We are very new to keeping fish, indeed out tank , after all the fill, treat and wait, only had fish entered 3 weeks ago , which were 3 make guppy. Since we have added 6 neon. Today have noticed one of my guyot has spent a lot of time at top of tank in a corner. It's back spine has become very curved (downward) . Can any one tell me if it is likely to be deseased or just poorly or on its way out?do I need to take it out, or can I keep it in same tank but in a bag (like when you adjust new fish?) so as to keep it at right temp? I am a bit lost?
Unhappy Guppy
- Thread starter Roo72
- Start date
Blitz
Fishaholic
Guppies and other liveberers, as they age, sometimes take on these unusual characteristics. There could be nothing "wrong" or it could be a whole host of problems working in concert. Hard to say. It will most likely have a rather short life and unlikely to return to it's former state of health and physical attractiveness. Looking closely at you water parameters and ensuring that all is in line is what I would do first. In many instances I have simply euthanized fish that deteriorated to such a point. It's part of the deal, unfortunately.
A few ways to euthanize them without having them suffer is to use clove oil. OR another way
Not a very pretty sight) Take a pair of sicsors, and cut the head off with one snip. OK, sounds harsh, but it's a lot quicker than putting it in the freezer. Putting them in the freezer is way harsh. Anway, I suggest you euthanize the fish. Whatever you do, don't let it suffer. 
A few ways to euthanize them without having them suffer is to use clove oil. OR another way
Not a very pretty sight) Take a pair of sicsors, and cut the head off with one snip. OK, sounds harsh, but it's a lot quicker than putting it in the freezer. Putting them in the freezer is way harsh. Anway, I suggest you euthanize the fish. Whatever you do, don't let it suffer. 
Roo; was your tank cycled before you added the fish?
While Blitz is right that guppies do tend to bend when they get old, I'd be more worried that you have a problem with the quality of your water; poor water is the cause of nearly all fish 'diseases'.
If you can test your water for ammonia and nitrite, that would be useful; in the meantime do a very large water change, leaving just enough water for the fish to swim upright (don't forget to switch your heater and filter off first!) before refilling with warmed, dechlorinated water.
While Blitz is right that guppies do tend to bend when they get old, I'd be more worried that you have a problem with the quality of your water; poor water is the cause of nearly all fish 'diseases'.
If you can test your water for ammonia and nitrite, that would be useful; in the meantime do a very large water change, leaving just enough water for the fish to swim upright (don't forget to switch your heater and filter off first!) before refilling with warmed, dechlorinated water.
Billsfan905
Fish Fanatic
I've had a curved spine guppy! When I was looking in the tank he was from, a lot of the older fish had curved spines. I asked the man working there why they were like that and he said "probably interbreeding". Anyways, clueless me bought a tiny baby from that tank thinking it wouldn't have a curved spine.
I researched it and the two main options are either fish have interbred so much and passed on genes that have given them curved spines, or fish tuberculosis which is apparently pretty rare! Did you notice any other fish with curved spines in the tank when you bought them?
Mine is living fine right now, he swims fine, eats fine, and everything. I was worried about him breeding with my females though if it is genetics, so I moved him into a tank with no female guppies.
Here's a pic of him, it's not as bad as the other adult fish from the tank:
I researched it and the two main options are either fish have interbred so much and passed on genes that have given them curved spines, or fish tuberculosis which is apparently pretty rare! Did you notice any other fish with curved spines in the tank when you bought them?
Mine is living fine right now, he swims fine, eats fine, and everything. I was worried about him breeding with my females though if it is genetics, so I moved him into a tank with no female guppies.
Here's a pic of him, it's not as bad as the other adult fish from the tank:
Hi, all thank you for your help. My tank was set up as advised by the nice people at maidenhead aquatics, so was filled , treated and waited for a week or so before adding fish. I have had the water tested twice since then the last time being last Saturday, and was told all is fine.
My other two guppies seem to be fine, chasing each other as they have done since being added. With your three replys I am still uncertain if he is just old and inbred! Or poorly. I just don't want my other fish to get sick too?!
My other two guppies seem to be fine, chasing each other as they have done since being added. With your three replys I am still uncertain if he is just old and inbred! Or poorly. I just don't want my other fish to get sick too?!
Hi, all thank you for your help. My tank was set up as advised by the nice people at maidenhead aquatics, so was filled , treated and waited for a week or so before adding fish. I have had the water tested twice since then the last time being last Saturday, and was told all is fine.
My other two guppies seem to be fine, chasing each other as they have done since being added. With your three replys I am still uncertain if he is just old and inbred! Or poorly. I just don't want my other fish to get sick too?!
Have done an emergency water change as advised. Nugget my guppy has def seen better days.! R.I.P nugget. Thanks for all advice x
My other two guppies seem to be fine, chasing each other as they have done since being added. With your three replys I am still uncertain if he is just old and inbred! Or poorly. I just don't want my other fish to get sick too?!
Have done an emergency water change as advised. Nugget my guppy has def seen better days.! R.I.P nugget. Thanks for all advice x
Please take a look at your water chemistry. A guppy should, in theory, never change as long as it has good water chemistry and is well fed. If your fish has degraded and you have no reason to look further at the fish chemistry, you may have overlooked something. Run a fresh set of ammonia and nitrite tests. If both show results at less than 0.25 ppm you may well be OK, but I have never seen such a circumstance in my own tanks. More often I have seen circumstances that I could not measure that a great water change fixed.
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