EricaFairleigh
New Member
Afternoon everyone 
I have a 20L tank which contains 1 male and 1 female platy and 3 platy fry. I have had the adult fish for approximately 3 months and the fry are now around 1 month old.
I purchased a new, better quality heater two days ago as it has become very cold where I live, and the other heater was not strong enough to sustain the temperature. I have the thermostat set to 26 degreesC.
Since a few hours after putting the new heater in the tank, both of my adult plates have become very inactive. The male is sitting at the back on the tank on the ground, and the female swims around for a while but returns to staying in one spot at the top of the tank. At feeding time, they become active and feed as usual, but then return to being very still (appearing dead
) The fry are all active and well, and haven't changed at all.
I completed a water test yesterday and the results were as follows.
pH: 7.2
High Range PH: 7.4
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 40-80ppm (Hard to tell)
Tank was correctly cycled prior to putting fish in, and their appearance has not change in any way since they've become inactive.
I also did a 25% water change yesterday, and do this weekly, treating the water with a water safe de-chlorinator, but today they still are acting the same way.
I'm pretty stumped as to what could be wrong! I know the nitrates are too high, but the baby fish are fine (I thought they would be the first to go)
So,
Is the water quality the problem? If so, how do I fix it?
Are they sick?
Are they getting used to the new heater?
Or
Is it normal behaviour for platies to remain still for days at a time?
Please help me! These fish are my children! I lost one from old age a few months ago and was so devastated, I don't want to lose anymore!
Thanks in advance for any help!
Erica
I have a 20L tank which contains 1 male and 1 female platy and 3 platy fry. I have had the adult fish for approximately 3 months and the fry are now around 1 month old.
I purchased a new, better quality heater two days ago as it has become very cold where I live, and the other heater was not strong enough to sustain the temperature. I have the thermostat set to 26 degreesC.
Since a few hours after putting the new heater in the tank, both of my adult plates have become very inactive. The male is sitting at the back on the tank on the ground, and the female swims around for a while but returns to staying in one spot at the top of the tank. At feeding time, they become active and feed as usual, but then return to being very still (appearing dead

I completed a water test yesterday and the results were as follows.
pH: 7.2
High Range PH: 7.4
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 40-80ppm (Hard to tell)
Tank was correctly cycled prior to putting fish in, and their appearance has not change in any way since they've become inactive.
I also did a 25% water change yesterday, and do this weekly, treating the water with a water safe de-chlorinator, but today they still are acting the same way.
I'm pretty stumped as to what could be wrong! I know the nitrates are too high, but the baby fish are fine (I thought they would be the first to go)
So,
Is the water quality the problem? If so, how do I fix it?
Are they sick?
Are they getting used to the new heater?
Or
Is it normal behaviour for platies to remain still for days at a time?
Please help me! These fish are my children! I lost one from old age a few months ago and was so devastated, I don't want to lose anymore!
Thanks in advance for any help!
Erica