Why My Guppies Keep Dying?

A few months back, I bought eight guppies (4 males and 4 females). After the first week, all of a sudden 1 female guppy died and a week later 1 male guppy died, as an experienced guppy keeper I was thinking why my guppies keep dying?

The possible reasons why guppies keep dying are poor water parameters, overcrowded fish tanks, unsuitable tank mates, inbreeding (breeding within a family), sickness, ratio of male guppies more than females.

This article will provide the symptoms, causes, and solutions on how do you keep your guppies from dying.

How Do You Know If Your Guppy is Dying? (Dying Guppies Signs)

Sometimes as a fish keeper, it is hard to notice signs and symptoms of sickness in your guppies. In general, your guppies look fine, but after monitoring closely you will notice the symptoms.

1. When you see your guppy laying on the bottom or staying still indicates they are unwell.

2. If guppy starts eating less food, then they get thin which results in losing weight, and may die all of a sudden.

3. Guppy losing color is a signal of illness or stress.

4. The irregular swimming behavior of the guppy is a clue of discomfort.

5. When you see your guppies with white spots on the body, swollen (bloated) belly, bent spine, and rotten fin, it is evidence of sickness.

6. Guppies may be attacked by the other fish so they get injured, and as a result, it causes stress.

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Reasons Why Are My Guppies Dying:

I will discuss the reasons for guppy fish die in your tank.

Reason # 1: Inadequate Water Parameters

Guppies are tropical freshwater fish. The water parameters play a crucial for the guppies survival.

Too hot water lowers the level of oxygen which makes it hard for guppies to breathe. In cold water spread of diseases among the guppies are faster. Guppies may die in both scenarios.

Guppies struggle in acidic water conditions which is below 7.0 pH.

Even if you maintain a neutral (7.0 pH) or slightly alkaline (above 7.0 pH) environment in the aquarium, the water acidity will gradually increase over time due to fish waste.

The most frequent causes for guppies keep dying one by one are dirty filters and substrates, overfeeding, and not removing dead fish from the tank which leads to an increase in ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite levels.

Did you just put your guppies in an uncycled tank and now they are dying one at a time? Guppies are finding it hard to adjust and feeling stress which makes them die in a new tank.

Solution # 1:

– Maintain toxic-free water levels are 0 ppm ammonia, 0 ppm nitrite, and less than 40 ppm nitrate.

– The suitable water temperature is between 72F and 82F (22 to 28 degrees Celsius).

– It is always good to keep a pH level between 6.8 and 7.6.

– To cycle a new tank it will take between 1 to 3 weeks. Before and after introducing guppies perform a water test and use a water conditioner to speed up the cycling process.

Pro-tips :

– Consider using an aquarium heater for cold water and an aquarium chiller for hot water.

– Measure the level of toxins using API freshwater test kit.

– To keep water toxin-free, I use Seachem Prime Conditioner.

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Reason # 2: Overpopulated Guppy Fish Tank

As humans we like to live in large spaces, guppies also need enough space to move around.

The reproduction ratio of guppies multiplies quickly, and even bigger aquariums are getting overcrowded in a short period.

This turns into to reduction of oxygen levels. As a result, guppies may die in an aquarium.

Solution # 2:

– For healthy living of guppies, it is advisable to have 5 to 6 guppies in a 10-gallon tank.

– To control the population, keep only male guppies in water tank.

Pro-tip :
To increase water movement I use Hygger Aquarium Air Stone.

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Reason # 3: Aggressive Tankmates

When identifying why are my guppies dying so fast, consider checking out whether the guppies fish mates are compatible or not.

Unfriendly fish like angelfish, tiger bars, and cichlids consider guppies as competition and attack them. During the fight guppies get injured which leads to stress and even death.

Another thing to consider is guppies are peaceful fish and normally they won’t reply in rivalry.

This is the probable reason for dying your guppy.

Solution # 3:

– Separate aggressive tank mates and accompany guppies with friendly tank mates such as Platy fish, Molly fish, Swordtail Fish, Cory Catfish, etc.

– If you cannot separate the aggressive tank mates from guppies, then provide hiding spots for guppies to reduce stress.

Pro-tip :
I use plants, rocks, or decorations that provide interesting hiding spots for guppies.

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Reason # 4: Inbreeding Weakens Genetics

If you are doing everything correctly and still your guppies are dying one by one, then the problem is due to poor genetics.

Guppies are popular for their vibrant colors, waving fins, and breeding easily.

Inbreeding means the mating of fish from the same family. This is the most common practice among many breeders to create colorful breeds with attractive fins.

To get the bright and unique colors of guppy fry, breeders keep the guppy family in the same tank to breed.

This leads to genetic disability which makes guppy fish prone to diseases.

Sometimes guppies die due to old age.

Solution # 4:

– Always buy guppies from a reputed breeder or pet shop that uses line breeding.

Pro-tip :
I prefer buying guppy breeds such as Blue Grass Guppy, Red Delta Guppy, Green Cobra Guppy, Platinum Guppy, and Black Moscow Guppy which live longer due to their durability and health.

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Reason # 5: Diseases in Guppies

As mentioned inadequate water conditions and poor genetics are the main causes of diseases, eventually keep guppies dying.

You should look for guppies’ sickness symptoms like discoloration, unusual swimming behavior, loss of appetite, or difficulty in breathing.

The common diseases found in guppies are dropsy (swollen belly), ick (white spots on the body), velvet (gold dust on the body), fin rot fungal infections, bacterial infections, parasites, and swim bladder issues.

If this sickness is not treated on time, then guppies die soon.

Solution # 5:

– Quarantine sick guppy in a different tank.

– When you are confused go to Vet, don’t take risks.

Pro-tip :
I highly recommend using the Tetra Lifeguard is a non-antibiotic treatment that helps with many diseases

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Reason # 6: Stressed Female Guppy (Male-To-Female Ratio)

If you are wondering why female guppies are dying? You need to monitor your tank to verify the ratio of male to female guppies.

If there are more or equal male guppies to female guppies in your water tank, then your female guppies experience stress and harassment.

The female guppies are chased by male guppies for mating. This will weaken the immune system of female guppies. It will be more likely female guppies get sick and even die.

Solution # 6:

Keep a ratio of 3 female guppies for every 1 male guppy fish in your tank (3:1) (Female: Male).

Pro-tip :
I use caves, live plants, and driftwood to protect female guppies from male guppies.

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Conclusion

To save guppies from dying, you need to look at the symptoms and find the causes, which will help you to treat them correctly.

The solutions mentioned in this article such as the ideal water parameter, limiting the guppy count, friendly tank mates, verifying guppy quality before buying, treating the sickness and keeping hiding spaces.

If you still have some questions, let me know in the comment sections.

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FAQS

1. Why are my guppies dying after a water change?

When you change more than 50% of the water, can cause stress to guppies and they may die.

2. Why pregnant guppies keep dying?

The reasons for mother guppies die after giving birth are shock, stress, and sickness.

3. Should I change water after fish died?

Yes, you should change 5% to 10% water after the fish died.

4. Why are my baby guppies dying?

Lack of oxygen and poor water conditions are the reasons for baby guppies dying.

Happy Guppy Keeping!

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