mickey mouse platys

[poohbear]

Hiya,
a few weeks ago I got a fish tank (I used to breed kribs years ago).
I filled it let it settle for a couple weeks before adding fish.
I added 5 neon tetras then a week later 2 kribs and a week later 2 mickey mouse platys.
I dont know anything about mickey mouse platys but as my son with add is addicted to mickey mouse he made me buy them.
Anyway all the fish have settled well but one of the mickey mouse platys keeps hiding at the top of the filter.
I left the lights off for 24 hours but it still wont come out.
Does anyone have any ideas whats wrong and what I can do.
The tank has loads of hiding places and Im at a loss never seen this before.
Thanks for your help

 

[themikestro]

One of my Swordtails has been doing a similar thing and then started showing the symptoms of Dropsy, normally it is very active but for a while now it has been lurking above the filter lokking like a fat pine cone. If this is the case you need to keep a close eye on it so that it can be treated promptly if needs be.

Of course it might not be this! The good news is if it is, commercial treatment seem very good at controlling Dropsy, and my fish is looking much happier!

 

[poohbear]

ok I just saw it come out its swimming fine but the other platy chased it back in again and is hanging around the filter now.
still dont know whats wrong but gonna keep an eye on them and make sure its eating.

 

[fishluver]

I take the bully and put it in a breeder net for a day, over night works better for me. Put it back in the tank and it has seemed to work for me. Make sure the hiding has stopped and she is swimming around freely before letting the other back into the tank.

 

[Liliano]

I have a mickey mouse platy and mine does the same, it hides at the top by the filter. I also have a bully of a male who constantly chases her. After about 3-4 days she came out more often and is feeding well so I think she will be ok

I am going to put my bully in a breeding net though and see if I can calm him down, Failing that I'll have to buy another male to keep him in check.

Saying all that my mickey mouse platy is getting a big plump, as she is definately not constipated I will check tonight for dropsy, gonna get some medicine too just in case.

 

[fishluver]

what do u use for dropsy?...I always heard that there is no cure... The problem I ran into is not knowing if it is dropsy or fry making them fat. I had 2 molly's die for no reason that i could see. One looked like it had to use it's whole body to swim in one place... but no signs of nothing.

 

[Liliano]

If its dropsy the scales will be protuding outwards having a spiky effect.
Anti Internal Bacteria treatment (available from pets at home £3.99) will treat dropsy as well as Popeye and sores so its well worth having on the shelf at home.

 

[fishluver]

Oh yea, like a pine cone..I read that somewhere...Thanks

 

[poohbear]

ok I bought a breeding net and put the bully in there and now the other one is staying at the side of the net most of the time.
She also looks a bit bloated so Im looking into what can make her bloated and I can then treat her.