My red platy who I've owned for over a year is swimming on his side on the surface. If I give him a nudge he makes some effort but within a few seconds he's back on top. This is very sudden and I didn't notice anything wrong with him yesterday.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what's happening and most importantly what I can do. Obviously my LFS is shut now and the best I can do is go first thing tomorrow and hopefully treat him by lunch time.

Any help is very very appreciated.

Thanks, Andy

well this could be it i hav been fishing for quite a while and wen a fish gets hit on thhe head or something it may cause brain damage so hav u droped it or something

How many gallons is the tank.
How many fish and which type.
Water stats in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph.
Swimming to oneside can be bacterial to internal parasites.
Does the fish look bloated.
Can he maintain his balance in the water.
Does he look pale or darker in colour.
Is he acting lethagic or listless.

The fish hasn't been dropped, haven't taken him out of the tank for months. It's a 125 litre community tank. One male Pearl Gourami, 6 Black Skirt Tetreas, 2 male guppies, 2 young female BN plecs and 7 amano shrimp.

the fish has been 100% fine until now. No discolouration and no bloatedness. Water stats are usual, pH bang on 7, all other stats close to zero. The water is very hard, but always has been. ALl the other fish are acting normally.

Thanks

Watch out for when the fish goes to the toilet.
Check the anus of the fish to see if its enlarged or red and inflamed.

i had a look, unfortunately he wasn't going to the toilet. but it looked normal to me. he did try to swim downwards and did quite well. but he was clearly struggling. do you thin some medication for a swim bladder infection could help?

Cook some frozen peas for a few minutes let cool down, pop out of shell and mush into small peices and add to the tank.
Look under swim bladder.
http://www.fish-disease.net/diseases.htm