Paralyzed platy

[Lily456]

I have this platy who seems to be paralyzed from his front fins back. He’s pretty old, I got him from my aunt because all her other fish died except him and a giant pleco. and she was out of town a lot and didn’t notice this guy was having issues (or even alive) so I took him with me. He can’t move his tail at all, still swims around using the front two fins, still eats plenty. He used to just sit at the bottom of the tank and barely move at all except to eat, but I got 2 other platys for him and now he actually swims around (still with only the front fins) and is always like he’s standing upright, has no control at all over his back half. I don’t know what my aunts water conditions were in the old tank. But in the tank I have him in now it’s at 0ammonia, 0nitrites, 10nitrates and about a 7.4 ph. He’s in with my other fish now after being quarantined for a couple weeks. He has definitely improved since I got him but I’m wondering if this is just old age and he’s just less depressed now(he’s about 4 years old I think) or if it’s a disease of some sort. I’ve had him for about 2 weeks. (Just put him in my DT today)

 

[I Like Rare Fish]

I think you should euthanize. Use clove oil or vodka mixture.

 

[Lily456]

even though he’s shown some improvement? I feel bad for the little guy but I’d hate to just put him down if there’s a chance of him being normal again..

 

[kribensis12]

Personally, I would only euthanize a fish that seems likely to die and is in pain (or appears to be). In this case, it sounds like he is older and struggling, but it still enjoying life. Personally, I'd let nature take its course.

 

[DragonScales+Doubletails]

this is one of those things where you need to think: do you want the fish to suffer or not. the platy is old correct? if so maybe it's his time.

 

[I Like Rare Fish]

Agreed

 

[Lily456]

You may be right. I think I will wait it out just a little bit longer to see if he continues to improve, or if he stays how he is now. He doesn’t appear to be suffering, especially compared to how he was when I first got him. So I just want to be sure I’m doing the right thing.

 

[I Like Rare Fish]

He may be in pain.

 

[DragonScales+Doubletails]

does he have tank mates?

 

[Lily456]

Yes, 2 other platys, some kuhli loaches, otocinclus , a female betta, and a few snails

 

[DragonScales+Doubletails]

nice community I just read the whole post if he's 4 it's his time that's the life expectancy of a platy

 

[Lily456]

Thank you, and yeah I figured so.. was just hoping nature would take care of it so I wouldn’t have to be the one I hate to think that he is suffering. Thanks for the advice, I will be thinking this over and planning what the best way would be.

 

[DragonScales+Doubletails]

kudos to you