Hovering Platy

[PrairieSunflower]

Well... I seem to be having trouble with my little platy... only.. I don't know what the trouble is!

First of all, my tank is very stable with 0 readings and 10 for nitrates.

I was having a bit of an issue with some of my fish (1 female guppy, 1 neon, 2 platies) flashing. Nothing visible for why they were doing this, water stats remained stable. Upon the advice from a friend, I did a big water change, though bigger than she actually suggested... I changed all the water except the bottom 2 inches leaving that much for the fish to swim in.

SO.... the water change has remedied all the flashing. I've not seen a single flash since (that was yesterday evening). My larger platy, 4 adult female guppies, 2 juvenile female guppies, 1 fry and 16 neon tetras are all fine.

But, my small platy is mostly just hovering around the quite side of the filter. Nothing is visibly wrong with her (no marks, nice scales, perfect color, no clamping, no spots, nothing, perfect in appearance), no issues with harassing, she is eating fine. She comes out to see me in hopes of food each time I look in the tank.

The hovering isn't normal though.... any ideas??

 

[techen]

Fish hover all the time, It's water after all. I wouldn't worry about it, maybe just abit stressed after the massive water change.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

To be honest, mine don't hover. One of my guppies is prone to sticking to quieter corners, but not hovering.

I am sure something is not right with my platy, she is normally very active and forever searching the tank for food.

 

[techen]

To be honest, mine don't hover. One of my guppies is prone to sticking to quieter corners, but not hovering.

I am sure something is not right with my platy, she is normally very active and forever searching the tank for food.

Am 100% sure there's nothing to worry about, So long as you're water levels are okay? Heating at a good temp? etc.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

Water levels are fine, temperature fluctuates between 24-25c.

I can't feel comfortable with this behavior. She is 1) hiding around the filter, 2) hovering... both are not normal behaviors. I don't mind hiding/hovering a little... I mean all the time when I am not right there looking directly in. The moment I walk away she turns around and goes back to hiding/hovering.

I've had her about 2 months now and she has always been active and swims around "searching" for whatever or following my guppies, etc. I know this isn't pregnancy/birthing as she is both too young and a virgin anyway.

 

[msasa19]

one of my platy does this all the time, and he is fine, just hovers above the filter, im sure it is fine

 

[PrairieSunflower]

I was nearly swayed to thinking it was normal, but my platy has resumed flashing again... proving my suspicions that something is wrong... is right... but still... what isn't right?

Why would she be unhappy and flashing if the water stats are good, 0's and 10 nitrate, temperature goes between 24-25, did a big water chance in hopes that it cleared some mysterious thing I can't test for the day before yesterday. No physical signs of what it could be outside of the flashing.

 

[msasa19]

oh, if its flashing it may be a outbreak of ich on the way, ive noticed my platies rubbing on things in the last 24hrs (thats a syptom), so im going to treat for ich to be safe and hope it works.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

This one and a few other were flashing before that big water change. But all other fish have stopped and not resumed. Absolutely no sign (visually) of ich. Not so sure if I should just leap in and treat for ich since I have neon tetras in there.

 

[msasa19]

im going to treat mine, i know its risky and there are no signs of it yet, but it will be so much harder to get rid of it once it appears.....

or maybe i will look at them today, and if they do it today definatly treat tomorrow, i havent seen them do it yet this morning, hope my neons will be ok, only had them a few day

 

[techen]

I wouldn't treat for ich unless there was solid proof it was there. Fish flash sometimes for any reason, Not just for ich.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

What else could cause the flashing? I did the water change the other day (all but 2 inches of it) in hopes that maybe it was particles or something in the water causing it... but clearly the problem is still there.

 

[techen]

What else could cause the flashing? I did the water change the other day (all but 2 inches of it) in hopes that maybe it was particles or something in the water causing it... but clearly the problem is still there.

What dechlorine do you use? Some brands can make fish flash, Maybe look at changing brands possible? If there's no white spots on the fish there's its somewhat unlikey it's ich. It could be the start of ich but I wouldn't know.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

I use Nutrafin, which is the one I have used nearly the entire time I've had fish (except the first month when I bought another that required ridiculously big doses to do the job). I buy it in 2 litre bottles so it will be awhile until I'm finished with it.

 

[techen]

I use Nutrafin, which is the one I have used nearly the entire time I've had fish (except the first month when I bought another that required ridiculously big doses to do the job). I buy it in 2 litre bottles so it will be awhile until I'm finished with it.

Has you're heater got a tiny crack in it? Could make a small shock in the water that would cause a fish to flash. Am shocked there's not many others throwing in ideas.