sick female guppy?

[Missy]

As one of my females gets fatter and fatter ready any day now for more babies, my other female guppy seems to be shrinking. At first I thought it was my imagination since the other was so large but now she is nearly concave in the belly. Her gills hang down further that her belly does and I'm sure this can't be normal. She's even skinnier than the males. Any suggestions if there is anything I can do for her? I think she's eating but just barely. Could it be old age? I have no idea how old she was when I got her. She was a Petsmart buy and was already fully grown.

 

[Sea_Monster87]

I got ALL my breeding guppies @ petsmart and they are anywhere from 7 to 8 months old when they get there, and the average life span for guppies is 1 to 2 years

 

[guppymonkey]

If a guppy female isn't fat than something is wrong with her. It sounds like she is sick. The only time female guppies are skinny is right after giving birth. I can't tell you whats wrong with her though. Sorry.

 

[Missy]

Thanks anyway. I'm sure she is sick but definitely no signs of fungus, ick, etc. I think I'm just going to have to wait it out. She's still hanging in there.

 

[guppymonkey]

Just had another thought to add. It could be TB, tuberculosus (sorry can't spell it). It can effect fish (and people!) and has a wasting effect like you described. If it is TB than it can infect the other fish and you. Be careful handling the fish and clean all nets used with it. Hopefully its nothing that serious.

 

[Missy]

Oh man. Thats a terrible thought. I certainly hope that it isn't that but I will clean everything like you said. Thanks again

 

[Phase2]

Never heard that fish could give you TB...I'm gonna be extra careful now.....especially sucking up the water to syphon the graval.....yuck...as for the guppy maybe you could give her a rest in a seperate tank with the light off as she might be being bothered by the males.....you know how randy they are. other to that I dont know of anything that couyld have caused it....but I'd move it from my hewalth fish for sure.

 

[Phase2]

I found this...
hope its not this but its of interest anyway
Fish tuberculosis (TB) is something very similar to that which can infect humans. In Fact, there are several different types of TB causing bacteria in the same genus, including that which is known to cause TB in man.

The bacteria which causes fish TB is known as Mycobacteria marinum. Luckily, fish TB is not very contagious, and as a result, if symptoms are noticed early, it will not have an effect on the other life in the aquarium. Symptoms include the following:


loss of appetite
fish remains in seclusion and out of site
rapid breathing (respiration)
eyes appear to be cloudy or "popping out"
fish lies on its side near bottom of aquarium
stomach of fish appears to be sunken
whittish blotches on exterior
degraded and frayed fins
The fish can last for weeks with these symptoms, often allowing for detection and treatment before permanent effects are caused. Although this disease is not very contagious, it is a good idea to remove the fush from the main aquarium into a treatment tank. This disease slowly degrades the health of the fish by depositing small "tubercules" on many of the major internal organs of the fish.

Treatment of fish TB is rather difficult since it effects the internal portions of the fish. The best way to treat it is to prevent it by keeping a balanced diet for you fish, and making sure that the quality of the environment in your aquarium is good. If you are unlucky enough to have to treat TB, the infected fish should be placed in a separate treatment tank. 40 grams per gallon of streptomycin and isoniazid, each, should be added to the treatment tank. Treatment can be increased by adding streptomycin to food. There are several other diseases which can be mistaken for fish TB. The best plan is to be overly careful. Monitor the fish closely, and check for the symptoms listed above. While treatment of this disease is possible, the best plan is to keep the quality of the fish's environment as clean as possible. This will reduce the chance of fish infection with TB, as well as decrease the chance that other bacterial and fungal sicknesses will overcome your fish.

 

[Alien Anna]

Oh man. Thats a terrible thought. I certainly hope that it isn't that but I will clean everything like you said. Thanks again

Fish TB isn't like the human disease. It generally affects fish who are already run down. Humans very, very rarely contract it and if they do, its a minor skin infection.

 

[guppymonkey]

Fish TB isn't like the human disease. It generally affects fish who are already run down. Humans very, very rarely contract it and if they do, its a minor skin infection.

Even though it is only a minor skin infection it would still not be good. Its better to avoid the whole scenario by being extra careful. Skin infections can be a pain in the... a.....um.... neck.

 

[Missy]

Dear guppymonkey and Alien Anna.

I think I now have a real problem with this tank. I just posted in emergencies FYI if you want to check it out. I looked up the symptoms of TB and the skinny female has only three... loss of appetite, severe weight loss and arched backbone. no tumors, open wounds, inflammed skin, clamped fins, etc. But I have now lost two guppies in a week. One fry... appeared ok and one male this morning. Really gross looking. I can't figure out whats going on. My water is testing great and I vacuumed the gravel this morning too and there really wasn't much waste in there at all. I'm very concerned and any help is really appreciated. This is my first batch of guppy fry and they are now several months old and it would be a terrible loss if they died.

 

[snotirl]

I think the right think to do is put ther out of her missery! Its cruel but it has to be done!

 

[Juggernaut22988]

TB can be transfered from fish to humans?

I am scared!

 

[snotirl]

IT cant can it? No it cant that couldnt happen