Strange Guppy Behavior?

[targa66]

hi -

I'm sort of a newbie - have a 1.0 x .40 m tank up and running since May with guppies, swordtails, neons and rosy tetras. There's already about 5 guppy fry and one tiny swordtail. There's a number of plants in there and I do frequent water changes and water testing - all seems well.

The guppies do this odd thing where they quickly flip themselves against the gravel at the bottom or against the bogwood like they are trying to scrape something off. I can't see anything on them (parasites, maybe?)... any guesses why? They seem pretty active and healthy otherwise ...

thanks!!
Shelly

 

[orange shark]

parasites, can u post your exact water stats??

 

[kewskills]

please read this pinned topic, it has questions that members always ask so they can help you faster and with more accuracy

ClickMe

 

[EV0LUTION]

you may have ich. check their gills for white spots!

 

[djceri_g]

did you say you have sand? I changed from gravel to sand and my guppies started doing this. Its just their behavoiour i think. they didnt do it when i had gravel

 

[targa66]

Thanks for the responses - I don't see any ich! Just gravel on the bottom, no sand. I've got an internal filter that I clean (with tank water) about once per month.

Here's the suggested info....

I'm using those API test strips and wonder about their accuracy...

Tank size: 1m x 40cm
pH: 6.5
ammonia: don't know!
nitrite: 0.5 ppm (maybe a bit less)
nitrate: 20
kH: 50ppm
gH: 60 ppm
tank temp: 25c

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior): They're all active and eating happily; the tetras all seem to like the darker parts of the tank but come out to feed. Both female guppies have had babies at least once since I got them in May. But all the guppies occasionally rub or flip against the bottom or against a leaf - it's not constant but one will do it for a bit then stop.

Volume and Frequency of water changes: Have been changing out about 15% at least once per week.

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: Only dechlorinator (API brand) and only when I do water changes.

Tank inhabitants: 4 adult guppies; 4 fry (about 1 month old - I've moved the younger fry to a diff. tank); 4 swordtails; three rosy tetras and 4 neon tetras. Oh - and just one wee little swordtail fry.

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): Nothing other than fry!

Exposure to chemicals: None

Digital photo (include if possible): Will have to sort that one out

Many thanks,
Shelly

 

[*Fishkies*]

Test strips are often believed to be in accurate. And liquid test kits are often recommended more. As you can perform more tests and they turn out cheaper in the long run then test strips.

Also it seems like your fish may be sensitive to their water conditions. I know my guppies when I had them were like that sometimes for no reason.
However this flicking is also seen when parasites are the problem too.

 

[djceri_g]

Is this tank Cycled? Seemd to me because you have a Nitrite reading the tank is cycling. Maybey you have cleaned too much on the filter and killed some bacteria? Please get a Ammonia reading asap, it could be dangerously high. In the meantime I would advice to change 20% water every other day if it is cycling

 

[targa66]

Is this tank Cycled? Seemd to me because you have a Nitrite reading the tank is cycling. Maybey you have cleaned too much on the filter and killed some bacteria? Please get a Ammonia reading asap, it could be dangerously high. In the meantime I would advice to change 20% water every other day if it is cycling

I don't think the tank is cycling because the readings stay the same (then again with these crap test strips for all I know it's cycling like mad!). Will get a testing kit ASAP.

If there are parasites would I be able to see them? Also -would the other fish in the tank pick them up? I haven't seen anyone else do the flicking thing, just the guppies.

thanks,
Shelly

 

[*Fishkies*]

Yeah if it was parasites they would transfer to the other fish usually. However I believe the problem may be the water qualities for your fish. Do you know the exact amount of gallons or liters in your tank??

 

[targa66]

Yeah if it was parasites they would transfer to the other fish usually. However I believe the problem may be the water qualities for your fish. Do you know the exact amount of gallons or liters in your tank??

thanks, fishkies!
My tank is 100 x 40 x 38 cm. I used an online calculator which said that means it is 152 litres. (does that sound right??) Haven't seen any "flicking" today, but I did a big water change two days ago so maybe water quality was the issue. Still haven't made it to the store to buy the ammonia testing kit but think I'll be able to get there today.

 

[djceri_g]

glad to hear you havent lost any! What ever it is must have been a water issue. I would defo suggest bying ammonia kit and test everyother day just to be on the safe side. Dont buy them testing strips, the liquid ones are better. Let us know how you get on

 

[backtotropical]

You can use only a nitrite test kit without having an ammonia kit if you know how to interpret the readings. If there is a level of nitrite in the tank, the chances are that there is probably ammonia there too.

 

[djceri_g]

You can use only a nitrite test kit without having an ammonia kit if you know how to interpret the readings. If there is a level of nitrite in the tank, the chances are that there is probably ammonia there too.

Not if the tank is starting to cycle. Ive need trying to cycle my tank for 4 months and after it stalled the first time I havent had a single nitrite reading !!!!!1

 

[targa66]

I got the test kit this past weekend and am happy to report that both ammonia and nitrate are 0 so I can rule out those as the cause ... Everyone still seems healthy and happy, and still no sign of parasites or ich (touch wood) so I guess I'll just keep an eye on it. Still see the occasional guppy doing the flicking/flipping thing against gravel or plants.
thanks for the advice!