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Hi Guys. Advice about a female guppy
- Thread starter Paul65
- Start date
If the scales are sticking out sideways from the body then the fish has a internal bacterial or protozoan infection. The sudden bloating, scales sticking out from the body combined with the stringy white poop, not eating and sitting around doing nothing would suggest an advanced case of Tuberculosis (TB). However, it could also be an advanced protozoan infection.
There is no cure for TB because the TB bacterium destroy the internal organs and when the organ/s ruptures, the fish swells up and dies from organ failure.
If it's a protozoan infection it might respond to Metronidazole but I don't normally use that so won't give directions on its use, other than to say it works better if the fish eat it, and will wipe out filter bacteria so it's best to treat in a separate quarantine tank. It's also a good idea to treat all the fish in the tank.
Assuming they don't die in the next few hours, you can see how the fish do over the next 24 hours, but if they don't pick up then I would euthanize them.
There is no cure for TB because the TB bacterium destroy the internal organs and when the organ/s ruptures, the fish swells up and dies from organ failure.
If it's a protozoan infection it might respond to Metronidazole but I don't normally use that so won't give directions on its use, other than to say it works better if the fish eat it, and will wipe out filter bacteria so it's best to treat in a separate quarantine tank. It's also a good idea to treat all the fish in the tank.
Assuming they don't die in the next few hours, you can see how the fish do over the next 24 hours, but if they don't pick up then I would euthanize them.
Thanks. One has now sadly died, the other doesn’t look to good.
I’m worried about the other three females in there now! I’ve changed the water 50% today, and had the water tested, that was all good.
The other three seem to be okay, but I’m not putting any more in there. I’m not sure how long I should leave it. I guess I should change the water again tomorrow.
I’m worried about the other three females in there now! I’ve changed the water 50% today, and had the water tested, that was all good.
The other three seem to be okay, but I’m not putting any more in there. I’m not sure how long I should leave it. I guess I should change the water again tomorrow.
It’s strange how it’s the two big female guppies! And has not seemed to of affected the smaller, younger three.
I think the one that’s almost died brought something in the tank with her! These two guppies were always together, being the biggest playing.
I do hope the other three are okay
I think the one that’s almost died brought something in the tank with her! These two guppies were always together, being the biggest playing.
I do hope the other three are okay
You should. Most chain pet stores have a 14 day guarantee on their fish. I know that policy changes for local fish stores, but even they usually have some sort of guarantee. You may have to take a water sample with you to prove your tank isn't what killed the fish, but definitely take the dead fish and your receipt with you.
If the fish died it is probably Tuberculosis and the fish has had it for months. The high temperature in your tank sped the process up and the fish suffered major organ failure.
If the place you bought them from is breeding them, then they have TB in their system. However, if they bought the fish in from an importer, the breeder, importer, shop and you now have it in your tanks.
There is no way a shop could know the fish has TB because fish act normally when infected by it, until an organ ruptures and the fish dies within 24-48 hours of showing symptoms. The problem goes back to the breeders who supplied the fish.
Assuming it is TB, you would have to get a vet to do an necropsy and send samples off to be cultured, and that takes a couple of weeks and costs money. Then you would have to find the breeders and confront them with the vet report.
The younger fish may or may not be infected with it. But even if they are infected, the disease probably hasn't progressed as far in them because they are younger and would have been infected more recently. So you will have something to look forward to in the coming months
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The other option is an intestinal protozoan infection, however these usually cause the fish to lose weight while doing stringy white poop and they die within a day to a week or so after they start showing symptoms (stringy white poop).
Again you would need to take a fish to the vet and get it tested, and the supplier could argue the fish developed the infection in your tank.
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At this stage I would not bother doing water changes any more than once a week unless you have an ammonia, nitrite or nitrate issue. I would monitor all your fish because both TB and protozoan infections are highly infectious and can easily be spread from tank to tank via contaminated water, fish, plants, wet net or anything basically that goes from one tank to another.
If the rest of the guppies balloon up and start doing stringy white poop in the next few days to a week, then it is most likely a protozoan infection and you should try Metronidazole. But if no more do stringy white poop and bloat for a month or more then it is TB.
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Make sure you wash your hands and arms with warm soapy water after doing anything in the tanks. And if you have any cuts or scratches on your hands or arms, do not put them in the tanks or let aquarium water get onto the wounds. If this is TB it can infect people through opens wounds in the skin. You don't normally get a big infection but you can develop granulomas (small hard lumps in the skin) where the infection is and it can take months to treat.
If you do develop any sores that don't heal up quickly, or turn lumpy, tell your doctor you have fish and get them to take a swab and have it tested for Mycobacterium (TB). Do not take any anti-biotics until you have the results from the test because if you do get a TB infection, only certain anti-biotics will treat it. Best to know what it is before taking something that might not cure it.
On a brighter note, TB cross contamination from fish to people is uncommon and usually occurs in old people, young children or people with a weakened immune system. And washing hands with warm soapy water after working in a tank will significantly reduce the chance of developing an infection.
If the place you bought them from is breeding them, then they have TB in their system. However, if they bought the fish in from an importer, the breeder, importer, shop and you now have it in your tanks.
There is no way a shop could know the fish has TB because fish act normally when infected by it, until an organ ruptures and the fish dies within 24-48 hours of showing symptoms. The problem goes back to the breeders who supplied the fish.
Assuming it is TB, you would have to get a vet to do an necropsy and send samples off to be cultured, and that takes a couple of weeks and costs money. Then you would have to find the breeders and confront them with the vet report.
The younger fish may or may not be infected with it. But even if they are infected, the disease probably hasn't progressed as far in them because they are younger and would have been infected more recently. So you will have something to look forward to in the coming months
--------------------------
The other option is an intestinal protozoan infection, however these usually cause the fish to lose weight while doing stringy white poop and they die within a day to a week or so after they start showing symptoms (stringy white poop).
Again you would need to take a fish to the vet and get it tested, and the supplier could argue the fish developed the infection in your tank.
--------------------------
At this stage I would not bother doing water changes any more than once a week unless you have an ammonia, nitrite or nitrate issue. I would monitor all your fish because both TB and protozoan infections are highly infectious and can easily be spread from tank to tank via contaminated water, fish, plants, wet net or anything basically that goes from one tank to another.
If the rest of the guppies balloon up and start doing stringy white poop in the next few days to a week, then it is most likely a protozoan infection and you should try Metronidazole. But if no more do stringy white poop and bloat for a month or more then it is TB.
-------------------------
Make sure you wash your hands and arms with warm soapy water after doing anything in the tanks. And if you have any cuts or scratches on your hands or arms, do not put them in the tanks or let aquarium water get onto the wounds. If this is TB it can infect people through opens wounds in the skin. You don't normally get a big infection but you can develop granulomas (small hard lumps in the skin) where the infection is and it can take months to treat.
If you do develop any sores that don't heal up quickly, or turn lumpy, tell your doctor you have fish and get them to take a swab and have it tested for Mycobacterium (TB). Do not take any anti-biotics until you have the results from the test because if you do get a TB infection, only certain anti-biotics will treat it. Best to know what it is before taking something that might not cure it.
On a brighter note, TB cross contamination from fish to people is uncommon and usually occurs in old people, young children or people with a weakened immune system. And washing hands with warm soapy water after working in a tank will significantly reduce the chance of developing an infection.
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Gosh, thanks for that, even though it has scared the shite out of me. Fortunately I’m a hand washing freak, every time I go
Outside I wash erm when back. I wash all nets etc too but yeah it’s something to be cautious of now.
I’m watching the tanks like a halk, all male gupppies are as crazy as ever, the three females that I took out and put in with the 20 males are okay, with a divided for obviously reasons.
Thanks for all your help
On this. I’m really am so greatful.
Outside I wash erm when back. I wash all nets etc too but yeah it’s something to be cautious of now.
I’m watching the tanks like a halk, all male gupppies are as crazy as ever, the three females that I took out and put in with the 20 males are okay, with a divided for obviously reasons.
Thanks for all your help
On this. I’m really am so greatful.
Ihaveadogtoo.
It will as a on line retail, but I went to the place, didn’t like the idea of thm posting. It was like a industrial estate and th fish were ready for me even though I didn’t say a time I’d be there. No guarantee that other this place. Never again!
I usually buy froM Maidstone Aquatics, they Quarantine their fish for at least three weeks before you can’t buy, even though you can see them. You live and learn.
It will as a on line retail, but I went to the place, didn’t like the idea of thm posting. It was like a industrial estate and th fish were ready for me even though I didn’t say a time I’d be there. No guarantee that other this place. Never again!
I usually buy froM Maidstone Aquatics, they Quarantine their fish for at least three weeks before you can’t buy, even though you can see them. You live and learn.
Monitor the fish and if it doesn't eat in the next few days and stops swimming about, then euthanize her.
If it is TB you have a couple of choices.
1) give up fish keeping.
2) keep the fish until they die.
3) put them all down and disinfect everything and start again.
TB is everywhere, it is in every petshop and wholesaler's tanks around the world. If you have ever had fish from Asia, you probably have it in your tanks. Most people just accept it and remove any fish as soon as they show symptom (stop eating and balloon up). Some people scrap the tanks, disinfect everything and start again. But you cannot guarantee you won't get more infected fish. And other people destroy all their fish and give up fish keeping.
--------------------
If it's a protozoan infection it can sometimes be treated with Metronidazole but it depends on how many more guppies show those symptoms over the next week. If none of the other healthy fish show symptoms then it's probably TB.
If it is TB you have a couple of choices.
1) give up fish keeping.
2) keep the fish until they die.
3) put them all down and disinfect everything and start again.
TB is everywhere, it is in every petshop and wholesaler's tanks around the world. If you have ever had fish from Asia, you probably have it in your tanks. Most people just accept it and remove any fish as soon as they show symptom (stop eating and balloon up). Some people scrap the tanks, disinfect everything and start again. But you cannot guarantee you won't get more infected fish. And other people destroy all their fish and give up fish keeping.
--------------------
If it's a protozoan infection it can sometimes be treated with Metronidazole but it depends on how many more guppies show those symptoms over the next week. If none of the other healthy fish show symptoms then it's probably TB.
Wow that’s harsh. Euthaniza how do people do that, I mean what’s the the kindest way?
The one that had the white string is not right, she’s not eating or really swimming around much, if fact she’s acting like the one that died. If she is going to have the next 72 hours like the last one, I’d rather euthanasia than put her through that. If there’s a chance she can live, then obviously I’d like to try.
I’ve only ever got my fish from Maindnhead Aquatics or Pets at home apart from the one that died, with a couple of males, that was a internet place that posts, but I went and collected them. The two male, in the male tank are fine and show no signs of any illnesses. So maybe they were not ever with the female that died.
I’m not giving up fish keeping, I done this as a kid, now my kids have grow up, it’s something I’ve wanted to do again for a while.
If all the females eventually do die that’s in that tank, I will clean it up, and start again with that tank. Never will I buy from a internet shop again!
I have tested the water in the female tank, everything is perfect, shame this has happened.
I was going to put my seven Fry in there next Sunday, cos the females seem friendly, I thought they had a good chance to be left alone in there with them, I want be doing that now.
I will have to do something soon, last thing o want is the fry, brothers and sisters to start breeding! I think they get active at four weeks.
The one that had the white string is not right, she’s not eating or really swimming around much, if fact she’s acting like the one that died. If she is going to have the next 72 hours like the last one, I’d rather euthanasia than put her through that. If there’s a chance she can live, then obviously I’d like to try.
I’ve only ever got my fish from Maindnhead Aquatics or Pets at home apart from the one that died, with a couple of males, that was a internet place that posts, but I went and collected them. The two male, in the male tank are fine and show no signs of any illnesses. So maybe they were not ever with the female that died.
I’m not giving up fish keeping, I done this as a kid, now my kids have grow up, it’s something I’ve wanted to do again for a while.
If all the females eventually do die that’s in that tank, I will clean it up, and start again with that tank. Never will I buy from a internet shop again!
I have tested the water in the female tank, everything is perfect, shame this has happened.
I was going to put my seven Fry in there next Sunday, cos the females seem friendly, I thought they had a good chance to be left alone in there with them, I want be doing that now.
I will have to do something soon, last thing o want is the fry, brothers and sisters to start breeding! I think they get active at four weeks.
The quickest way to kill a fish is squash its head but that is gross and bloody and not something most people can do to their pets. Some people put tropical fish into cold water to cause them to go into shock. Others use clove oil to anesthetise the fish and then whack it on the head. You can use clove oil to sedate them and then put them in a bucket of water and put it in the freezer until frozen.
When I destroyed my fish, I got a bucket of water from my tank, put the fish in it, put a lid on the bucket and put it in the freezer. I then walked away and freaked out. A couple of days later I buried my fish in the garden, and a few months later shut down all the tanks before giving them away.
Before I killed all my fish I had a vet necropsy a number of them and got them tested and received a positive for TB. I tried various medications and spent months talking to different fish health specialists and vets and nothing cured them.
---------------------
If you want to try a medication, isolate the fish and get some medication containing Metronidazole. Do not treat the main tank with Metronidazole because it will wipe out the filter bacteria. If the fish responds to Metronidazole then it is protozoan and you can treat the others if they develop symptoms.
When I destroyed my fish, I got a bucket of water from my tank, put the fish in it, put a lid on the bucket and put it in the freezer. I then walked away and freaked out. A couple of days later I buried my fish in the garden, and a few months later shut down all the tanks before giving them away.
Before I killed all my fish I had a vet necropsy a number of them and got them tested and received a positive for TB. I tried various medications and spent months talking to different fish health specialists and vets and nothing cured them.
---------------------
If you want to try a medication, isolate the fish and get some medication containing Metronidazole. Do not treat the main tank with Metronidazole because it will wipe out the filter bacteria. If the fish responds to Metronidazole then it is protozoan and you can treat the others if they develop symptoms.
Gosh you had to kill all your fish ones, that must of been awful for you. So did you start from scratch again? Of people live with the fact most of us have TB in our tanks and deal with it if a fish shows sings, why did you not do that? Did you have a bad case of it?
I’m not sure I can hit a fish on the head, just something I probably couldn’t do. Internet site I read said “best way is to cut its head off” apparently its instead death and very painless, I’m not so sure about that.
My felmale fish now, in their own tank are all swimming around happily apart from that one, she swimming but not as she should, she had some live brine I just got from MA but she didn’t eat like the others in there.
I’m not sure I can hit a fish on the head, just something I probably couldn’t do. Internet site I read said “best way is to cut its head off” apparently its instead death and very painless, I’m not so sure about that.
My felmale fish now, in their own tank are all swimming around happily apart from that one, she swimming but not as she should, she had some live brine I just got from MA but she didn’t eat like the others in there.
I got a few small tanks later and had anemonefish and shrimp but the tanks got turned off in 2016 by someone who was meant to be looking after my fish when I became homeless. Now I don't have anything.
I use to breed fish to sell and I refused to sell sick or contaminated fish, so I destroyed my entire breeding set up, 600+ fish dead in 1 day by my hand
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