Most guppy issues start with water quality. Catch problems early and you’ll rarely need medication.
Early warning signs
- Clamped fins: often ammonia or sudden pH swings.
- Flash scratching: check for nitrite, then consider parasites.
- Gasping at surface: low oxygen or high temperature; increase aeration.
- Stringy white poop: stop rich foods for 24 hours and feed peas or spirulina.
Immediate checks
- Test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH.
- Change 30–50% water if ammonia/nitrite show anything above 0.
- Add extra air with a sponge or airstone during treatments.
When to medicate
Use targeted meds only after water is stable. Treat ich (white spot) by raising to 27°C, adding salt (1 tbsp per 10 L) if your plants allow, and dosing per label. Always keep a test log so you can spot trends before fish do.