Killer Body Fungus.

[djmatthewblack]

Split fins were caused by fungus or rot and were not the result of other guppies.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Killer Guppies?

They eat their young

[Mzungu]

Re: Killer Guppies?

If you separate the males and females, it would be for selective breeding purposes. Many guppy breeders do this so as to not taint the look they're trying to achieve. But if you don't really care too much about a specific trait being passed on, then just keep males and females together.

Yes, they eat their young.  :wink:  But I have never seen an adult guppy kill another adult guppy. From what you're saying, it sounds bacterial in nature, like fin rot, which can be caused by water quality.

[guppymax]

Re: Killer Guppies?

I think you would see the aggression if you watched the tank at all? It is possible that a bigger male will kill a smaller male or chase a female to death. I have seen females get very aggressive with other females. I think the problem is tale rot. I have seen some very destructive cases of this where everything  died in less than a week. In one case everything but the hood and light were sterilized with bleach, the tank was restocked and it happpened again because the splashing and condensation kept the bacteria alive on the hood and light fixture. I would look into tetracycline and maricine I and II and the one that starts with a K. If you do not have any luck sterilize  everything with bleach. Argggg. You can use chlorine remover to get rid of the bleach.

max

PS I did not mean to step on anyone. We all posted at the same time, given that it takes time to write our answers!

[Mzungu]

Re: Killer Guppies?

Before you do anything drastic, though, test your water. Let us know the results.

[djmatthewblack]

Re: Killer Guppies?

My water is pretty close to perfect conditions.  pH is 7.0, no chlorine, no nitrites, just a little nitrates (healthy range)
Also the guppies that have been in there longer haven't displayed any sort of fin rot.  Not to mention when I last saw the male cobra his tail looked battered, not rotted.  
Funny thing is that they are not eating the infants at all (as far as I can tell).  I've been finding 5 or 6 babies a day and I can leave them in there for a day or two and the same one will still be there.  They have lots of cover in the centerpiece colloseum where I put a bunch of plastic plants for them to hide.
I am hoping there is something wrong with the fish I bought.  The blues came from Petsmart and there is two surviving, a very small female which if the trend continues will be the next to die, and the large blue whom has been dropping all or most of the babies.  The cobras came from Fish Gallery and cobras are suppose to be better at fighting than other guppies so I am hoping they can hold their own during the night when the killings seem to be taking place.

[PhishPhreek]

Re: Killer Guppies?

flake food that has been on the shelf for over a year can somtimes harbor diseases that will kill your guppies.  

Also if you add new fish to the tank without isolating them for at least 4 weeks they can be carriers of the plague.

Existing fish in poor environments or malneutrished are week and suceptable to diseases that strong fish carry but are tough enouth to fight off.  

diseases

[djmatthewblack]

Re: Killer Guppies?

I found one reason I have been finding the bodies in such poor condition.  I found one of my black mystery snails trying to make a snack out of a leftover fish.  I know this doesn't explain how the females died but at least I know a possible reason why they have been in bad condition.  As long as no one else dies.  My large female has finished giving birth and I have over 20 babies.  So out of the $4 I spent on females I made out okay, but I won't be getting anymore guppies from petsmart.

[djmatthewblack]

Re: Killer Guppies?

I was totally wrong.  Turns out it has been body fungus this whole time.  I added ferts last night for my plants which must have sped up the fungus (or the increased spread occurred naturally) cause throughout this morning they developed a white fuzz all over the bodies.  For some reason females have caught it most, the female cobras.  I quickly ran out and quickly bought some tablets, my tank is now aqua-green colored.  I had ten females now I have 7 and 1 more probably won't recover, but I might save the tank.
I could have treated it earlier, but now I know and hopefully next time I see the split fins I can treat it for fungus rather than thinking it from fighting.  I'll let you know how things go.

[armthehomeless]

Re: Killer Guppies?

I think you may need to remove carbon from your filter too (it should be in the directions). Hope your treatment of the tank goes well.

[djmatthewblack]

Re: Killer Guppies?

What do you mean remove carbon from my filter?  I took out the new filter and put in one that is just the floss without carbon.  I am supposing I should do this cause the carbon will filter out the fungus treatment.  
And is there anyway to prevent this from happening or is it only treatable?

[armthehomeless]

Re: Killer Guppies?

Putting the filter floss without the carbon was what I would have done as well. As far as the fungus itself, it is preventable (although the spores for it are in most aquariums). Check out this site:

http://www.aquariumfish.com/aquariumfish/detail.aspx?aid=20709&cid=3788&search=

If you are still confused... please ask more questions. That is how you learn. We are all learning here!

[fishhog]

Re: Killer Guppies?

What are meds are you using?

[guppymax]

Re: Killer Guppies?

You might consider adding salt to your water as a preventative. Perhaps a teaspoon per gallon. Stress coat might also help as a preventative.

max

[djmatthewblack]

Re: Killer Guppies?

I already use salt during all my water changes.  I use one tablespoon per 5 gallons.  I would have to check the box to see what I used, some sort of Jungle Fungus removing tablets.  I will get some stress coat too.