Platie Problem

[Nick Bramley]

i bought two Platies a few weeks ago and one of them, a red one with black fins and a black splodge around the mouth now seems to be loosing the red colour, now nearly white on the last third of its body, between the top and bottom fin (dorsal?) and its tail fin.

does anyone know what this could be caused by?

Thanks, Nick

 

[mnbyiuopre]

Do you know exactly what kind of Platy you bought? I'm assuming that the black fins are natural but th black spot around the mouth could have possibly been a kind of infection. Are you feeding them a varied diet? Platys need a mix of flake, froze, and live food. I personally feed mine flakes and frozen brine shrimp. This might be why they're losing color. Also, what are your water conditions?

 

[theotheragentm]

Sounds like fungus. How is your water quality? If you're not sure, do a water change of at least 50% making sure to add dechlorinator and to match new water with the tank water temperature.

Separate out the sick fish if you have a separate tank. Raise the water temperature to 85 F. There are medications for fungus, but I am not familiar with them. Pimafix? Do a search with Google if you're not sure. Just a note, the fungus medicines have a blue dye in them most of the time and will stain your silicon sealant. You want to use a disposable plastic container for this if you do treat the fish.

 

[kribensis12]

I sounds like fungus. I would go with a salt dip until you can buy meds. I would suggest some anti-fungus plus+. It works like a charm. Could you post a pic? They always help. And one more thing, if you do a salt dip, 1 tablspoon to a gallon, in a small container. And anti-fungus plus+ stains silicone sealent green.

 

[theotheragentm]

Salt should be aquarium salt, not just table salt.

 

[Nick Bramley]

water conditions are fine.

ive had fungus on my fish before but its like the colour has just totally faded in half the fish and its only in the red part, completely stops in the black, not like any fingus ive ever seen.

couldnt tell you what platy it is because have no idea, its a deep red with black fins, about an inch and a half long, not much help i know.

the black on the lips is exactly like the black on the fins, definetely not part of the problem.

feed them flake (half colour enhancer half nutritional), frozen bloodworm and frozen natural sextet (i think its called, not at home so not sure)

Nick

 

[theotheragentm]

I've had fish lose color and die. This was when I first started taking care of fish and didn't keep up my my water quality. Unfortunately, not knowing better at the time I did nothing more to care for the fish and she died. If you don't think it's fungus, don't treat for fungus. I would raise the temperature and do water changes more frequently though as that may lower the stress of the fish.

 

[Nick Bramley]

Thanks, ive kept my water temp the same for the year ive had my tank and have always done a 20% water change every week, have never had a problem like this before. water is absolutely fine, would bet my house on it.

Nick

 

[Nick Bramley]

thinks its Xiphophorus maculatus, really appreciate any help

Nick

 

[theotheragentm]

What size is the tank and what is living in it? A year could be a lot of growth for some of the fish in the tank. I tend to do at least 30% water changes a week, probably more. Smaller tanks are harder to maintain as swings in bioloads, temperature, etc. affect it more greatly. Has anything died in the tank recently?

 

[mnbyiuopre]

thinks its Xiphophorus maculatus, really appreciate any help

Nick

I just checked on google and you are absolutely right! The common name is Southern Platy. I've tried checking different things for you but still haven't come up with anything. If everything you say is correct then I don't think you're doing anything wrong. Maybe its possible that your fish is just fragile and not meant to be. Sorry that sounds harsh but it could betrue.

 

[mnbyiuopre]

I just found something! It may not be it but its worth a shot. Okay, do you have adeqate lighting? I found out that if you put any fish in a dark room, area, etc. It will lose color and become very pale but can still be perfectly healthy.

 

[Nick Bramley]

Thankyou both very much for your help but i came back from work last night to find my Platy had died. still have no idea why even after a closer look at it.

sorry i couldnt reply sooner.

Thanks, Nick

 

[mnbyiuopre]

I'm sorry for your loss. Even though it's sad now you have experience if it happens again.