Hello

[heatherg2806]

Hello All

my partner and I set up a 40L tank in early January and have gradually added tropicals for a general type of aquarium. We have some male guppies, some harliquin tetra, some cardinal tetra, a catfish, an algae eater (who is now surprisingly big!) and a couple of adult platys plus young. I have just released two young fish from a nursery box into the main tank - I think these are baby platys, but they were a total surpise when I found them in the tank! These are now happy and in no danger of being eaten by their tank mates.
Last Friday I noticed that 'Mummy' platy had become thin, and surprise, surprise lots of fry in the tank. I have rescued most and put in a breeder net (tried a box first but they fell through the slots in the bottom back into the main tank) these are now growing quickly. I am a little worried by 'Mummy'. Toward the end of the pregnancy she began swimming in a sort of tail heavy fashion. I put this down to being heavy with babies and thought it would go once she delivered. She's still doing it however. Swimming seems to be hard work for her - although she is getting to food and doesn't seem otherwise distressed.
Anyone know what is wrong or whether I am concerned over nothing?

Not quite sure yet how we are going to address the future overcrowding issue if all the babies survive - may have to get a single tank and seperate males and females I guess, to stop inbreeding?

Any and all advice gratefully received.

 

[fluttermoth]

Hi there, heather, to the forum.

Without a few more details it's impossible to say exactly what's wrong with your fish. Most fish 'diseases' though are caused by poor water quality, so you should do a big (and I mean at least 75%) water change, using warmed, dechlorinated water of course and see if she shows signs of improvement.

I'm sorry to say you have far too many fish for a 40l tank. The 'catfish' and the 'algae eater' for instance could be any one of a number of species, many of which are social and many of which grow very big; some up to two feet long!

If you could upload some pics to Photobucket or Flickr and paste the IMG code into your post someone will be able to identify them for you, but they may very well need rehoming to a bigger tank.

It would be a good idea to get your water tested for ammonia, nitrite and possibly nitrate as well, either by your LFS (local fish shop) or buying yourself the test kits, if you can. If you do get your local shop to test it, make sure they write down the actual numbers for you; not just say, "it's fine", or, "a bit high", as that's really of no help to us.

Best of luck