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Hi all,

I have had this female guppy for about 4 months now.

She has recently given birth in the last 7 days and now her head is always facing upwards. Its like there is air towards the front of her body and she always points upwards.

She sits still and only movies when a male annoys her.

Here is a picture of what she does.
http://users.bigpond.net.au/aquaone/sickfish.htm

What should I do? Should I put her into a breeding tank until she recovers? Will she be able to recover?

All my other fish, Neon, Gouramies, Mollies are all OK and show no signs of stress.

I did a water change about 4 days before she started swimming vertically.

Last edited by saiya at 12-Apr-2005 06:03

For now I would move her to the breeding net, and keep an eye on her...get us your water parameters on the tank...I'm off to get Jamie, she should know what to do, I've never had a guppy do this, this obviously...heidi

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

Hi heidi,

Ive put her into a breeding tank and looked this morning and unfortunately she did not make it.

I thought it might of been some air or somthing but looks like it was more serious.

Thanks.

I am sorry to hear of your loss.

Unfortunately this happens even to the best of us from time to time. There are several reasons something like this could happen ranging from fungus to fry getting stuck in the "birth canal" causing the momma to die. I have even heard in small younger guppies having large pregnancies causing damage to the swim bladder, stressing out and end result dying, which sounds like this could have been a factor given the symptoms you described. Also, when a fishy shows signs of any signs of weekness, the other fish tend to pick on them, further stressing them out and progressing the issue. (A lot of times this happens when you are not looking and do not realize it's happening). Also though, the swimming nose straight up tends to just be a sign they are on their way out regardless of the reason.... You did the right thing by separating her to decrease her stress in her final hours...

Good luck with your fry and take care!


Last edited by ~jamie~ at 13-Apr-2005 19:21

I'm sorry about your loss alsoI had a feeling that it wasn't going to come to a good ending, but was being hopeful that Jamie would know something I didn't. I'm glad that you were at least able to give her piece of mind at the end of her time. Take care of the fry, and show them love...heidi

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

Thanks for your help ~jamie~ and heidi, I really appreciate it.

Yeah I think it might of been what you said about having a large pregnacy and damaging the swim bladder as she was really fat before she gave birth, and looks like she gave birth to fry all at once.

Anyway its all experience and its a great hobby. Thanks heaps