Why is my new guppy hiding with a limp tail and sitting at the top?

Thanks for reaching out and including photos. A disease is unlikely to affect the shrimp and your fish. Check and correct water quality, as these abnormalities can affect all species. The guppies might be in hiding due to stress or over competition from the platys, as they can be territorial. Good luck.

I'm sorry for the loss of your guppy. It may have been infection (bacterial, fungal or parasitic). If there were other fish in the tank, he may have been nipped at, leading to infection. This could be why his tail looked smaller or "pinched". Check water chemistry and maintain water quality. This is the best way to keep fish healthy.

This could be a bacterial or fungal infection. If there are other fish in the tank, trauma cannot be ruled out. if there are other fish, ideally Tiny should be removed to a quarantine or hospital tank for treatment. If not, you can treat Tiny in the main tank. First, confirm adequate water quality. You can use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing. The local Petco may offer water testing for free or for a small fee. Aim for an absence (0ppm) of ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20ppm or less. perform partial water changes, no more than 30% total volume at a time, using conditioned and temperature matched water. Goldfish are cold water fish that do best between 68 and 74 F. The filter should be rated for at least twice the volume of the tank. Plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt) can be used to reduce stress, treat minor infection and aid in recovery. Dissolve 1 tablespoon of salt per 5 gallons in a cup or two of two of tank water and gently pour it in. Treat for 10-14 days then perform water changes to reduce salinity. Only treat the amount of water being replaced. More often than not, pristine water quality will allow recovery of minor infections or trauma. If necessary, you can use a broad spectrum antibiotic or all in one product, such as LifeGuard (Tetra) or All In One Remedy (Marineland), to treat the tank. You can find these products in the Aquarium section of the local Petco or online. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment.

Hi Susanna, and thanks for your question about Sunbeam. Sometimes fish will sink to the bottom of the tank when they aren't feeling well - it is sort of like when we don't feel good and need to lie down to rest. This weakness may be related to what you are seeing on the eye. If there is a disease or problem going on with the eye, it may be making Sunbeam sick. To figure this out for sure, Sunbeam would need to go to a veterinarian. The vet would be able to take a look at his eye, and then may recommend treatments on how to make Sunbeam feel better. I hope that helps to answer your question, and I hope Sunbeam feels better soon!

This could be either a bacterial infection, such as Columnaris, or a fungal infection, such as Saprolegnia. It is difficult to say without an exam or image. Either can be treated with medications found in the aquarium section of the local Petco. Look for an antifungal or antibiotic. You may even find a combination product. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment. Maintain pristine water quality via filtration and regular partial water changes. If an antifungal does not work, try an antibiotic or vice versa. Keep water temp between 78 F and 80 F.

Separate him out into a hospital tank if possible. He could be injuring himself on tank furniture (plants, rocks, etc.). You can treat using a broad spectrum antibiotic such as Maracyn or Kanaplex. Find them in the aquarium section of the local Petco or fish store. Plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt) can also be used to aid healing. Dissolve 1 teaspoon per gallon of water in a cup of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. Treat for 7-10 days then perform partial water changes to decrease salinity. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock.

Thanks for your question about your fish, and congratulations on your new family members! I didn't see how recently the tank was set up, but there are a couple of things that could be going on. I would start by checking your water quality - any abnormalities in water quality can make fish have abnormal behaviors, and the water looks a bit murky in the photos you provided. There may be parameters that need to be addressed depending on what you find. If you do not have a water quality kit, they can be purchased at the pet store or an aquarium store, or you can take a sample of your water in for evaluation to these places as well. Some will charge a small fee for this service, just so you are prepared. Also, with recent tank set ups, it can be stressful for fish as they are in a new habitat. I would recommend keeping the light on for only a few hours per day to start, as the bright lights can be shocking for them (since fish don't have eyelids). Gradually you can increase the length of time that the lights are on so that you reach a cycle of 10-12 hours of light and 12-14 hours of darkness for them. I hope this gives you a place to start, and I wish you and your mom the best with the new pets!