Clamped Fins & Flashing

[slimeneo]

One of my platys is flashing and clamping.. I noticed the flashing maybe a week ago, but it was not too alarming since she wasn't clamping then- and I had done a water change prior, so I thought it was just because of the water change.

She's swimming weirdly, sort of floating and swimming away, then floating, swims away and flashes on the gravel... etc. Here's a video that shows it all:
http/db.tt/l2sUcqSh
(sorry, I don't think I can embed it)

amm 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 10ppm
pH 8.2, temp 75F
The only change recently is turning off the air pump, because I figure that's what's causing algae in my tank and my filter should be enough to oxygenate the water. otherwise nothing has really changed.

I did a water change on thursday, vacuumed gravel and all.
I use tetra brand dechlorinator.
10gal tank with 4 platys and 2 gold barbs.

The tank has been fully cycled for ~5 months now, I did a fish-in cycle but the fish that is flashing was NOT one of the fish that endured the ammonia levels. she and her sister (who is pregnant) were newcomers, and I've had them for ~1.5 months now. At first she was very aggressive, and still is sometimes, charging at all the fish that came near her, but she has calmed down a bit now.

Should I separate her? I don't have another tank, but could I put her in my water change bucket with just an air pump?

Thanks so much!

 

[slimeneo]

Nevermind, oddly when removed a small plant debris she perked up....

 

[WILDER]

I would still keep a close eye on her.
Has she stopped flashing, swimming in an odd manor, are her fins still clamped?

 

[slimeneo]

Yes, she's stopped flashing and swimming weirdly. She's not clamping anymore. Pretty weird...... I did see some flashing from other platys yesterday, but they weren't constant and weren't swimming oddly either (or clamping). I haven't seen anymore weird behaviors today. So hopefully they just had an itch... or something..

 

[WILDER]

Thank you for the update.

 

[slimeneo]

No problem thanks for replying

I just watched her flash again, no more clamping or weird swimming, but flashing 5-6 times within a minute, but then after maybe 2-3 minutes she stopped. She always flashes on 2 of the larger leafed plants (which are non-aquatic.. I think if that makes a diff?)I'll be taking the plant(s) out, which sort of sucks because I know one of my platys sleeps on the leaf AND I paid $6 for it! ~_~ petco needs to stop selling non-aquatic plants as aquatic.

but anyhow, could that be why they are flashing? Amm levels are 0 though, so not sure how the plant would affect them
(also I saw another platy flash, but not as much as the other who flashed 5-6 times/min)

 

[WILDER]

Check all the fish for tiny white spots?
Do any fish look like there been sprinkled in salt?
Check fish for a gold dusting, tiny yellow spots, velvet brown texture on fish.
Rusty coloured varnish.
Check fish for a greyish film on body or fins.
Any trialing mucas on body or fins.
Check the gills to see if they look pale with excess slime, red and inflamed.
Does the fish shimmer, or swim in a jerky movement?
Any excess slime on fins, body?
Check all fish for red sores, or tiny red pin prick marks.
Check fish for a bluish, grey film on there bodies.

 

[Proud Pastry]

My guppies have been flashing a little bit as well (not constantly), and my platies have been clamping their fins also.
I've checked them for all of the signs listed above, and they don't have any of that... I've also been changing the water everyday (due to a rise in ammonia) and I purchased a live ammonia reader to be on the safe side, so their water is clean. (Tests all came out okay )
Would there be any other reason for clamping and flashing?

 

[Proud Pastry]

Sorry to post again, but I wanted to add that one of my platys will also bang into rocks sometimes... I'm not sure why Will they do that if they get scared? Because she did it right as a came close to the tank as if I startled her.
One thing I have noticed though is that my two blue platies have been having white thin poops (other fishes poop has been healthy), should I feed them some peas? (would it be okay to feed the other fish peas too since I don't have a hospital tank?)

 

[WILDER]

Do any of your fish look thin. Sunken in bellys?
Check the anus of all your fish to see if it looks enlarged, or red and inflamed?

Yes I would try some peas.

What the brand name of the test kit you are using please?
Fish will clamp there fins, flick and rub, when there is a slight ammonia, or nitrite reading,

 

[Proud Pastry]

Do any of your fish look thin. Sunken in bellys?
Check the anus of all your fish to see if it looks enlarged, or red and inflamed?

Yes I would try some peas.

What the brand name of the test kit you are using please?
Fish will clamp there fins, flick and rub, when there is a slight ammonia, or nitrite reading,

Nope, my fish look the same as usual. I must have stared at them for about half an hour this morning just checking over their bodies and fins, but I didn't see any signs of velvet, ich, etc. They must be flicking or rubbing because of the slight ammonia.. I'll keep up the water changes. (I got some bad advice from the woman at the pet store so now there is ammonia in my tank... )

I don't believe their anuses are enlarged, I don't see any redness or inflammation. One of them has a very very small white bump where her anus is though. She's never flicked and her poop is normal.

I used a test strip kit which I know isn't the best, so today I'm going to pick up a master kit : )

Will my fish be okay? D:

I also hope that your problem gets solved really soon slimeneo!

 

[WILDER]

How many gallons is your tank please?
How many fish and which type?

The white bump near the fish anus. Does it look hard, or soft like filled with fluid?
Any redness to the bump, or pink areas?
Does the lump look smooth in appearance?

Proud Pastry, it would be better if you could start a thread on your own.
As it can get confusing answering 2 posters on the same thread.

 

[Proud Pastry]

How many gallons is your tank please?
How many fish and which type?

The white bump near the fish anus. Does it look hard, or soft like filled with fluid?
Any redness to the bump, or pink areas?
Does the lump look smooth in appearance?

Proud Pastry, it would be better if you could start a thread on your own.
As it can get confusing answering 2 posters on the same thread.

Alrighty I'll start my own thread, I just wasn't sure if I should because I know some forums don't like having 2 of the same type of thread.
I have a 10 gallon tank with 4 male fancy guppies and 4 female platies.
To answer your questions though, I'm not sure about the bump, it's very very tiny and sometimes I can't even see it.
There is no redness or pink areas and it is smooth.