 85°F (27°C). Treat with a broad spectrum antibiotic. Also ensure that the water chemistry is within acceptable ranges. Livebearers' should always be kept in water that has a pH of 7.8 - 8.3 and a hardness of 15°DH+.

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thanks everyone for your time - he died - all other fish seems fine. But your advice has meant I know what to do should this happen again - need to go and get myself a hospital tank now. Thanks

 

[WILDER]

Sorry R.I.P.