Ill Platy, Can Anyone Help

[tommo1988]

hi,
My male platy has become ill. The past day or so it has spent most of his time hiding either by the filter of by the plants. It is not eating well and has clear strigy poo. I have done a 20pc water change but theres no change in his behaviour.
Whats wrong and can i treat it?
thanks in advance


Tom

 

[WILDER]

Stats would be good in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph.
Is the fish bloated could be constipation.
For now try some shelled peas on the fish.
Check the anus to see if its enlarged, or red and inflamed.

 

[tommo1988]

I have ordered some testing gear but i am without for the moment,
the fish doesnt look bloated or show any of the symptoms you described but i will try the peas anyway.

Tom

 

[WILDER]

Bad water stats can make fish hide away and flick and rub.
For now take a sample of your tank water in a little bottle or container to the lfs, tell them to write the readings down for you.
Maybe a small water change to see if that helps with not knowing your tank stats.

 

[tommo1988]

the situation has gotten far worse.
Today one of my dalmation mollies died out of the blue, (swimming around fine, 2 hours later dead), the platy still shows the same symptoms however he has got slightly better and seems to swim around occasionally but slightly lethargically and also takes some peices of food. Only problem is has become very thin.
Unfortunatley i havent been able to get to the lfs today and i definately wont be able to tomoro (uni open day in portsmouth, starting marine biology degree this sept although after this they might not let me!!), hopefully my test kit will arrive tomoro.
I will fully inform you of the sequence of events
04/02/2007 Bought tank and let run for 1week and a day using "nutrafin cycle"
12/02/2007 Bought first fish- 3 z.danio 1 female platy
about 4/5 days later 2 z.danio died (i believe after spawning, hence i now have 8 fry)
about a 2 weeks later bought 2 mollies and 1 male platy (not with breeding in mind just random selection)
today mollie dies male platy in bad way

i think the tank must have started/continuing a cycle when i put new fish in (looking back a bad idea) and now must of hit a spike of some sort,
what should i do, all other fish in the tank seem fine but aparantly that doesnt mean anything.
Please help

Tom

 

[tommo1988]

i can post a pic later if needed

tom

 

[Loobie]

Hi Tom

I take it you haven't done a fishless cycle before putting the fish in?? If you haven't, have you been using a test kit to monitor the water stats (I know you've said that the test kit will be arriving tom) is this the first one or another one?? What type is it?

I'm just thinking that you're tank may still be cycling and if your not monitoring the water stats that could be a reason?? Somebody will no doubt tell you different, if they do take their advice, cos I'm still learning too

I think that if your platy is losing weight and not right it could be the sign of an internal bacteria?? Which is a sign of bad quality of water. Again I'm just suggesting things, please don't rush and do anything drastic.

Take Wilders advice when she comes back, she's one of the Gurus on this sort of thing.

 

[WILDER]

Thanks loobie.
If a fish is losing weight when still eating looking at flukes, internal parasites to fish tb.
If the poo is long white and stringy looking more like internal parasites.
There is a med but don't know much about it.

http/www.flubenol.co.uk/

 

[fry_lover]

I recommend the above med, i cant say for CERTAIN yet as only recently used it, but i had a problem and no problem since i used it, but EARLY DAYS

 

[tommo1988]

loobie
" take it you haven't done a fishless cycle before putting the fish in?? If you haven't, have you been using a test kit to monitor the water stats (I know you've said that the test kit will be arriving tom) is this the first one or another one?? What type is it?"
Yes 1st test kit, it is a NUTRAFIN (HAGEN) ESSENTIAL MINI MASTER TEST KIT.
I don't know about a fishless cycle, i just did what the guy at the shop said to do

i think it may be internal parasites, any ideas for med would be good, although i think there must also be a bigger problem with the tank in general, is there anything i can do to if the tank is still cycling or is it just a case of waiting and hoping for the best?

 

[WILDER]

Left you a link to a med.
The problem with internal parasites is that they cause alot of damage to the insides of the fish, sometimes even the med to late.
Once bacterial infections get a grip of the fish they don't usually make it.
Good luck.

 

[tommo1988]

sorry, didnt notice the link, do you know where i can get it? is it in many shops or is it a specialised sort of thing? i would rather buy from a shop to cut down on time as i dont know how long its got left

 

[WILDER]

Never bought the med so don't know.
Contact bloo she used it she might no where to get it from.

 

[Loobie]

Tom

Personally I would be doing small but frequent water changes until you get the meds and test kit. It's a good test kit the one you have bought, post your stats once you have them.

Water changes won't cure them, that's what you need the meds for, but it may make life a little easier for the fish.

Hope it goes well

 

[WILDER]

Here her thread.
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=142441