I need to decide what to do about a poorly guppy.. I don’t have a cycled quarantine tank.
Photo attached- for about 24hrs he has been lying on the bottom very lethargic and quite rapid breathing. Conditions are good - this guppy was one of six in a previous tank for a few months and has moved with them to this 240l tank early September where it did a mini cycle that I mitigated with Prime and water changes. I change at least 30% twice a week and clean the substrate at the same time. PH 7 ammonia and nitrite 0, nitrate ranges between 5 and 15, I don’t know a figure for water hardness but the website says moderately hard. The tank is well oxygenated with the juwel M bio filter and an air stone.
There are no noticeable markings or shape changes. Possibly he's looking a bit duller in colour than normal. No issues with aggression from other fish that I've picked up on. The other guppies seem fine. Yesterday when the poorly guppy was doing this he did swim for a feed but returned to the bottom, today not at all, he only really moves if nudged by another fish etc.
I need to decide whether to treat the tank or euthanise because I’m away for a few days from tomorrow leaving my husband in charge and he's working long hours so can't be relied upon for much
- I’m worried a disease could spread but also feel terrible euthanising if he has a chance (it seems unlikely 
) Obviously a quarantine tank would best but I don't have one and so if I set one up it wouldn't be cycled anyway. I've bought some clove oil just in case though it's not a case of taking the decision lightly, I just hate the thought of leaving him to suffer all weekend and also risk the others getting ill.
Thank you for reading.
I've added a video. As you can see it is uninterested / unable to eat the food that I just put in. Also added photos showing the same guppies that are much brighter but always used to look the same.
Photo attached- for about 24hrs he has been lying on the bottom very lethargic and quite rapid breathing. Conditions are good - this guppy was one of six in a previous tank for a few months and has moved with them to this 240l tank early September where it did a mini cycle that I mitigated with Prime and water changes. I change at least 30% twice a week and clean the substrate at the same time. PH 7 ammonia and nitrite 0, nitrate ranges between 5 and 15, I don’t know a figure for water hardness but the website says moderately hard. The tank is well oxygenated with the juwel M bio filter and an air stone.
There are no noticeable markings or shape changes. Possibly he's looking a bit duller in colour than normal. No issues with aggression from other fish that I've picked up on. The other guppies seem fine. Yesterday when the poorly guppy was doing this he did swim for a feed but returned to the bottom, today not at all, he only really moves if nudged by another fish etc.
I need to decide whether to treat the tank or euthanise because I’m away for a few days from tomorrow leaving my husband in charge and he's working long hours so can't be relied upon for much
- I’m worried a disease could spread but also feel terrible euthanising if he has a chance (it seems unlikely ) Obviously a quarantine tank would best but I don't have one and so if I set one up it wouldn't be cycled anyway. I've bought some clove oil just in case though it's not a case of taking the decision lightly, I just hate the thought of leaving him to suffer all weekend and also risk the others getting ill.Thank you for reading.
I've added a video. As you can see it is uninterested / unable to eat the food that I just put in. Also added photos showing the same guppies that are much brighter but always used to look the same.
Attachments
Last edited:
