Guppy tail rot desease

Question
Dear Karen,

As far as I know, tail rot disease is a bacterial issue. I know antibiotics can work very well, but I also know that antibiotics kill nitrifying bacteria. How could I lead an effective treatment with out destroying beneficial bacteria and consequently perturb nitrifying process?


Answer
Dear Carlos,
First let me apologize for responding so late. This was because our website has been under some reconstruction and as a result, pages take a horribly long time to load and many have errors.

Certainly tail rot disease is bacterial in nature. It is uneccesary to go into the issues of what types and strains of bacteria they are right at this moment, but treatment should be fairly easy depending on the stages and levels of deterioration of the poor guppy's fins. Early stages can be treated with a week long or more treatment of Melafix/Pimafix combination and plenty of daily 50% water changes always insuring the replacement water is equal in temperature to that of your aquarium and is dechlorinated.
Further advanced cases may need stronger more potent medications such as Mardel's Maracyn 1 or Maracyn II--both can be used together for a combined treatment. Water changes are still in order as always anytime your fish are ill.
Very advanced cases of Fin rot can be difficult to cure. But many fish do survive and recover as long as their enviromental stress levels are kept at a minimum and ideally, the disease caught early. Fortunately, Melafix/Pimafix are both safe on the nitrifying bacteria. Many medications are with guarantees, but I cannot guarantee anything because as you know, fish are such delicate and sensitive little creatures.

Mardels products are not claimed to destroy bacterial colonies. But you always take that risk. I have found MARDEL to be very trustworthy and reliable. But if you can, try the Melafix/pimafix route and PLENTY of daily large water changes, taking special attention to insure mulm has not accumulated in the gravel and filter material where bad bacteria loves to flourish and thrive.

You can also try giving your guppies a mild salt solution. Using aquarium salt can help fins heal and deter some of the bacteria from spreading. In my opinion I feel you should add half the dose for your aquarium in the morning and the other half of the total in the late evening. It's best to dissolve the salt in a cup beforehand and then pour it into the tank. Consistantly warm tank temperatures also help in recovery. If you can give your fish vitamin rich foods this can also really help in their healing. Vitamin supplements are often an overlooked aspect of disease treatment while other animals non-aquatic--vitamin supplements are always recommended. Many fish do not like the taste of presoaked fish food in liquid vitamins but if yours do--you are lucky. Do this once a day. Or if you can find a "treat" food like HBH's Super soft pellets which have high levels of rich and healthy food that would be excellent for your guppies to be feed once a day.

All in all, with good water quality always, proper medications, good food and plenty of attention and care your guppies should recover just fine from their tail rot.
And harming beneficial bacterial colonies doesn't seem to be very common as long as the medications are not very toxic. Testing your water is the best bet also.

Best wishes and I do hope this helps!
Karen~