I Have A Deformed Platy

[DragonLass]

Hi Everyone,
I have had my 4 female platies for a few weeks now, and it wasn't obvious at first but now definately is, that one of them is quite deformed.
She has developed a very prominent arched back, her growth is quite stunted (she is about half the size of the other 3 who are the same age) and her fins are malformed. There are a few other things too, but thats enough to establish that she's just not right.

I am wondering now what I should do with her. At the moment, the other fish are leaving her alone, and most of the time she can be found hanging out by herself in the corner. She still eats, although not with the ravenous appetite of the others, and despite having difficulty swimming because of her malformed fins, she still manages to swim around occasionally.

Will it be ok to leave her in the community tank? (see my signature for her tankmates) Or should I move her to her own tank? I am planning to introduce a male to the tank shortly, but I am thinking that he will probably leave her alone.

 

[Annastasia]

Can you describe the few other things, because it's possible it's a disease. What other fish in the tank, what size tank, and current water params?

However, if she is having trouble swimming, euthanizing her may be the kindest option. The male might start bugging her, or if she gets any weaker, other Platies will sometimes all gang up on her and try to kill her.

 

[Flashfire]

Euthanise her, it is the most humane thing to do.

 

[WILDER]

I would issolate her to be on the safe side.

 

[DragonLass]

Well, I had to euthanize her late last night, she was in all sorts of trouble. At first she was just laying on the bottom of the tank breathing heavily.
Then as I was setting up the hospital tank for her, she did the oddest thing, she actually wedged herself underneath one of the large pieces of gravel. So I thought it better that I end her suffering.

I do suspect there was some sort of bacterial infection involved, she definately had problems with her fins. I have never had a fish with fin rot before so I'm not sure, her fins didn't seem 'cottony' like the pictures i've seen, but they certainly did have problems.
My best guess would be that she had a bacterial infection, due to her deformities and stunted growth she probably had a pretty poor immune system. Oh well, she was a little trooper for trying.

I tested my tank and water conditions were fine, no ammonia or nitrite present. However, when I first got her my tank was not cycled properly, so I would say that was a definate contributor.

All other fish in the tank are very lively and healthy, have checked them all closely for any signs of fraying fins or odd spots and there are none. Of course I will keep a close eye on them over the next couple of weeks. I did a 50% water change as a precaution as well.

If anyone has any advice on anything else that might need doing to the tank as a precaution or any theories on what happened, pleas feel free.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Does sound like bacterial infection/finrot. Sounds like you've done everything right, euthanised, water change, keeping an eye on the others- all you can do really. Shame about the poor little thing, but you did all you could.

Finrot can start as a grey/white spot on a fin or sometimes the fins appear ragged and frayed when you first notice it. There are medications which can work (though in your case it was probably too late).

My platy developed finrot when I first got her and was cured by Interpet anti-bacteria stuff. Now (8 mths later) she's developed it again after a bad pregnancy+other infection, and this time I don't believe I will be able to save her. Have isolated her and am treating, but I think she's too far gone.

 

[DragonLass]

Does sound like bacterial infection/finrot. Sounds like you've done everything right, euthanised, water change, keeping an eye on the others- all you can do really. Shame about the poor little thing, but you did all you could.

Finrot can start as a grey/white spot on a fin or sometimes the fins appear ragged and frayed when you first notice it. There are medications which can work (though in your case it was probably too late).

My platy developed finrot when I first got her and was cured by Interpet anti-bacteria stuff. Now (8 mths later) she's developed it again after a bad pregnancy+other infection, and this time I don't believe I will be able to save her. Have isolated her and am treating, but I think she's too far gone.

Thanks, that makes me feel better that I know I have done everything I can.
This has been a good learning experience for me. There was always something not quite right about her since I brought her home from the lfs, she was always swimming by herself away from the main group.
I probably should have realised then that there was a problem, but since I am new to fish keeping I just thought maybe the others were too aggressive for her. But in fact she probably already had this infection from day 1.
Anyway, it is a good lesson for me to make sure I more carefully inspect the fish I am buying before I leave the LFS, to make sure i am only getting healthy and happy fishies to begin with.