Why Are my Guppies dying?

[ploddypop]

I only just bought some male guppies on Saturday and one of them died the Sunday and then one just died tonight and I only have one left. I also have two snails in the tank too. I feed the guppies the right food and I have checked the water pH level and it is right. What am I doing wrong. I have had 2 fantails but they are fine. (they are in different tanks.) what am I doing that isn't right? Please help!

[fairkatrina]

Sometimes fish just die. I keep all manner of tropical fish and as a rule of thumb for every 6 you introduce to a tank, 2 will die through shock of the experience, water differences etc etc. However guppies are usually quite hardy fish (or so I have found), so it might be something to do with the tank. If your water pH is alright then try checking the ammonia content, as snails very quickly foul up a tank. Excess ammonia can be quickly and simply rectified with a solution available in all fish suppliers, and you can prevent the problem from recurring by introducing a plecostomos or small catfish to the tank (but be warned they eat crusteaceans so if you want to keep your snails I'd avoid this). You may have some kind of infection in the tank (if fish have died before in large numbers then this is the likely cause), in which case you will be lucky to ever clear the tank of it completely, but removing all the fish etc and boil washing the tank, stones, filters etc etc could help.

When putting fish into a new tank make sure you place the bag with them in in the tank for at least half an hour before opening it, to allow the water temperatures to align, reducing the shock. Also, if you have a tank light keep it off until the fish are settled. Some people advise against feeding the fish on the first day, but I find that giving them a tiny amount of food once they are in the tank distracts them from the shock of the move, and settles them quicker.

Good luck!

[hammerman]

There is a problem with guppies being imported from singapore at the moment. The problem is a parasite called tetrahymena which can wipe out complete tanks of guppies over night.

Ask where the guppies came from next time you buy some....if the shop is any good, they should be able to tell you.
Generally, Czech guppies are the best but if you can get them, home grown guppies are better and people usually give them away.
I bought over 30 guppies over the weekend and all have been superb....so if you're anywhere near East Sussex....i'll give you the names of some good shops.