Dying Guppies

Question
I have been having a problem with my guppies hovering at the top of the water. I changed the water as it was a little cloudy. However after treating the water with "Jungle Start Right"; this is a complete water conditioner, my fish are still dying and are now hovering around the filter area.
I have read that salt is good for guppies but I also have a rather large pecostimus. Most likely spelled wrong.
The tank is a 10 gallon and I added one teaspoon of the water conditioner as directed. I also added a little stress coat for them as well.
I have changed the water in the same manner as this before and all went well.
Please help before I loose more.  

Answer
Hi Jeannette,

Fish hovering at the surface of the water is often a sign of inadequate oxygenation or poor water quality. This behavior can also be a sign of gill infection. In both situations, the reason that they are hovering is because he oxygen level at the top of the tank is greater, due to oxygen constantly being exchanged at the water's surface.


First, perform a 20% water change. This will help dilute any toxins that may be in the water. Then, add and air pump and airstone (If you do not have one, they are available at your local fish store) This will provide extra oxygenation.

Also, change 20% of the water daily until the fish recover. This will dilute any toxins that are present in the water. Also, I highly recommend that you buy a test kit to measure ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Testing the water is an essential part of fishkeeping, and any hobbyist should be doing this. It is true that fishkeepers are 'water keepers' instead.

So, if after both the water changes and the air pump with airstone, and the fish are still gasping at the surface, it may be due to a gill infection. In this case, they were most likely already sick from the store. you can treat this with an anti-fluke, or anti-parasitical medication available at your local fish store.

You can also add aquarium salt (not table salt), at a concentration of one tablespoon per 5 gallons, two tablespoons in your case.

One more note - Plecos should not be in a 10-gallon tank. They will reach an adult size of 24" (two feet, 60cm), and must be kept in a 50 gallon or larger tank. Unless you will be getting a larger tank in a few months, I highly recommend giving it away or returning it. It will be in poor health and may die prematurely in such a small tank.

Good Luck, and happy fishkeeping!