Platties Swimming Near Surface,

[abih2005]

Hi - got three platties to join my nine cardinals and five gourami - I figure it's at full stocking now so won't be adding anymore. The water parameters are fine, 0 across the board apart from nitrates as normal. There are plants in the tank, and a water filter which bubbles away. I am just a little worried by the platties - they seem to spend a lot of time swimming next to the surface and also going up and down by the sides of the tank.... Any ideas?

 

[KittyKat]

What size is the tank? Are they gasping of breathing fast?

 

[abih2005]

It's a 54l tank, they're not gasping, more liking cruising along the surface and occasionally swallowing (or so it looks like)...

I've upped the bubble flow from the filter and since then they're swimming more in the middle section.

 

[KittyKat]

Were they breathing faster? It sounds like the problem was lack of air. That is quite high stocking, I would consider it at very full.