My New Guppies Are Dying And Fast!

[LongS]

Hi guys only just registered, so i appologise if this is a question that is asked every single day.

I got given some guppies by a woman from my mums work. Apparently they were breeding like crazy and she didn't have enough room.

We didn't really know much about keeping fish so basically did what we were told by the lady and also went to the pet shop for advice when we bought the tank. We were told to leave the water for a few days to mature or whatever, and to treat the water with some sort of liquid. so the freindly bacteria can grow. OK did that for nearly a week, then just got the fish monday.

But by yesterday (wednesday) two were dead, and this morning we were left with four out of thirteen! And i think another is on its way out.
Obviously i have been looking at advice on websites and have now learned that it isn't a good idea to put thirteen fish into a (i think) a seven litre tank. and especially not to put them in straight away. We didnt really have a choice as the woman did this for us.

So basically from what i have read on the net, is that the tank is too small and the fishes own toxins are what is killing them? Right?

so, is there any way i can save the last four quickly before they die too?

I am quite annoyed that we wern't warned about this type of thing before we got given them, as we were told they are really easy to keep. (something i learned is not actually the case anymore)

So please guys, any help or advice would be greatly appreciated

and sorry again if this is the wrong place or wrong way to post as i havent read through the rest of the sight yet.

Jason



Sorry that actaully a 17 litre tank. My mistake.

 

[smegforbrains]

I'd get the remaining ones back to their original home before they die too.


There is no way your tank will be ready for fish yet.


What filter have you got? It will need to be run in the tank for at least 4 weeks before adding any fish.


You will also need a freshwater test kit. Liquid ones are best, like the API Master kit (eBay £20 delivered).


You will need to check the water quality every couple of days and also change 30-40% of the water every other day.

Until you get Ammonia and NitrITE readings of zero and NitrATE readings of less than 40ppm, please don't add any fish good:


If you are still unsure, please search through the forum for 'tank setup' and 'setting up a tropical tank'. There are plenty of threads with this sort of thing. Don't blame yourself too much, it's a common newbie mistake - we've nearly all done something similar.


Oh, and if you can afford it, get a bigger tank. A 54 litre tank (60cm) would be the smallest I would recommend for Guppies

 

[LongS]

ok Thanks for the advice, There is no way i can get them poor wee things back to the owner as she lives miles away and is night shift tonight so no way i can even get to the tank.

Yeah i did read somewhere that small tanks arent actually ideal for begginers like we were told in the shop they were. The filter? im not sure the type but its one we got with the tank. Like a begginers kit.

I think we will get a bigger tank, or mabye just less fish next time, and leave the water for at least a month and follow the instructions myself rather thn listening to the pet shop again!

so what is the best thing to do now? See how the fish get on and hope? Change the water at all? anything that might work? Would like to get them back, but thats not possible to be honest.

 

[smegforbrains]

Do you have any family, friends or neighbours with mature tanks who could take care of them while you get your tank cycled?

 

[LongS]

The only thing i can honestly think of is my girlfriend has a tank with a fat gold fish in it.

the water doesn't get treated with and thing, its just tap water. At present the gold fish is in a different container waiting for the other water to be cleaned. Its more than a week old i think.

I dont think this would help would it?

I'm certain they are gonna die in my tank, so even trying anything that would give them a slightly better chance would be better than nothing i guess.

Again thanks for your advice

 

[LongS]

Well i havent been able to get them into any one elses tank. I have done a 50% water change using only the dechlorinator thing. Not sure if this is right but what i have read of other peoples problems this is mabye the only fighting chance they have. Will see if they are still alive in the morning.

 

[Schmill]

What you have done is the best you can and is a good start.
By changing the water and adding the dechlor you will have reduced any toxins that might have built up in the water, also by only doing 50% you won't have shocked them, so double points there
If all is well in the morning it's probably worth doing ANOTHER 50% water change (again with dechlor), to keep things in check until you can get your test kit.
Until you get the kit I would then do around a 20% water change morning and night to keep the levels under control until you can test and find out exactly what they are.

 

[LongS]

Well when i woke up there was only two left, later today one died so only have one in there now. He seems ok, not swimming on back yet but his could soon change.

So im guessing a 20% water change would be a good idea until i can get a tester kit tomorow morning?

Oh and if this fish dies too, what is best for me to do next?

A complete change of water and clean everything in the tank? Or water change and leave the tank to help bacteria growth?

Or somthing else?

I am looking to cycle the tank and add fish when it is safe to do so. Just didn't realise it took so long when the fella told me in the shop.

 

[LongS]

Ok guys and girls, another day gone by and i still have 1 guppy.

Seems ok, just sitting behind the filter sometimes and when sees me swimming out and looking lively.

I put a tiny bit of food into the tank, so hope this isn't a mistake.

Going up to the shop soon to get water testing kits and anything else i might need.

What is the essentials that i will need? Do i need plants? Oh and if anyone knows the best type of tester kit for me to buy i would be greatful for your feedback.

Jason

 

[LongS]

Hello guys, ok, when i went to the shop the lad did a free water tet for me then basically told me i didnt need to worry about getting the tester kit. I said to him is it not better to just have it and he pretty much told me it wasn't nessecary.

Thoughts?

So my guppy seems a whole lot stronger now, and i should be getting 2 or 3 more to add in with him. He seems lonely but lively, and i am guessing these kind of fish like to have company?

Should be getting a bigger tank when the end of the month comes round. PAYDAY!

Should i do a fishless cycle with the new tank and then add the fish into it when the water is right?

 

[Jazzzz]

Hello guys, ok, when i went to the shop the lad did a free water tet for me then basically told me i didnt need to worry about getting the tester kit. I said to him is it not better to just have it and he pretty much told me it wasn't nessecary.

Thoughts?

So my guppy seems a whole lot stronger now, and i should be getting 2 or 3 more to add in with him. He seems lonely but lively, and i am guessing these kind of fish like to have company?

Should be getting a bigger tank when the end of the month comes round. PAYDAY!

Should i do a fishless cycle with the new tank and then add the fish into it when the water is right?

yes DO A FISHLESS CYCLE please

A test kit is nessary if you can afford it for if and when a disease strikes.

DO NOT add any more fish absolutly none not even an apple snail.

 

[thecodfather]

just a thought do you have a heater in there aswell?

ceri

 

[saz326]

If you still have only the one fish - Id be tempted to simply take it to a fish shop, and ask if they could take it for you. Cut your losses.

You have had a nasty start to fishkeeping, and you deserve to get some enjoyment out of it so best start from scratch. Think about whether you would like to keep the tank you already have, or whether you could return it to the store, and then put any store credit towards something slightly larger. (might mean saving up for a while - but bigger tanks are easier for a begginner.

Set up your tank, get the water right (test kits are essential for smaller tanks as water quality needs more monitoring than larger tanks) and then research what fish you would like to have in it.

If you are interested in keeping guppies again, then Im sure the lady with the overcrowded tank will be happy to give you some of the next lot of babies that are born.

maybe you could suggest to the lady that she get a species that could (and this sounds nasty) but something that could naturally predate on the excess babies born in her guppy tank. Her tank would then maintain its numbers in a natural way.

 

[LongS]

No heater i am keeping it in the living room at room temp which i am told is fine to do.

Although when i get this new tank i am getting the heater with it, so was going to ask about putting the fish into the heated tank when it is ready?

oh and when i took the water sample to the shop he said that the water is right now, and that i probably just put too many in at once.

The guppy is fine and is looking lively and strong. Just can't believe only one survived, but better than none i guess.

The pet shops can be very misleading, espescially when it says small tanks are great for beginners!

 

[OldMan47]

You can keep a single guppy healthy through a fishy cycle if you really want to. Most of us are iclined to do fishless cycles because they are much easier but a fish-in cycle can be done successfully. There is a link in my signature to a fish-in cycle thread because your predicament is so common. Do not add any fish while you are doing a fish-in cycle as it will just complicate things. The test kit can be purchased on line for about half what it would cost at the LFS. I don't know why so many fish stores don't want you to be able to test your own water but the advice from yours is typical.
Without a heater in your tank, you will be somewhat limited on what fish you can keep in the tank. At room temperature you should be able to keep most of the commonly available livebearers but they will be at the low end of their temperature tolerance. Things like white clouds can be quite comfortable at such temperatures so a heater depends a lot on what kind of fish you will keep. Once you decide what you like, check their requirements and find out if you need the heater. If you do, many of us find the on-line stores are a good source for things like hardware because they don't have expenses like fancy stores to add to the price of the equipment.