AboutShorty Expertise ~my dad got mad and took away my internet. dont kno when ill have it back. sorry...~
I will answer all questions as best I can, and if I am unsure of the answer, I will be willing to do research. I can answer questions about tetras, especially neon tetras. I can also answer questions on common diseases and parasites and how to treat them, and tank setups, maintenance, and cleaning. I can provide info. on cichlids (including breeding), goldfish, raising and breeding fancy guppies, and feeding your fish. If I don’t know the answer to your question, I will research and tell you my findings.
Experience I am 16 years old, but I have owned at least one fish tank since I was in elementary school. I now have a tank dedicated to raising and breeding fancy guppies, with much success. I have another tank with goldfish, which I’ve had the longest, and a larger tank with convict cichlid cichlids, which I have successfully bred, jewel cichlids, and an oscar. I’ve also raised and bred other cichlids as well. I used to have two other tanks, one with angel fish, and the other with tetras, which I recently got rid of. I’ve raised other fish such as catfish and gouramis along the way too. Since I have had fish so long I know much about diseases, and parasites, and how to treat them.
At the time i am writing this now i have:
1 Oscar
2 Jewel Cichlids
1 betta
6 goldfish
1 Kuhli loach
1 Rainbow shark
1 pleco
25 guppies
6 adult convict cichlids
30 young convict cichlids
Organizations I am hoping to volunteer at Hawk Creek.
Education/Credentials im only 16.... but I've been on the honor role my whole life(averages in the mid 90's), and im taking college courses in highschool.
Question I got a female guppy from my sister. She had the guppy for several
months and now I have had it for several months. It has been fine, it eats
well, has had babies and is a big fat guppy. Today i noticed her back has a
curve in it like it has caved in. She is still swimming but she sways to the side
some and was staying mostly at the top now it is at the bottom of my tank.
When i fed her she still ate the food and is swimming fast still. I have never
seen anything like it and i worked in a petshop for
years. I have live plants in the tank and recently lost three of my
guppies. When i tested my water my nitrates were high and my water was
very hard and my ph was off only a little. My other levels were within the
normal range. Before I added my plants my water always tested in the normal
range except for a little hardness and I am newer to having live plants in my
tank. I've had them only for a few months. Do you know what could be my
guppies problem and if it is fixable? Could it be something that will harm my
other fish?
Thank you for your help. Melinda
Answer Hi Melinda! I have had guppies for almost my whole life, and found that when the females get older, they will sometimes developed curved spines. here is something i managed to find on the Internet:
DEFICIENCY DISEASES
Except for vitamin D deficiency, very little is known about fish deficiency diseases. The very nature of their natural food almost warrants they receive all the known vitamins, but under artificial conditions they could conceivably have a deficiency. Mineral deficiencies are doubtless common, a fact we can determine knowing the inadequate diets often fed to guppies.
Rickets
A disease caused by a deficiency of calcium or phosphorus or vitamin D; one, two or all three. A crooked spine and the resulting bend in the fish's body is the usual evidence, although the unfortunate humpback can live and even reproduce. It is not a pleasant sight among the fishes of the aquarium.
Proper lighting can prevent D deficiency; the active rays affect ergosterol in the skin of the fish and change it to the irradiated form which is vitamin D. Sometimes whole aquariums will show bent spines but generally only a few of the fishes are affected. There is no treatment; it is all a matter of prevention which is primarily a matter of proper feeding of a complete diet.
I have found from my experience that one guppy having a curved spin does not affect the other guppies. Curved spines in guppies occur almost exclusively in females. Being large breeders the deficiency makes sense because giving birth to the large number of fry takes a toll on the guppies body. Young female guppies that are well taken care of can usually handle giving birth to a large batch of fry, but as they get older they will have difficulties and can develop bent spines.
The live plants are actually beneficial to the guppies, but you must remove any rotting or dying parts to keep the tank clean. Plants also provide another source of food for the guppies, helping to ensure a healthy diet. Just keep your tank cleaned with regular water changed and keep the filter clean as well. The hardness of your water shouldn't be a problem either. And guppies do die, that is why they have so many young, so don't be disappointed if they die once in a while. Your tank will balance itself out and your fish will start to thrive again. If you have any more questions feel free to ask. Good Luck! :)
