The most common diseases of guppy fish

One of the most well-liked and colorful fish in aquarium hobby, guppies are prized for their vibrant patterns and energetic behavior. They can, however, become sick just like any other living thing. Maintaining the health and well-being of guppies requires knowledge of the common diseases that affect them.

With the right care, many guppy diseases can be avoided, but problems can occasionally arise even for seasoned aquarium keepers. Ensuring the longevity and happiness of your guppies can be greatly enhanced by being aware of the symptoms to look out for and how to handle them.

The most prevalent illnesses that guppies encounter are covered in this article, which will assist you in identifying and treating these problems before they worsen. Regardless of your level of experience, this guide will help you maintain the healthiest conditions for your guppies.

Common diseases and their treatment

Due to their strong immunity, guppies can survive in unsuitable environmental conditions. Fish can become ill, though, if there are abrupt changes in the water’s parameters or if pathogens or parasites enter the aquarium. Pet owners must be aware of the symptoms and treatments of guppy illnesses in order to prevent pet deaths. They must also take prompt action to eradicate illnesses.

Fin rot

Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, and Vibrio bacteria are the ones that cause the illness. These bacteria enter the aquarium through contaminated food or sick fish. Fish kept in contaminated water are susceptible to developing the disease.

The appearance of a pale blue border at the edges of the fins and a breach in their integrity are signs of guppi fluid rot. The fins appear to be wrapped in purulent white ulcers. The fish’s body is harmed and eventually dies in the absence of treatment.

Treatment options for fluid rot include the following:

1. Salt baths. A solution is prepared in a separate container (3 hours.l. salt in 5 liters of water) and immerse patients with fish for 10-15 minutes. Aquarium decorations are treated with the same solution.
2. Hydrogen peroxide solution. Take 25 ml of the product per 100 liters of water. Add the solution to the aquarium every day for 10-14 days.
3. Biseptol-480 solution. 1/8 of a tablet is dissolved in 5 liters of water in a separator with aeration and sick fish are placed there until complete recovery. The solution is changed every day.
4. Biomycin solution. Add 1.5 g of the product per 100 l of water to the aquarium weekly for 3 weeks.
5. Streptocide solution. Dissolve 1.5 g of the product in 10 l of water in a separator with a water temperature of 28°C. Place sick fish in the solution for 30 minutes, then return them to the general aquarium.
6. Levomycetin solution. Stir one tablet in 20 l of water and replace 30% of the aquarium volume with the prepared solution every 3 days.

Ichthyophthirius (semolina)

Ichthyophthirius ciliates, which enter aquariums through food, water, or soil and adhere to fish scales, are the cause of semolina. Sick fish have ruffled scales and tiny white semolina-shaped tubercles covering them; their fins are pressed and adhered to their bodies. The fish eat poorly, behave erratically, and scratch at plants and decorations.

In the event that white-spotted guppies are discovered in the aquarium, prompt treatment is required. The illness spreads swiftly and has the potential to kill fish. Treatment options for ichthyophthirius include:

1. Table salt. 1 st.l. They are introduced by 10 liters of water daily for 14 days, gradually increasing the temperature to 32 ° C.
2. Hydrogen peroxide. 3% hydrogen peroxide solution is added to the aquarium at a dose of 1 ml per 10 l.
3. Ready-made preparations against ichthyophthirius. Produced by Sera, Tetra, JBL, etc. Before using them, it is necessary to study the instructions.

Scoliosis

Congenital conditions like scoliosis are brought on by inbreeding and genetic abnormalities that arise during intrauterine development. Fish that are sick have curved spines, slow growth rates, and sometimes have trouble moving.

Scoliosis in adult fish is brought on by overindulging and a diet deficient in vitamins and minerals. In this situation, it’s important to cut back on portions, vary the diet, and include live foods.

Fry spine curvature is frequently caused by overcrowding and small aquariums. The fish in this situation need to be placed in larger tanks.

Dropery (ascites)

Causes of dropsy include:

• overfeeding;
• feeding a large amount of dry food;
• feeding poor-quality food;
• keeping fish in dirty water.

The fluid buildup in the abdomen of sick fish causes it to swell. There is exophthalmos and ruffling of the scales. Guppies spend most of their time near the bottom and attempt to hide.

Sodium is added (1 t.l. 10 l) and frequent water substitutions are carried out for the purpose of treatment. Give fish no food for a few days. Dietary changes are made. Aeration is being reinforced by the aquarium.

Plistorosis

The sporozoan Pleistophora hyphissobrykonis, which can enter an aquarium through food, soil, plants, or diseased fish, is the source of the disease plistophorosis. In guppies, plistophorosis is characterized by the development of body ulcers and muscle damage. Fish that are sick swim vertically, lose weight, become lethargic, and lose their appetite. There is no cure for the illness. The aquarium is restarted, sick fish are disposed of, and the decorations and soil are sterilized by boiling.

Tuberculosis

The mycobacterium Mycobacterium piscum, which affects fish internal organs, is the cause of tuberculosis. Guppies that are sick have black eyes and lose color. One of the most obvious external indicators of tuberculosis is black eyes. Fish lose weight, become lethargic, stop eating, hide at the bottom, and in certain cases, curve their spines.

It is thought that tuberculosis is an incurable illness, particularly in cases where the fish has dark eyes. On the other hand, the illness may occasionally be treated in its early stages. Fish that are sick are put in a different container. For ten to fourteen days, kanamycin (30–50 mg per 1 l) is added to the water every day. Every day, the water is replaced. Isoniazid therapy is an additional option (1 tablet per 60 l). The three-day course of treatment consists of two to three repetitions spaced two days apart. Clean the decorations, the soil, and the aquarium after removing the sick fish, then proceed.

Red scab

Fish fin ciliates, belonging to the Tetrahymena genus, are the cause of the disease. A red coating is visible on the edges of the fins of sick fish, and their tails are disheveled.

The afflicted fin sections are sliced off with a knife when red scab symptoms are identified. Make a saline solution (1 g table salt to 1 liter water) and place sick fish in it in a different container. Levomycetin therapy (1 tablet per 30 l) or furazolidone therapy (0.5 tablets per 10 l) are used in conjunction with treatment. The therapy lasts for five days.

Trichodiniasis

Trichodina ciliates are the cause of the illness. Infection is caused by poor aeration, insufficient feeding, and water parameter violations. Sick fish have a gray mucus coating all over their body and fins. Puppies scratch themselves on decorations, eat poorly, and lose weight. Fish that have advanced cases die because of damage to their gills.

The water is treated by adding one tablespoon of table salt per ten liters, raising the temperature to 34 °C, and increasing the aeration at the same time. For every 10 l of volume, add 5 ml of either malachite green or methylene blue. The water parameters are normalized and the diet is modified.

Columnariosis

Flexibacter columnaris is the bacterium that causes the illness. Maintaining fish in contaminated water can lead to infection. Sick guppies lose weight, swim erratically, become lethargic, and lie on the bottom. Their body is coated in a gray mucous coating that resembles threads, and their fins are stuck together. Their scales are also ruffled. Ulcers appear in cases that are advanced.

Bicillin-5 (1/3 bottle per 100 liters of water), chloramphenicol (250 mg per 10 liters), kanamycin (1 g per 25 liters), or methylene blue (5 ml per 10 liters) are the treatments used for sick fish.

Tetrachymenosis

Tetrachymenosis, also known as guppy disease, is brought on by ciliates of the Tetrahymena genus, which enter the body of the fish through its gills. When guppies are ill, their gills protrude and their skin develops a mucus-like coating. The scales on the afflicted parts of the body become loose and fall off. Guppy fish float on the surface of the aquarium because they are oxygen-starved. Patients with guppies experience an increase in stomach volume as the disease progresses.

The sick fish are transferred to a different, highly aerated container that is filled with a saline solution (1 gram of table salt per liter of water). The water is mixed with either furazolidone (0.5 tablets per 10 l) or biseptol solution (1 tablet per 50 l). Furazolydone is added to the remaining fish as a preventive measure before feeding.

Redness of the gills

The guppy’s red gills are an indication of nitrite poisoning. When there is no filtration, the soil is not regularly cleaned, and there is overcrowding, there is an excessive buildup of nitrites in the water. Place fish with reddened gills in a container with settled, clean water. Every day, a 25% volume that has been in the aquarium for five days is replaced. Table salt can be added at a rate of one liter per hour.

Bone

The flagellate Ichthyobodo necatrix is the disease’s causative agent. Fish that are sick get sedentary. A bluish-white coating covers the areas along the spine and around the eyes. The white, projecting gills are visible. The fish are treated by submerging them in salt baths (1 tsp.l. table salt per 1 liter of water) containing potassium permanganate (until the solution pinkens slightly), and leaving them in the water for ten to fifteen minutes.

Even though guppy fish are well-known for their vivid colors and simple maintenance, they can still become ill from a number of common conditions, including velvet disease, ich, and fin rot, which can have a rapid effect on their health if left untreated. Maintaining the health and well-being of your guppies depends on your knowledge of their symptoms and underlying causes.

Guppy fish require careful attention to their surroundings, food, and general care in order to remain healthy. Early detection of common disease symptoms allows you to take action to stop the illness from spreading and damaging your entire aquarium.

A balanced diet, appropriate filtration, and routine water changes all contribute to your guppies’ continued health. To safeguard your guppy community, it’s also critical to quarantine fresh fish and keep a close eye out for any indications of illness.

You can enjoy your guppies’ beauty and energetic behavior for many years to come if you give them the proper care and act quickly to preserve their health.

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