Guppies are beautiful fish with attractive colors, especially male guppies. However, in the journey of keeping guppies as a pet, we sometimes notice some strange appearances of guppy fish. We see that our guppy fish develop red spots all over their bodies.
Guppy fish having red spots is not natural and is a clear sign of guppy fish suffering from some issues. Let us discuss the reasons and find the treatment for such issues. So, Why does my guppy have red spots? Let us find out.
An ammonia spike is a primary reason your guppy fish has red spots. However, infection due to bacteria and parasites can also be the reason behind guppy fish turning red. Ensure good water condition and avoid overcrowding your guppy fish tank to prevent such issues.
This article will discuss the reason, treatment, and prevention for guppy fish having red spots. So let us get into it.
Contents
My guppy has red spots.
Ammonia poisoning is the primary reason for your guppy fish developing red spots.
However, infection due to bacteria and parasites can also be why your guppy fish has red spots.
Inadequate tank conditions and parameters lead to such issues in guppy fish.
Immediate action is required in an early stage as guppy fish can suffer from a critical condition if not treated early.
Also read: Why Is My Guppy Fish Turning Black?
Is It normal for a guppy to have a red spot?
It is not normal for a guppy to have a red spot.
If your guppy fish is developing a red spot day by day and turning red, there are some issues in your guppies aquarium.
Ammonia spikes and parasites can be the reason behind your guppy fish turning red and having a red spot.
Consider treating your guppy fish immediately, as such conditions can make your guppy fish even pass away.
Also read: Why Do Guppies Lose Their Color?
What are the reasons behind my guppy having red spots?
These are the reasons behind your guppy fish having red spots:
- There has been an ammonia spike in your guppy fish tank.
- Your guppy fish is suffering from a disease or parasite.
Ammonia spike
An ammonia spike is a leading reason for your guppy developing a red spot and turning red.
These are all the reasons which cause ammonia spikes in your guppy fish tank:
- Poor water conditions will result in an ammonia spike in your guppy fish tank.
- Setting up a new tank and not performing a nitrogen cycle will lead to an ammonia spike.
- A high pH level will result in an ammonia spike in your guppy fish tank.
- An overcrowded tank will lead to an ammonia spike in your guppy fish aquarium.
- Chemically treated water can lead to an ammonia spike in your guppy fish tank.
- The waste produced by your guppy fish will contaminate the water, leading to an ammonia spike in your guppy fish tank.
- There will be an ammonia spike in your guppy fish tank when the filtration system fails to function correctly.
An ammonia spike in your guppy fish tank will result in ammonia burns, making your guppy fish appear red.
Your guppy fish will become lethargic and will lose its appetite over time.
You will see your guppy fish sitting at the bottom of the tank most of the time because of the affected gills by ammonia poisoning.
Your guppy fish will also clamp their fins and gasp for the air at the tank’s surface.
However, you can treat ammonia poisoning in your guppies if you detect the issues early.
Also read: Why Is My Guppy Turning Grey And Become Pale?
Disease or parasite
A disease or parasite can also be why your guppy fish develops red spots.
If you notice some mobile red marks, then the clear explanation is the parasite is feeding on your guppy fish fluid and cells.
You can remove the large parasites, if visible, by using Trichlorfon-based chemicals.
Infection caused by bacteria and parasites can also make your guppy fish develop red spots on their body.
Usually, such parasites and bacteria develop in poor-quality water.
Contaminated water is the root cause of the production of such bacteria and parasites.
How to treat red spots in guppies?
Perform these steps to prevent such issues in your guppies:
In case of ammonia poisoning:
- To drop the ammonia level, perform a major water change of 50-60%.
- Avoid providing food to your guppy fish for some days in case of high-level ammonia in the tank.
- Use pH control products to stabilize the water pH level to distress your guppy fish and stabilize the water ammonia.
- Avoid any new fish in the tank until the ammonia level decreases and reaches below 0.25 ppm.
In case of ammonia burns:
- Place your sick guppy fish in a hospital tank (Separate tank).
- Run antibiotic and antibacterial medication by consulting a marine vet.
- Make sure not to perform treatment in the main tank as it can eliminate all the beneficial bacteria from the system, and you have to complete a nitrogen cycle again.
- Perform a treatment until your guppy fish again starts eating normally. Usually, it will take 4-5 days for your guppy to recover.
- You can re-introduce the guppy fish back to the main tank.
In case of infection due to bacteria and parasites:
- Perform a major water change of 50-60% to make the water clean as poor water quality is the primary reason for such bacteria and parasites.
- You can remove the large parasite physically by using Trichlorfon-based chemicals.
- Add aquarium salt to your guppy fish tank to treat bacterial infections.
- Consult a vet for the proper medication according to the condition of your guppy fish.
We advise you to use API Aquarium salt for the well-being of your goldfish. You can buy it from Amazon API AQUARIUM SALT.
How to prevent our guppy from such Issues?
Ensure these things to prevent your guppy fish from such issues:
- Provide good water conditions to your guppies.
- Ensure adequate and stable water parameters.
- Avoid overcrowding your guppy fish tank.
- Isolate new fish before adding them to your main tank.
Good water condition
Providing good water conditions to your guppy fish will prevent them from such issues.
Ensure performing a weekly water change of at least 35% to keep the water clean.
Consider adding a good filtration system with biofilter media to keep the water clean and safe from harmful toxins like ammonia and nitrite.
We recommend using the Fluval water filter as it will help you keep the water clean and protected from harmful toxins like ammonia and nitrite.
You can buy this product on amazon: Fluval 07 Series Performance Canister Filter.
Also, you can add plenty of live aquatic plants to your guppy fish tank to keep the water clean and ensure enough oxygenation.
Keep a regular check on ammonia level, as it can be the leading reason your guppy turns red.
| Particulars | Guppy Requirement |
|---|---|
| Ammonia | 0ppm |
| Nitrtie | 0ppm |
| Nitrate | Below 25ppm |
Make sure to keep the ammonia and nitrite level at 0ppm and nitrate below 25ppm.
We recommend using the API ammonia test kit as it shows accurate results.
You can buy it from Amazon API TEST KIT.
Adequate and stable water parameters
Provide adequate and stable water parameters to your guppies.
Inadequate water parameters can make your guppy fish suffer from such conditions.
| Particulars | Guppy Fish Requirement |
|---|---|
| Water temperature | 72-82 °F |
| Water pH level | 6.7-7.8 |
| Water TDS level | 400-600ppm |
Provide your guppy fish a water temperature between 72-82 °F.
Ensure to maintain the water pH level between 6.7 and 7.8.
TDS level should be between 400-600ppm.
Also, consider adding a heater to your aquarium to keep the water temperature stable.
We recommend using the Fluval M200 Submersible heater for your tank.
You can buy this product at amazon: Fluval M200 Submersible Heater.
Also read: What Is The Ideal Water Temperature For Guppies?
Avoid overcrowding your guppy fish tank.
An overcrowded tank will come with all these issues:
- Your guppy fish will not be able to live and swim comfortably.
- Your guppy fish tank will get polluted faster than regular.
- There will be a lack of oxygen in your guppy fish tank.
- All of your guppy fish will not get the food regularly.
Also, you must know that beneficial bacteria present in our aquarium require oxygen to break down harmful toxins like ammonia and nitrite.
In the absence of oxygen, beneficial bacteria will not get able to break down such harmful toxins, resulting in a spike of ammonia.
Follow the one-inch one-gallon rule to ensure that you are not overcrowding your guppy fish tank.
The one-inch one-gallon rule means one inch of fish per gallon of water.
Also read: How Many Guppies In A 20 Gallon Tank?
Isolate new fish before adding them to your guppy fish tank.
We never know whether the new fish we buy from the pet store carries any parasites or diseases.
New fish can carry contagious parasites or infections and affect the fish’s health in the main tank.
So, to ensure the safety of the fish in our main tank, we should isolate the new fish in a separate tank for up to 2-3 weeks.
During this time, regularly check on new fish to see if they are suffering from any issues.
You can introduce the new fish once you are sure it is healthy and contains no infections and parasites.
Conclusion:
Ammonia poisoning is the primary reason behind guppy fish having red spots.
However, infection due to bacteria and parasites can also be why guppy fish have red spots.
In both cases, contaminated water condition is the root cause.
Keep your water quality good by performing a 35% weekly water change and adding a good filtration system with biofilter media.
Consult your marine vet when the reason behind such issues is infections.
Reference: ResearchGate, CABI