Sign of an an unhappy fish?

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Danny Boy

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Tamworth, UK
Hello all,

My new fish seem to be settling in well, all except one that is.

My smallest guppy is hovering on one spot in the tank, and not eating. The others are swimming around quite happily, put his guy just looks worried.

I've done tests this morning, and while my ammonia is too high at 0.5ppm (I'm about to do a water change...) the water quality is fine. The tank was fully cycled before they were put in.

As an aside, I have 1 otto in the tank...and bought some fast sinking tablets to feed him on. He doesn't really seem interested in them...rather just hoovers around for the algae in the tank. Will this be enough nourishment for him?

:huh:
 
The algae should be enough food for your otto, how big is he and how big is your tank? Ottos will often scavenge for food and may find left overs of any flake food that might be lying around too. If he gets hungry he'll look around. Be careful with leaving any uneaten food lying around though if he is not eating the the fast sinking tablets.
As for the guppy...a few questions really....did you acclimatise him appropriately and take time over doing it? Have you used anything like aquaplus to help to destress the fish during acclimitisation? How long has he been in there? Are there any other signs of ill-health? Was he happily swimming around in the tank in the shop you brought him from and his temperament has only changed since you put him in your tank?
As a small thing I would always recommend doing a water change before adding new fish as it can help with the minimisation of stress.

Danny Boy said:
Hello all,

My new fish seem to be settling in well, all except one that is.

My smallest guppy is hovering on one spot in the tank, and not eating. The others are swimming around quite happily, put his guy just looks worried.

I've done tests this morning, and while my ammonia is too high at 0.5ppm (I'm about to do a water change...) the water quality is fine. The tank was fully cycled before they were put in.

As an aside, I have 1 otto in the tank...and bought some fast sinking tablets to feed him on. He doesn't really seem interested in them...rather just hoovers around for the algae in the tank. Will this be enough nourishment for him?

:huh:
[snapback]864416[/snapback]​
 
Hi Sarah...

I think I'll fish out the rest of the half tablet I put in...he really desn't seem interested.

He's about 2 inches long at the most, in a 10 gallon with just the 4 guppies.

To answer your questions...

I followed the instructions from one of my books for adding new fish...floated the bag for 30 minutes with the lights off, before releasing them gently.

My tank's temperature matches that of the tank they were taken from in the shop, and all seemed healthy there.

My dechlorintor contains 'stress coat', other than that I haven't added anything to the water other than ammonia for the fishless cycle.

As for the water change...I did that.

:D
 
Ok....
did you add any of the tank water to the bag with the fish in after you floated it and before you let them go?

Acclimatising Fish
1) Float the bag in the tank for 20-30 minutes (I actually clip it to the side of the tank so that it doesn't float around but stays in one place)
2) Open the bag with the fish in and pour some of the tank water into the bag. (this help the water to be as similar as possible) Leave for another 15 minutes.
3) Repeat Step 2 and fill the bag as much as possible with tank water. (When filling the bag with tank water it is much easier if they are pinned/clipped to the side of the tank otherwise the bag will sink, just ensure that there is air in the top of the bag too or the bag is fully open) Leave for another 15 minutes.
4) Carefully pour the fish with their water into the tank from their bag.

This is the procedure that I follow (I have adapted it from different books and other info)
Is there any other sign of ill-health?
 

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