sick guppies??

[ilbcnuz]

I have about 15 guppies (male and female) in a 10 gallon tank for breeding purposes. The last few days some of the fish (both male and female) act like they are having spasms. They arch their spines and shimmy for a second or two and then go on about their normal lives. They aren't cold. The water is kept at a steady 78 degrees fahrenheit. There are no outward signs of parasites, fungus, etc. They are eating well as usual. Their diet consists of flake food daily, brine shrimp every third day, and the occasional algae wafer about once a week. Several females are very pregnant and two just gave birth to about 35 fry. I do a 30% water change every week. I've checked the disease database and can't find anything to match my symptoms. They almost act like they're having cramps. It looks painful to me. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!! Also there are 5 ghost shrimp in the tank with them doing the same thing. They practically fold themselves in half with these spasms.

 

[Leopardess]

I really am not sure what is happening. Perhas something like nitrate/nitrite/ammonia poisoning? What are you levels? Ive seen fish doing this before when those levels were high. Or, something toxic may have gotten into the tank? Are they scratching themselves against anything? Are their spines bent?

 

[revfred]

Some water parameter information might help us.

 

[Violet]

Malnutrition can cause a guppy's spine to bend. Ghost shrimp fold themselves in half when they are eating or checking things out sometimes. I noticed when I bred guppies that the males did a "mating dance". They would bend themselves in half and shimmy quickly forward or to the side. However, if they start rubbing against things, then it is more likely a sign of illness, watch for symptoms. Also look on the package of the meds to make sure they are safe for invertabrates.