benlee Posted July 16, 2006 Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 Has anyone ever had a problem with guppies and their tails narrowing down??? There is also the very beggining of White Spot in the tank. (Being treated now) The strange change in the tails is what made me look at the fish a bit closer this morning and also when i noticed the white spot. Some of the worse cases the tail actually narrows right down to a tip like the end of a sharpened pencil. The worst affected guppies seem to congregate in the same place on the surface which is also where the current seems to take them. I have Glass Cats, Bristlenose, Siamese Fighters and Clown Loaches in the tank as well. None seem to be suffering the effects of White Spot or the mysterious shrinking tail. I have just had another look and, of the guppies that have the shrinking tail, about 1/4 of them have white spot also, so i guess from that the two are unrelated. Any advice or help is appreciated. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted July 16, 2006 Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 They are not unrelated. The tails you describe are a result of the fish being sick. A healthy fish has nice widespread fins but when something is wrong, they clamp their fins, which is what you describe. Whitespot is a disease they get when under stress. Something is wrong! It is possible it is affecting the guppies first and the others will follow if you don't fix it. Have you done checks on your temperature, pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz Posted July 16, 2006 Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 some of my guppies have this mysterious shrinking tail problem. The ones i have found now reside in fish heaven. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benlee Posted July 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 The temprature is fine, however im am unable to test the pH ect.. Have had carbon in filter untill i dosed it for the whitespot. Can the testing kits be bought inexpensivly? or will pet shops test it for you? Any one know of a place on the North Shore? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted July 16, 2006 Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 I believe some pet shops will do water tests for you. Ring around and ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benlee Posted July 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 Got water checked today and it all come back fine. The white spot has cleared up but the tails are still clamped down. I am trying a course of Melafix now. Not sure what else to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herefishiefishie Posted July 17, 2006 Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 Did they check nitrites...?? Keep medicating for 7-10 days to cure white spot. Keep up with the water changes. I'd be doing 30%, 2 to 3 times a week for 2 weeks, with a gravel syphon. Remember to melafix is daily for 7 days. Frenchy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benlee Posted July 18, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 Yeah, nitrates were fine too, Melafix appears to be doing the trick, Tails opening back up with only one casualty so far. Who knows what was going on, the only other thing i did was lower the lever of the tank by half so i did not have to use up so much of the medication. All appear to be on the mend now at any rate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.