livebearers rubbing, but no spots

[RedBeard79]

i have a 20 gal tank 2 platies 3 swords, 2 angels, 3 dwarf plecos.
the platies and swords swim quickly towards the plants in the tank and then flick themselves off. i have read that this is a symptom of velvet and ich but so far none of the fish have any spots on them. i have read that it could also be flukes but the only other symptom for that seems to be that the fish deepen in color. the rubbing has been going on for a week or so. on the advice of a medic at a local aquarium store i used Aquarisol. i followed the directions but i could not raise the temperature in the tank to the stated 85 degrees.

the nitrates and amonia levels are 0ppm the Ph is 7.0-7.2, but the Gh is at about 8drops , so slightly high. could hard water be doing this?

the fish still are scratching, but i noticed that they rub againt the plants but not the wood or rocks in the tank.

also -only the platies and swords seem to be suffering.

i think whatever this is came along with the platies that i got from a store i had never been to before. next time i think i'll just stick to my regular place.

thanks, in advance

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

hmm...
How often on a genural basis do your fish scratch themselves?
The darkening in color can be a symtom of internal bacteria, but i wouldn't have thought i would be related to the scratching.
Never heard of Aquarisol, have you been using any other meds recently or adding anything to the water like salt or boosters of some sort?

Your fish are quite hardy and can happily live in water hardness/ph that isn't totally perfect for them and it is unlikely it is the cause of the scratching.

Are you positive you are adding the right amount of dechlorinator to the tank?
Have you sprayed any room sprays/deodrants near the tank or other cleaning chemicals or had your hands in contact with any such things and then put them in your tank?

I would avoid using any meds for the mean time until the problem is fully diagnosed; using the wrong meds can cause complication and unesarsary stress for fish or prevent you from using other meds etc.

Can you spot any other symtoms like white/stringy poo from your fish(gross i know)?

 

[WILDER]

Can you post water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph, to make sure it isn't water quality causing them to do this, gill flukes red inflamed gills, or pale, heavy breathing flicking and rubbing against objects, darkening in clour also can indicate an internal bacteria infection, if you have no sclaess fish you could try turning the temp up and adding some salt to the tank.

 

[Def]

If they are doing it a lot, something is irritating them. If they are doing it occasionally then don't worry about it. Mine do it too, especially if they're "full" after eating too much.

 

[Snowbrumby]

Hi, half of my Guppies have been doing that. It was quite noticable this morning so tested the water and it was 0 and 0. I don't have a test for the 3rd chemical. The tank wasn't due for a water change but I did a 30% water change anyway and they have settled down again now.
So maybe try a particial water change?