Male guppy tail rot, in tank with fry (seperated) how to treat??

[SarahCdnNanny]

Hey all...

I have a 10 gallon, with 1 adult male and 2 female guppies... with a divider and 5 fry on the other side.

I've just picked up some MelaFix for the tail rot that I think my male guppy has...

In the last week, I've lost 2 females and 1 male... my ammonia and nitrites have both been 0 this entire time, and my ph fine... I'm not sure why they died... My temp is a little high I think (82 at times) since its the summer.....

there are 5 guppy fry that are just over 3 weeks old.... 4 "normal ones" and one that has a deformed tail (its pointed).

A few questions...

1. could the reason I've lost 3 adults is that there is some sort of bacterial problem? Will the Melafix fix this like it says, as well as the tail rot??

2. Tail rot... that is just when the tail sort of gets frayed around the edges, little by little.... Its looking shredded, and its taken about 2 weeks to get like this... (bad me)

3. Will the melafix kill the fry?

4. Why does the melafix smell like vicks vapour rub??

5. Can I remove the divider now that the fry are 3+ weeks old? They do get over to the adults side from time to time, and the adults don't seem to chase them like they used to...


TIA!

Sarah

 

[Lotus]

1. It could be a bacterial problem, but the Melafix might not cure it. If you saw no symptoms, it could be an internal infection that Melafix is unlikely to treat.

2. Yes, that's fin rot. Extra water changes will probably also help to cure it.

3. No

4. Because it's made with a version of tea tree oil (not eucalyptus/menthol).

5. It depends how big they are. Are they too big to fit in the parents' mouths now? If so, they will be OK without the divider.

 

[SarahCdnNanny]

thank you... more...

Hey Lotus, Thank you for responding! I really appreciate your help!!

So, I should use the Melafix and do a water change, to help with the fin rot (which is only affecting the male guppy), but what can I do to help with the dying fish?? I must admit to flushing all 3 of them right when I notice they die... but I guess next time I'll attempt to find time to take them in for an autopsy to my local fish store (also called "Myfishtank") and see what they say...

Any other product suggestions? or things to look for when I find a dead fish to help diagnose what might have caused it?

Sarah

 

[Fish Friend]

Could i just ask what an
autopsy is ??

 

[Lotus]

Yes, a water change and Melafix is a good start.

If a fish has died for no visible reason, the only way to see is for the store to do a necropsy, and take scrapes to see if there is a bacterial or parasite internally. Even then, it's not sure they'll know for sure.

It's always a good idea to check your water parameters if fish die for unexplained reasons, just to rule that out.

Fish Friend: an autopsy is the examination they carry out on a dead person to determine the cause of death. A necropsy is the same thing, done on an animal. It includes opening the body to examine organs, as well as things like blood tests.

 

[SarahCdnNanny]

Thanks Lotus!

Thanks Lotus! I obviously didn't know the right words (autopsy vs necropsy)

I hope I don't have any more fatalities, but I'll try to really investigate why if another does occur

I think my 'deform' fry (one with the pointed tail) may have been eaten or died... I have yet to find it.

Sarah

 

[Fish Friend]

sorry to hear that, the female must have been stressed when she gave birth to de formed babys

 

[Lotus]

Sorry to hear about the fry.
Unfortunately it's one of the laws of nature that the weak ones don't always survive Especially with genetic problems, there are often other deformities that mean it's hard for the fish to survive (like an internal organ that doesn't function properly).