Help My Platy!

[Alexis]

I have a Mickey Mouse platy, and she's just sitting on the bottom of the tank. She's not on her side or anything, she's just sitting on the bottom of the tank. pH is around 6.4 (has been for weeks now. I think because of plants and the substrate I'm using), ammonia is 0, as are nitrite and nitrate. She's been eating fine.

What could be wrong?! She's never been like this before!

 

[donna123]

hi,
how old is she? has the tank been running long, will she come up for food? can she swim at all?

 

[Alexis]

I've only had her about... just over 3 weeks. I gave her a bit of flake food, and she came up for that. But now she's just gone back down the bottom, and there she stays... she can swim, but... she's not.

 

[donna123]

so she kind of sinks?
it could be a swim bladder problem,

 

[Alexis]

I dunno about sinks... she's just sitting on the bottom of the tank.

If I am freaking out over nothing, then tell me. But I'd prefer to be safe than sorry.

 

[donna123]

hi,
right im not sure then im afraid, if shes still eating thats a good sign but im not sure why shes sitting on the bottom, im sure someone may be able to offer some advice later on. donna.

 

[barryp]

I wonder is it worth keeping her seperated from all the other fish in the tank with a net and feeding her some mushed peas for a few days, that sorted my platy a few months ago.

 

[Alexis]

OK that's OK. Thanks for trying!

But just in case... what's a swim bladder problem? Can anything be done about it?

I wonder is it worth keeping her seperated from all the other fish in the tank with a net and feeding her some mushed peas for a few days, that sorted my platy a few months ago.

OK, I'll try that. I was giving them a mashed pea concoction for a few days last week, and they seemed to like that.

As for separating her, though... I don't have anywhere to put her. I'll try the mashed pea thing and see how that goes.

 

[babybell911]

I dont think that nitrates aremeant to be zero are they? Or is it a good thing?

 

[Alexis]

It's around 0-5. But I have lots of plants in there, so I'm assuming that's what's been taking some of the nitrate. *Shrugs* Anyway, it's been like that for weeks now.

 

[Alexis]

OK, yes my platy sinks. She tries to swim occasionally, but ends up just sinking to the bottom and sitting there. I fed them peas, and she barely ate anything... is there anything I can do?