Guppy Hovering Near Bottom And Doing Occasional Somersaults

[seachubbs]

I've got 13 guppies in my 60l tank plus a new plec. Water is tested twice a week and is zero for nh3 and no2 and 10 for no3, and ph7, temp 23. Today one guppy, who looks less well fed than the others, started hovering above the gravel as if he were sleepimg and doing little somersaults if he pointed himself down towards the gravel and attacking everyone that comes near. No external signs of ailments and did feed this afternoon albeit with a few somersaults! All other fish are fine. Nothing has changed in the tank for 7days and that was only by putting in a plec and 3 guppies, fish all from same shop, filter cleaned and last water change was 7 days ago. I have fed the plec some little catfish pellets and some cucumber which the guppies eat but they have all been eating them and only this one is poorly. If i didnt know better it looks like brain damage - Any ideas anyone please?

 

[snazy]

temp 23?
That looks to me quite low for tropical fish like guppies, although I am not certain it is related to the original issue, but can affect the health and succeptability to diseases.

 

[seachubbs]

It has been 23 temp for last 6 months and i have read that higher temps make guppies more susceptible to disease hence my temp is 23-24. Given it is stable i dont think that is likely to be the issue though.

 

[snazy]

Fair enough. I don't think the temp is the problem either.
That strange behaviour sounds like a toxic poisoning, swim bladder problem maybe? The new fish may have introduced something nasty too, but it's hard to say without seeing it.

 

[seachubbs]

Maybe - i've used the same fish shop for all my guppies and their tanks are always in good condition as are their fish but i guess you never know. The guppy is very skinny, not at all bloated. Maybe i'll never know!

 

[This Old Spouse]

I'd suggest a very large water change ... remove enough so the fish can just swim upright, then replace with dechlorinated, temp-matched water. I'd suggest using Seachem Prime to dechlor as it also removes other yucky stuff from the water.