My guppy fry have bent backs. Are they in pain? Will they survive?

Thanks for reaching out about Freddie. A bent body is often a spinal disease, possibly a dislocation or fracture. Vitamin C deficiencies are common if the the pellets or flakes are not replaced every few months. Trauma, infections or stray electrical voltages are also possible. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic plan. Good luck.

A bent spine can be the result of poor nutrition, congenital defects, parasites, trauma or serious illness such as fish tuberculosis (TB). It is good that you isolated him. If the cause is either trauma or congenital, you might want to consider humanely euthanizing him. Before that though, you can try a broad spectrum anti parasite medication. You can purchase one at most pet stores in the Aquarium section. Check for adequate water quality and feed a species appropriate diet. If he doesn't improve or worsens, relieving his suffering may be the humane option.

He may be constipated or may have a severe infection. You can separate him out or place him in a breeding net and offer bits of cooked and shelled green peas. This should help relieve the constipation. If it is infection, a salt treatment or antibiotics may help. Place him in a separate tank and dissolve 2 1/2 teaspoons of Epsom salt (NOT table salt) per ten gallons. This can help draw out excess fluid in the body. If there is no improvement, add a broad spectrum antibiotic such as kanamycin or Maracyn 2 to the tank. You can purchase either in your local fish store or in the aquarium section of most pet stores. Follow label directions carefully. Once he is recovered, you can return him to the main tank. Monitor water quality. Many infections can be caused by poor water quality, overfeeding or overstocking the tank. Use a home test kit to check ammonia, nitrates and nitrites. The first two should always be 0 ppm (parts per million), nitrates can read 40 ppm or less. Dropsy is a condition caused by infection that results in fluid retention. If your guppy's scales are sticking out (like a pinecone), he is likely in end stage Dropsy and humane euthanasia should be considered.

unfortunately it is really common that fish are sold when they are already sick. I would be concerned the one hiding has a respiratory infection or possible fungal disease like fin rot. You can try and medicate the water with over the counter anti fungals. However I would recommend trying to take them to a fish specialist to get better medications due to having to treat both of them. If one continues to get sicker I would recommend placing it in its own tank.

I'm sorry for the loss of your guppy. It may have been infection (bacterial, fungal or parasitic). If there were other fish in the tank, he may have been nipped at, leading to infection. This could be why his tail looked smaller or "pinched". Check water chemistry and maintain water quality. This is the best way to keep fish healthy.

Thanks for reaching out about your glowfish. Being gravid can produce distensions on both sides but so can coelomic fluid, an organ enlargement (liver, kidney), constipation and other problems. If having difficulty swimming, eating or isolating self, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.

In most normal circumstances, the guppy birthing process takes between two and six hours, but if the mother is having difficulty, it can take up to 12 hours for all the fry to be delivered. In some cases, the mother will deliver a few fry and then stop the delivery only to resume in a few days. So, give her a bit more time and try to not stress her out.