Concerned About Blue Platy

[thalie]

I just bought a 10-gal fish tank for my son a couple of weeks ago (2 weeks tomorrow). I've never kept Tropical fish before, so this is all a bit of a new experience for me, despite the fact that I have had goldfish as a kid. Anyway. On to my problem.

I dechlorinated the water, conditioned it, let everything settle for 24 hours before I put the fish in. I started off with 3 tetras and a pair of platy's. Within a few days, the overeager child had overfed the fish and 2 of the tetras died.

The Platys and the remaining Tetra were fine for a week or so, and now one of the Platy's (the blue "mickeymouse" one) is showing signs of being "sick". It is staying towards the bottom of the tank, and is not moving much. The fish seems to prefer to be in a small space beside (and slightly under) a piece of the terrain. The other Platy swims around and seems to be full of life. I haven't noticed any colour changes in the fish itself, just the basic change in "activity level", so I'm slightly concerned.

I'll try and grab a picture of it later. Any thoughts?

 

[Tolak]

Your tank hasn't cycled yet more than likely. Check out http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=141944

Posting the results of water tests will help as well, this is something that is needed to diagnose the problem. Your lfs can do this for you if you don't have a test kit.

 

[thalie]

Okay - I need to go grab a water testing kit then, and maybe a few live plants. LFS was adamant that a day was enough time for the aquarium to "settle" and that the Platys would be okay to help establish the bacteria... grrr...

 

[xoedusk]

Don't think the live plants will help. Do daily water changes to keep the ammonia and nitrite down. 30% daily. Be sure to de-chlorinate the water too. Keep the fish food locked up or out of reach.

 

[thalie]

Just an update on this one - I'm not sure just why she was lying around the bottom of the tank but she seems to be moving around more and generally looking alive. Encouraging, for sure.

Water conditions, basically I'm in the middle of a cycle and water conditions are starting to improve. Ammonia is near to zero, and nitrites are starting to decline. Around 5 mg/L of Nitrates currently.

LFS was adamant that I shouldn't change the water, that I should just ride it out.

Aaanyway. The cute Blue Platy (son named her "Blue", of course) is improving. TY for the help!