Hi
Tank size: 24L (5.27 gallons, or 6.34 US gallons)
pH: 8.1 (API master test kit)
ammonia: 0.25
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 5
kH: between 15 and 20 (6 in 1 test strip)
gH: 16 (6 in 1 test strip)
tank temp: 24
Cl: 0
Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior):
My daughter has a small tank with some platy fish. One has lost weight, spends a lot of time sitting at the bottom of the tank. Swims for food but doesn't seem to find it as easily as before. Most of the time it curls around when it is sat down and sometimes when it swims. It mostly curls to one side of its body but sometimes it does curl the other way instead. By curls I mean as if it were trying to look at its tail. Sometimes when it goes to sit down it moves around in a circle in the way that a dog or cat sometimes do to fit in a small spot!
Sometimes it curls to its side and 'judders' (shakes), it's got progressively noticeable over the last few weeks. It doesn't swim as well as it used to, it looks an effort.
There are no noticeable marks, injuries, spots or red patches. No worms attached that we can see.
I really feel that the fish will continue to deteriorate slowly and eventually die, but really want to know what the problem is and treat if we can.
Platy is about 5 months old, female, not pregnant.
It has got some dark spots (or small patches) on its top fin that it didn't have when it was younger. They don't appear to be sitting on the fin but are part of it.
Weekly water changes, of 50% or more.
We have been using 'Love Fish' tap safe (Pets at Home own brand), until recently we ran out and now use API stress coat+.
Two days ago I dosed with King British Disease Clear.
In the past occasionally, but not within the last month, we have used 'Love Fish' Filter Boost, and Seachem Replenish.
Sponge? filter (not carbon).
Tank inhabitants:
5 little platys, all born in the tank. 3 are about 5 months, 2 are about 4 months. The mother and some other babies since died. All female.
No recent additions.
Exposure to chemicals:
Only ones already mentioned.
They are fed Aquarian Complete flakes, occasionally green stuff. We have tried the process with peas to help their digestion but it hasn't made any difference.
Please can anyone tell me what might be wrong? If I need to treat them I need products I can get in the UK and hopefully not too expensive as its such a small tank we won't use much.
Digital photo (include if possible):
Sorry about the poor quality of pictures
Thank you.
EDIT: To correct the GH and KH readings.
Tank size: 24L (5.27 gallons, or 6.34 US gallons)
pH: 8.1 (API master test kit)
ammonia: 0.25
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 5
kH: between 15 and 20 (6 in 1 test strip)
gH: 16 (6 in 1 test strip)
tank temp: 24
Cl: 0
Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior):
My daughter has a small tank with some platy fish. One has lost weight, spends a lot of time sitting at the bottom of the tank. Swims for food but doesn't seem to find it as easily as before. Most of the time it curls around when it is sat down and sometimes when it swims. It mostly curls to one side of its body but sometimes it does curl the other way instead. By curls I mean as if it were trying to look at its tail. Sometimes when it goes to sit down it moves around in a circle in the way that a dog or cat sometimes do to fit in a small spot!
Sometimes it curls to its side and 'judders' (shakes), it's got progressively noticeable over the last few weeks. It doesn't swim as well as it used to, it looks an effort.
There are no noticeable marks, injuries, spots or red patches. No worms attached that we can see.
I really feel that the fish will continue to deteriorate slowly and eventually die, but really want to know what the problem is and treat if we can.
Platy is about 5 months old, female, not pregnant.
It has got some dark spots (or small patches) on its top fin that it didn't have when it was younger. They don't appear to be sitting on the fin but are part of it.
Weekly water changes, of 50% or more.
We have been using 'Love Fish' tap safe (Pets at Home own brand), until recently we ran out and now use API stress coat+.
Two days ago I dosed with King British Disease Clear.
In the past occasionally, but not within the last month, we have used 'Love Fish' Filter Boost, and Seachem Replenish.
Sponge? filter (not carbon).
Tank inhabitants:
5 little platys, all born in the tank. 3 are about 5 months, 2 are about 4 months. The mother and some other babies since died. All female.
No recent additions.
Exposure to chemicals:
Only ones already mentioned.
They are fed Aquarian Complete flakes, occasionally green stuff. We have tried the process with peas to help their digestion but it hasn't made any difference.
Please can anyone tell me what might be wrong? If I need to treat them I need products I can get in the UK and hopefully not too expensive as its such a small tank we won't use much.
Digital photo (include if possible):
Sorry about the poor quality of pictures
Thank you.
EDIT: To correct the GH and KH readings.
Last edited:
