My Female Platy Is Acting Strange...

[sunrise]

I just purchased my first tropical fish yesterday: 3 Black Skirt Tetras, and 3 Platys. The other fish are doing great, but one of my platys, a female, has been swimming in place pretty much since I got her. This morning, I found her in the "cave" and she won't come out, not even for food. Her fins and coloring look the healthiest of all my platys, so I don't think it's illness, but she's acting very strange. What's going on?

 

[*Fishkies*]

Well you did just get them yesterday so she may just be trying to destress. So I wouldn't really worry as of now. However here could be some things to consider...

Does she seem to be quite fat?
How big is your tank? Maybe there isn't enough room for them all to swim.

 

[sunrise]

Well you did just get them yesterday so she may just be trying to destress. So I wouldn't really worry as of now. However here could be some things to consider...

Does she seem to be quite fat?
How big is your tank? Maybe there isn't enough room for them all to swim.

The tank is 30" by 12". (I think it's 20L?) The pet store said it could comfortably accomodate up to 17 fish.

She seems a bit bigger in size than the other two, but it's hard to tell if she's actually fat.

She mostly hangs around at the bottom of the tank, as if she's anchored there. She's since left the cave, but she's back in the same corner she was in yesterday, and sometimes even chases away the other platys if they come near her.

ETA: OK, now she's back in the cave again.

 

[*Fishkies*]

She may just be trying to adjust from the change of locations in tanks. Just make sure you have enough hiding spots for each. Somtimes female platys are like that, they like to hide and don't come out. Usually they will come back out from hiding when they are ready. As for feeding, if your food drops to the bottom i'm sure she is getting some. So just keep an eye on her.

Oh i didn't even notice! Hello and to the forum!!

 

[sunrise]

Oh i didn't even notice! Hello and to the forum!!

Thanks!

I'm relieved to know that it's just normal platy behavior. I'm just glad she's not pregnant. (Hopefully!) It's my second day of keeping tropical fish -- I'm not ready to deal with that kind of thing quite yet!

 

[*Fishkies*]

If she is prengant she will have like little eggs in her, that you may or may not be able to see. So just keep an eye, out for that. However you can leave her in the tank and allow for her to have the babies in there. As platies can have anywhere from 15-100 or maybe even more babies.

Good Luck

 

[celaeno]

are the water parameters ok? did you cycle the tank?

 

[sunrise]

are the water parameters ok? did you cycle the tank?

Yes I did. I gave a sample of my water to the petstore yesterday and I was given the all-clear.