How to recognize a guppy disease and cure it

Guppies are among the most common fish kept in home aquariums because of their vivid colors and energetic personalities. They may, however, occasionally become sick, just like any other pets. Although it can be difficult to tell when a guppy is sick, doing so is crucial to the health of your tank and the happiness of your fish.

Diseases that affect guppy populations can show up in a variety of ways, such as behavioral or physical changes. Unusual lesions or spots, altered swimming habits, and appetite loss are typical symptoms. The early detection of these changes can have a significant impact on the efficacy of the illness treatment.

Understanding the particular symptoms your fish are exhibiting is helpful when treating guppy diseases. While certain problems may be resolved with dietary or water quality adjustments, others may require more specialized care, such as medication. Knowing these factors will enable you to give your guppy the proper care and help it return to being an active, healthy pet.

This post will explain the typical signs of guppy diseases, how to identify them, and what you can do to both treat and avoid these issues. You can maintain both your aquarium and your guppies’ health with a little care and the appropriate strategy.

Rashes and plaque are a reason to sound the alarm

White plaque typically denotes abnormal bodily function. Furthermore, this formation should not be mistaken for the guppy’s body clouding, which is an indication of low-quality water but is not necessarily a sign of illness.

Alkalosis

The fish rush around the aquarium, their scales darken, and their bodies become visible mucus during alkalosis. occurs in guppies acclimated to highly acidic water. By raising the pH to the necessary level, you can eliminate this issue. pH buffers are available in specialty stores; these can be used to alter the indicators. When there is gastrointestinal tract inflammation, the body may appear dull in color. The fish stops eating and excretes a lot of mucus that has turned red. After 5–19 days without food, guppies are given a variety of foods.

Saprolegniosis

The illness known as saprolegniosis can arise from extended exposure to cool water, inadequate diet, wounds, stress, and elevated acidity. The guppy will initially exhibit symptoms of the disease in the form of white "hyphae" and a moss-like covering. As they get bigger, they entwine with one another to form a lump that resembles cotton wool. It permeates every part of the body. The internal organs eventually get infected. Bicillin-5 is the medication used to carry out the treatment in a separator. Refer to the medication’s instructions for the appropriate dosage of bicillin.

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Gyrodactylosis

A disease when the guppy develops a white-blue coating. The fish exhibits weakness, its fins are pressed, it scratches against the decorations, and its eyes appear cloudy or black. On the water’s surface, the fish floats. After some time, the fin rays are destroyed, and the body develops abscesses. A weakened pet may pass away from starvation or lack of oxygen. The illness can be treated with copper sulfate, which is added to the aquarium (20 mg per 12 liters of water).

Trichodinosis

Helminth infection. Trichodinid parasites are found in the body of a guppy afflicted with trichodinosis. They can be caused by inadequate feeding, incorrect water acid balance, or inadequate aeration. The fish’s external signs of infection are not visible in the early stages. It never goes anywhere near the filter bubbles; it just brushes up against the decorations.

Later, the fish’s body develops gray spots and mucus. The animal loses appetite, has visible mucus on its gills, and breathes more frequently. The fish are moved into an aquarium used for quarantine, where the temperature is progressively raised to 29 °C. A dosage of 25 grams of salt per 12 liters of water is used for treatment. Malachite oxalate-containing medications can treat guppies greenery. You must replace the acidity indicator in the tank. Dietary adjustments are also required.

The infected guppies are moved into a different aquarium as the first step in treatment once the disease’s outward signs are observed. In pets, the illness is curable in its early stages.

Diseases of the tails and fins

Guppies are beloved by many due to their amazing bright tail and fins. Furthermore, these body parts are frequently prone to different diseases and are most vulnerable to the conditions in the aquarium. The illness may manifest as even slight abnormalities in the fins:

Compression of the fins

Appears as a result of the body’s deficiency in necessary microelements. The fins become flat when sick. Live food should be added to Sick Guppies’ menu to make it more varied. Every day, 15 g of salt are added for every 15 l. Water needs to be replaced daily to the extent of 35–45% of its total volume.

Red scab

Red scab, which is brought on by tetrahymena, is evident if the body is extremely red, the tail has red spots, the stripes are split, and the fins are red. Treatment for red scab should start with moving the guppy to a different tank as soon as symptoms appear. Using a sterile knife, cut away the affected areas. After that, submerge the fish in a mild saline solution.

Fin rot

Appears as a result of infection and poor maintenance. On the fins, dark patches develop into ulcers when pus is released. A guppy with fin rot will die if it is not treated. Antibiotics are administered to the affected fish. When fish are kept in salt baths for 12–17 minutes, great results are observed.

Dividing the fins

The guppy is deficient in vitamin D if its tail turns black and its fins start to split. Fill the aquarium with one liter of water and one drop of iodine. Occasionally, when fighting against other fish species, the fins split. Neighbors who made poor decisions should be kept apart.

Strange behavior, what causes it

Guppies’ unusual behavior is nearly always the result of different illnesses. The fish should be taken seriously if it swims on its side, as this is a sign of the serious illness glugeosis. Additional indications include unilateral exophthalmos, or swelling of the eye. The disease is caused by rapidly proliferating parasites that damage the gills, liver, stomach, and eyes. Guppies with gluteosis die because the disease is incurable. In the event that the diagnosis is verified, the aquarium’s entire contents are disposed of, and the tank is cleaned.

New fish must be kept in quarantine in order to prevent infection of any other fish. Only after it has been determined that the pet is healthy is it moved into a shared container.

There are numerous reasons why a guppy may swim upside down, but the following are the most frequent ones:

1. Helminthic invasions.
2. Viral or infectious diseases.
3. General weakness.
4. Oncological or fungal diseases.
5. Severe gas formation in the intestines.
6. Diseases of the swim bladder.
7. Poor nutrition.

The inflammatory process in the bladder is generally thought to be the cause; pathogenic microorganisms cause this infectious disease. Food or water of low quality can cause infection.

The prognosis is favorable if the disease is treated in its early stages. The fish should not eat during treatment; this will reduce inflammation.

Additionally, the fish’s lifespan has an impact on its behavior. Although it is challenging to estimate the guppy’s age, you can tell the difference if you are attentive. Fish with young have simple body shapes. As they get older, adult pets’ bellies become more convex and their backs slightly slant. Puppies that are six months old or younger have a fiery disposition and a developing tail despite their coloring. After a year, the color reaches its peak, and adult fish are calmer.

The guppy is curved

Numerous diseases in guppies are brought on by improper care. It can be challenging to identify a pathology’s exact cause in some situations.

The vertebrae are curved for a number of reasons:

1. The spine is curved to the side. Curvature begins due to dense population of the aquarium or very hard water. In fry, the spine is sometimes curved due to birth injuries.
2. The spine is bent downwards. This happens due to overeating, which increases the pressure on the back. The amount of food for a sick guppy is reduced. If the fish swims in a common tank, you need to make sure that it does not take food from other inhabitants.

You must regulate the diet and add live food in order to keep the guppy’s spine from curving. Furthermore, don’t overfeed the fish. A large amount of algae is planted in the aquarium to aid in the physical development of the fry.

Breeding problems

Although guppies procreate readily in aquariums, owners occasionally report issues with fish breeding. The primary causes are:

1. Hermatophrodisia – it is difficult to detect the disease during a visual examination, since female guppies have both female and male genital organs. The causes and methods of treatment have not yet been clarified.
2. Infertility is a disease when females are unable to give birth. The color of guppies loses its saturation, the fish become faded. The causes of the disease are very powerful, bright or prolonged lighting. This disease is not curable.

Problems with the development of young fish

Sluggish behavior and appetite loss are the first signs of poor health in guppy fry. The fry swim close to the aquarium’s surface or are always at the bottom of the breeding tank. Poor water quality, sporadic cleaning, and substantial tank settlement all cause issues.

When fry with malformed bodies or underdeveloped fish with yolk sacs are born, it indicates that the female in the aquarium has not been properly cared for.

An essential first step is the prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment of the illness. The breeding tank needs to be cleaned and sick guppy fry should be moved. By doing this, the remaining brood will avoid extinction.

Other diseases

Because their owners sometimes disregard the maintenance guidelines, aquarium inhabitants are frequently infected with a variety of diseases and parasites. Guppies’ diet has an impact on their overall health.

Frequent illnesses in guppy populations:

Spironculosis

Spironculosis and nexamitosis are caused by flagellate parasites that grow into cysts in the stomach and gallbladder. The contaminated fish hides from other fish and loses weight. The gills turn red, the guppy loses its tail, and its excrement starts to look like mucus. The body develops wounds and abscesses at a later stage. The aquarium’s water temperature is raised to 32 °C during the early stages of the illness. Medication is used if no improvements are observed.

Dropesis

A virus or an alteration in the properties of the water can cause dropsy. Overindulgence in food, inappropriate menu items, and inconsistent tank cleaning can also make fish ill. The guppy’s eyes bulge, its belly swells, and its scales fall off during dropsy. Pets become sedentary and frequently sink to the bottom of the tank. Fish that are infected are treated with antibiotics. Water must be changed on a regular basis, and different products should be used to dilute the food.

Columnariosis

Appears as a result of the parasite Flexibacter. He shows up because of the aquarium’s dense population and sporadic cleaning. Guppi’s disease causes a decrease in activity. Mucous patches cover the body and get bigger. Ulcers can occasionally develop. Antibacterial medications are used to treat pets.

Sunny

The bacterium Ichthyophthirvus is the cause of ichthyoftiriosis. This illness poses a threat to every fish housed in the aquarium. It manifests as a small rash that looks like a decoy crust and persistent itching. Infected guppies scratch the aquarium’s décor. Ulcers develop on the body over time. Saline is a cure for ichthyoftiriosis. Drug drugs are used to produce biomitsin.

Plistorosis

It is possible for guppies to have plistophorosis. Hereditary is a rare disease. The precise reasons behind its occurrence remain unknown at this time. Guppies that have plistophorosis swim vertically. The fish becomes less active, loses color, and becomes less hungry. The illness has no cure. In the event that this disease shows symptoms, the guppies have to be taken out of the main aquarium right away, and the algae and soil need to be cleaned.

Prevention

In cases where multiple fish or large schools reside in the aquarium, it is advisable to separate sick fish from healthy ones through transplantation to prevent cross-contamination. While there are preventive measures, there are no universally applicable methods for curing diseases. Anyone who chooses to keep fish in an aquarium ought to be familiar with them.

Procedures for treating guppies that are infected:

1. For a sick pet, you need to choose a separate aquarium where it is convenient to treat it with medications.
2. For the breeding tank, you can use a bottle or other glass container with a volume of two liters. Fill the container with water, which should be taken from the common reservoir and mixed with fresh water.
3. The water should be renewed daily. Moreover, the aeration device can be omitted.
4. Treat the affected individual in a saline solution. 5 grams of salt are required for 5 liters of water. 5 drops of iodine can be added. When renewing the water in the separator, the concentration of the required substances should be gradually restored.
5. A sick guppy should be given live food. This will allow the fish to recover faster.
6. Since there is little water in the separator, food leftovers should be removed immediately to avoid contamination.

These steps will aid in the treatment of numerous illnesses and stop the disease from spreading within the shared reservoir. Guppies should be treated with veterinary store-purchased medications for complex ailments.

Because of their lovely appearance and low maintenance requirements, guppies are highly favored by many aquarists. It is important to keep in mind that colorful fish can get sick if you plan to add them to your aquarium.

Make sure the new species you add to the tank are healthy before doing so. When buying fish, you should inspect them closely; your new neighbors shouldn’t be lifeless, worn out, or depressed. You should not purchase a guppy if it swims on its side or is on the bottom.

However, a guppy’s outward appearance does not always imply that it is in perfect health. Certain diseases don’t show symptoms until a specific amount of time have passed. Fish should only be purchased from reputable retailers where they are kept in normal conditions to protect yourself from unfavorable outcomes.

Symptoms	Possible Disease	Treatment
Faded colors, clamped fins	Stress or poor water quality	Improve water conditions, perform regular water changes
White spots on the body and fins	Ick (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)	Increase water temperature, use anti-ich medication
Cotton-like growths on skin or fins	Fungal infection	Use antifungal medication, improve water quality
Red or inflamed areas on skin	Bacterial infection	Use antibacterial medication, ensure clean water
Gasping at the surface, rapid gill movement	Low oxygen levels	Increase aeration, check water quality

Although diagnosing and treating guppy diseases can be difficult, being aware of the symptoms and taking prompt action can significantly improve the health of your fish. It’s important to regularly observe your guppies’ appearance and behavior. Keep an eye out for any changes that might indicate a problem, such as strange swimming patterns, discoloration, or spots on their body.

As soon as you notice possible symptoms, you should act quickly. To identify the illness, start by looking into the particular symptoms you’ve seen. Over-the-counter medications can be used to treat a variety of common illnesses in guppies; however, it is important to carefully follow the dosage instructions and confirm that the treatment is appropriate for guppies.

It is possible to stop diseases before they start by keeping the tank clean and creating a stable atmosphere. Good aquarium maintenance includes avoiding overfeeding, doing regular water changes, and using appropriate filtration. Recall that the best defense against fish diseases is a healthy environment.

In conclusion, you can maintain the health and happiness of your guppies by keeping a close eye on them and taking prompt action when you notice problems. Many common guppy diseases can be managed and prevented with a little attention to detail and good care. Cheers to many years of fishkeeping!

Although diagnosing and treating guppy diseases can be difficult, if you have a basic understanding of the subject, you can maintain your fish’s health and well-being. This article will help you recognize common symptoms of illness in guppies, such as dietary, behavioral, or appearance changes, and will offer helpful advice on how to treat these conditions. Your guppies will have a better environment if you know what to look for and how to react. You can also stop minor issues from turning into serious health emergencies.

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