Fish Problem

[DebraAustin]

I recently got a tiny little dwarf coral sunset platy. I got two at the same time, but one was particluarly small. I've had them two weeks now and the smallest one doesn't look normal. She was never very energetic and has spent most of her time sitting on the bottom of the tank. I just thought it was because she was stressed from the move. However, now she is having problems staying afloat. She spends most of her time sitting in one of the plants and her belly is almost concave instead of full and rounded like most platys. She is eating well and swims around the tank from time to time, so I'm not sure what to do? I had another platy, about a month ago (which I had bought five months ago) develop a swim bladder problem and she subsequently died. This one may have the same problem, but is still very active and eating. The biggest thing is she looks deformed on the bottom of her body. None of the other fish show any signs of any problems, even though they have been in the tank for the entire time the other fish was sick and since. I only have the one tank at present, although I am looking at buying a larger tank in the near future and will have this smaller tank for a hospital. Any suggestions on what might be the problem? Is this a disease or possiblu a birth defect? My stats are always fine. I do weekly water changes and feed them a small amount one time a day. Temp has run a little high due to extreme heat here, but doesn't vary more than 2-3 degrees in a day. I'm worried about Bubbles (named because she likes to sit with her nose in the aerator stream).

Debra

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Wasting away is often a sign or either internal bacteria or internal parasites. Is the platys poop white/stringy and does its anus look red/inflamed at all?

The biggest thing is she looks deformed on the bottom of her body.
Debra

Can you describe how exactly the fish looks deformed?

 

[DebraAustin]

Wasting away is often a sign or either internal bacteria or internal parasites. Is the platys poop white/stringy and does its anus look red/inflamed at all?

The biggest thing is she looks deformed on the bottom of her body.
Debra

Can you describe how exactly the fish looks deformed?

It doesn't look like wasting away, but I am concerned about bacteria and parasites, because of the other fish I lost. However, I haven't seen this ones poo in a couple days and then it looked normal, but like she was a little constipated. But I've found all my new fish to be constipated. I think from the stress. Then after about a week they get normalized.

About the deformity. You know how platys usually have round little tummys. Well her's is sort of curving back toward her spine, not round at all, very flat. Almost concave looking. She was very skinny when I got her and just thought she would plump up as she got bigger. Again, just like the last fish I don't see any visible signs of illness. Her anus looks fine. Wish I had my new tank up and running. Almost bought it the other day and may go back and get it this weekend. That won't help with this problem, but at least I'll have a hospital/quarantine tank in the future.

When I do get it how long should I quarantine a fish before introducing it to the clan?

If it is a parasite or bacteria, what can I do to keep it from spreading? I have several meds and fed the parasite one to the group today. Didn't see Bubbles actually eat any of it, although all the other fish did, so I can hope it won't spread. Haven't used the bacteria med, yet. Do you think I should?

What kind of life cycle do parasites and bacteria have? What can I do to interrupt that cycle? I change about 30% of the water weekly when I do vacuuming. I pull all the rocks and other things out about once a month and give them a good scrubbing (which I just did this past Tuesday). I won't be introducing any more new fish until I get the new tank and then it will be after they have spent their time in quarantine. It is just that the platy I had left was acting really paranoid, so I went and got her some buddies. The other new one is doing great and starting to get big enough that Beezus will swim with her sometimes.

I know things will be better for all my fish once I have my larger tank and can get them into full schools. Everything was going great until Ramona died. This is getting troublesome and I would like to nip it in the bud.

Thanks for your help,

Debra

 

[TF Keeper UK]

The concave belly is def not normal! Possible sign of a bacterial infection, though i'm no expert compared to Tokis-Phoenix et al!

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Another member here had an experience with internal parasites (link contains pics) and treated the fish successfully with the med levamisole;

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...tes++levamisole

Internal bacteria can also cause skinny stomaches on fish amoungst other symptoms. Does your platys case look similar to Bloo's botia's case?

 

[DebraAustin]

Another member here had an experience with internal parasites (link contains pics) and treated the fish successfully with the med levamisole;

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...tes++levamisole

Internal bacteria can also cause skinny stomaches on fish amoungst other symptoms. Does your platys case look similar to Bloo's botia's case?

I do think it does look similar. I have some bacterial medication so I guess I'll add that to the tank. I'll have to call around and see if any of the fish stores actually carry Levamisole. I don't remember seeing it, but that doesn't mean it wasn't there.

Thanks for the link. I seem to draw blanks when I do searches.

Debra

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Another member here had an experience with internal parasites (link contains pics) and treated the fish successfully with the med levamisole;

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...tes++levamisole

Internal bacteria can also cause skinny stomaches on fish amoungst other symptoms. Does your platys case look similar to Bloo's botia's case?

I do think it does look similar. I have some bacterial medication so I guess I'll add that to the tank. I'll have to call around and see if any of the fish stores actually carry Levamisole. I don't remember seeing it, but that doesn't mean it wasn't there.

Thanks for the link. I seem to draw blanks when I do searches.

Debra

Levamisole is primarily used as a cattle wormer, so you will need to obtain it from a vet (thats what i did when i treated my fish for internal parasites), it is harmless to fish but will kill off any internal parasites they may be harboring inside them- it is one of the best anti internal parasite meds out there for treating fish with as most of the few internal parasite meds already sold for fish simply aren't strong enough.
Its best to have a carbon sponge at hand so you can put t in your filter after you have finished treating the fish as it will help remove the meds from the water over a day or two.
"Anti internal bacteria" by Interpet is a good anti internal bacterial med for fish, you should be able to get it at your lfs .

 

[blackguppy]

On the brighter side of all of this. I just went through the same thing with a female of the same variety, and after over a month of tender loving care, she's back to big and healthy.

 

[DebraAustin]

On the brighter side of all of this. I just went through the same thing with a female of the same variety, and after over a month of tender loving care, she's back to big and healthy.

What TLC did you give her? Mine is still alive and quite active. Eating well and swimming around several times a day, but she doesn't look any better. Did you use meds and if so what kind? Anything else?

Debra

 

[DebraAustin]

Well I think I've decided that I got a deformed fish. She is still very much alive, eating well, comes up to the window every single time I check on her. She seems happy and fairly active. She is not going downhill at all and it has been a week now. I will continue to medicate her for another week, but after that if I don't see any improvements I will see how she does on her own. I think it is sort of like having a child born with a deformity. So I will treat her like my special needs fish and see how she does. She has established a routine that seems to work very well for her, so I can't in any way see euthenizing her. She has adapted well to her limitations and I will honor that and do what I can to help her have the best life she can. At least she is living in a tank instead of in the wild, where she would have been eliminated very quickly by a predator.

Debra