Guppy behavior

Question

Sunburst  
Sunburst   QUESTION: One of my male guppies stays around the same spot at the bottom of the tank on the gravel. Should I be concerned? I don't see any physical signs of disease of stress. Thoughts? I also have 4 more guppies that stay at the top of the tank in the darkest part of the tank. They are not gasping for air nor show signs of stress. Do you think they are scared? They swim freely around the tank when no one is in the room, but when someone enters the room the swim to the same spot. I have 2 loud & hyper three year olds. Thoughts?
55 Gal Tank, 74 degrees F, PH, AK, Nitrate, Nitrite, & Amonnia are in ideal range. Marineland Penguin biowheel 350 Filter. 18" air stone at bottom as well as air from valve on undergground crab island.
Attaching a picture of the guppy that hangs out at the bottom.
Thank you for your help.
5 Adult Guppies, 3 Male & 2 Female
22 Med size Fry  4-6 weeks old
1 Mickey Mouse Swordtail
2 Red Claw Crabs

ANSWER: Hi Chrissy

The first problem I see is that they are probably cold. You'll need to raise the temp of your tank to 78 - 80 degrees.

Next, it is common for fish to hide if they feel scared. Have your 3 year olds been hitting the side of the tank as most kids like to do? Sine you say they hide when people enter the room, this is most likely what is happening. The fish are associating that loud hammering sound with people.

Another issue is the Red Claw Crabs...they eat small fish. I would definitely find another tank for the crabs or your Guppies will eventually begin to disappear. The Red Claws also need a place to get out of the water so they can get air. Because of this, you need to lower the water level of the tank taking swimming room away from your fish.

Other than that, as long as they are eating normally, look normal and swim normal, I wouldn't worry about them. But definitely make sure the kids aren't hitting the tank.

Hope this helps, good luck!

Richard

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for the information! I will raise the temperature. We have an underground island made by Atlantis that allows the crabs air. The local fish store said as long as the crabs were fed regularly they would not eat the fish. We give them shrimp pellets in a feeder tube to their island.. So far we still have all fry, even without removing them from main tank. Would you still recommend transferring them to another aquarium?  I have seen our boys tap the glass & promptly corrected them not to. Will our fish warm up to people again? The fry does seem to mind any motion. Thanks again!!!

Answer
I would recommend moving the crabs to another tank. I'm not a fan of keeping crustaceans with Tropical Fish. The main reason is...if you need to treat your tank for illness, you'd have to remove the crabs as most fish medication will kill crustaceans.

Definitely make sure the boys don't tap the tank. What is a light tap on the outside, is a jackhammer sound on the inside. Keep the fish on a regular schedule as far as feeding and tank lights on/off at the same time each day. With a regular schedule and the kids not hitting the tank, they may warm up to people again. All of my fish greet me in the mornings and evenings at feeding times and some even eat out of my fingers. This is especially true of my Guppies and Mollies so I hope you get to this point with your fish.

Hope this helps you, good luck!

Richard