Guppies are the most common and easy-to-take care fish that aquarist loves to add to their aquarium. However, behavior like rubbing against rocks is something that can worry us.
There can be various factors that we will discuss in this article that explain why guppy is rubbing against the rocks. So, Why is my guppy rubbing against the rocks? Let us find out.
External parasites like ich are the primary reason for guppy fish rubbing against the rocks. However, other reasons are poor water quality, injury, and stress. Isolate new fish for four to five weeks and ensure good quality water to prevent your guppies from parasites and issues.
This article will discuss the reasons and prevention for guppy fish rubbing against the rock. So, let us get into it.
Contents
My guppy fish is rubbing against the rocks.
There can be various reasons behind guppy fish rubbing against the rocks.
External parasites like ich and poor water quality are the primary reasons.
Stress can also be the reason behind such behavior of guppy fish.
Rubbing against rocks is normal in guppies until and unless it is in a regular manner.
So, take immediate action when you notice your guppy fish regularly rubbing against rocks. The reason behind that can make your guppy fish come into critical condition and even they can pass away.
Also read: Why Is My Guppy Rubbing Against Gravel?
Is it normal for your guppy fish to rub against the rocks?
It is normal for your guppy fish to rub against the rocks until it becomes in a regular manner.
It is a concern if your guppy fish is constantly rubbing against rocks.
Your guppy fish may be suffering from a disease like ich, or they are under stress.
Necessary action is required in such a situation as your guppy fish can suffer from a critical condition or even can pass away if not treated.
What are the reasons for guppy fish rubbing against the rocks?
These are the reasons behind your guppy fish rubbing against the rocks:
- Your guppy fish is suffering from external parasites like ich.
- The water quality of your guppies tank is poor.
- Your guppy fish is under stress.
- Your guppy fish is suffering from injury.
External parasites
External parasites like white spot disease can be the reason behind guppy fish rubbing against the rocks.
Whit spot diseases, also known as ich, will cause itching in your guppies, making them rub against the rocks.
White spot disease usually occurs when we add new fish, decors, and invertebrates to our tank without isolating them for a few weeks.
Such parasites can also develop when the water quality of your guppy’s aquarium is poor.Â
Other parasites, like fish lice and gill fluke, cause itching in your guppies, and they will rub against the rocks.
Also read: How To Cure Guppy Ich?
Poor water quality
Poor water quality can also be the root cause behind your guppies rubbing against rocks.
Contaminated water results in a spike of ammonia in your guppy’s aquarium water, elevating the pH level of the water.
A low pH level makes the water highly acidic, affecting your guppies’ gills, which will rub against the rocks.
Contaminated water will also result in a lack of oxygen in your guppy’s tank, making them gasp for the air at the water’s surface.
Poor water quality can make your guppy fish suffer from a life-threatening condition, and even they can pass away.
Stress
Stress can also be the reason behind such behavior in your guppy fish.
Guppies’ primary reason for stress is poor water quality and aggressive tankmates.
Other reasons that can make your guppies come under stress are:
- Inadequate water parameters
- Unstable water parameters
- Illness
- Injury
- Overcrowded tank
- Lack of hiding spots
- Pregnancy in female guppies
- Irregular supply of food
You must know that guppy fish, being under stress for a long time, can become critical and prone to various diseases and parasites.
Also read: What To Do If My Guppy Is Stressed?
Injury
Physical injury can also make your guppy fish rub against the rocks.
Any physical injury which is causing itching to your guppy fish will result in guppy fish rubbing against the rocks.
Usually, chasing and nipping by aggressive tankmates causes physical injury to guppies.
Such injury will also make your guppy fish come under stress and suffering.
How to prevent our guppy fish from such issues?
Do these things to prevent your guppy fish from such issues:
- Provide your guppies with good-quality water.
- Ensure adequate and stable water parameters of your guppy fish tank.
- Consider isolating new fish and invertebrates before adding them to your guppy’s aquarium.
- Wash all the tank decor items before adding them to your guppies tank.
Good quality water
Ensuring good water quality will prevent your guppies from such issues.
Perform a weekly water change of at least 35% of your guppies tank.
Make sure to treat the water using a water conditioner to dechlorinate it.
We recommend using the API water conditioner to treat the water, as it will help you eliminate chlorine, chloramine, ammonia, nitrite, and heavy metals from the water.
You can buy this product on amazon: API TAP WATER CONDITIONER.
Consider adding a good filtration system with biofilter media to keep your guppy’s aquarium clean and away from harmful chemicals like ammonia.
You can consider using a Fluval high-performance aquarium filter for your tank, as it will ensure that your water is clean and protected from harmful toxins like ammonia and nitrite.
You can buy this product at amazon: Fluval High-Performance Aquarium Filter.
You can also add lots of live aquatic plants to your guppy’s aquarium.
Aquatic plants will help you clean the water and increase oxygen levels.
Regularly check ammonia and nitrite levels and ensure that both ammonia and nitrite remain at 0 ppm.
We recommend using the API freshwater master test kit to check the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH level of your fish tank, as it shows an accurate result.
You can buy it from amazon: API FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT.
Adequate and stable water parameters.
Provide your guppies with adequate and stable water parameters to prevent such rubbing issues.
Guppies are tropical fish and prefer to live in warmer water.
| Particulars | Guppy Fish Requirement |
|---|---|
| Water temperature | 72-82 |
| Water pH level | 6.7-7.8 |
Provide your guppy with a water temperature between 72-82 °F.
Consider adding a heater to your guppy fish tank to ensure stable water temperature.
We recommend using the Fluval M200 Submersible heater for your tank.
You can buy this product at amazon: Fluval M200 Submersible Heater.
Guppy fish require a water pH level between 6.7-7.8.
Also read: What Is The Ideal Water Temperature For Guppies?
Isolate new fish and invertebrates.
Always make sure to isolate your new fish and invertebrates for four to five weeks in another tank before adding them to your home aquarium.
Adding them directly to your home aquarium will increase the possibility of diseases and parasites like ich in your aquarium.
New fish and invertebrates can carry various contagious diseases and parasites.
Isolating them will give you time to detect the fish if they suffer from any issues.Â
Wash the decors
Wash all the tank decor before adding them to your guppy’s aquarium.
Such decor can contain harmful chemicals which will pollute the water.
Washing them before adding them to your guppy’s aquarium will eliminate the harmful chemicals.
Conclusion:
Guppy can rub against the rocks for many reasons, of which the primary reason is poor water quality and external parasites.
Other reasons are stress, inadequate and unstable water parameters, and injury.
Ensure good water quality and isolate new fish to prevent your guppy fish from such issues.
Reference: SRAC, Britannica