Platty trouble

[Miss Dib Dabs]

Well yes. My young female red platty, who had fry back in June, is acting a little unusual. She has no marks on her anywhere, in fact she looks the height of health! But...she's taken to withdrawing herself into an ornamental jug in the tank. I believe she used it when she last had fry. If I approach the tank she comes to greet me but when I leave she goes back, puts her beautiful under fins down (which puts full out when she greets me) and sits quietly in solitary. She is a little darker around her back underside although not overly round for a female. Eating, but not as interested as I would normally expect. And seems to be toiletting normally.
Water was tested for ammonia and nitrItes this morning with both reading at 0. Temp between 26-28C which is normal this summer for it.
All the other residents seem perfectly happy and lively. Haven't seen anyone picking on her although she is the only female platty, with a male in the tank.
Any thoughts?
Hugs,
P.

 

[Annastasia]

The male might be stressing her out if she is the only female in the tank. I'd get at least 2 more, or remove the male or this female to another tank and seperate them. He could be getting aggressive with her.

Also, she might be slower, and hiding, because it's pretty warm. Is there enough oxygen in the tank? My fish also tend to slow down and hide a bit more when it's hot in the tank.

And if you have a male and female, she's probably pregnant again. It can be hard to see the gravid spot on orange or red Platies....you said she doesn't look very fat though.

I'm betting something is stressing her out, as the things you listed are the most common signs of it.

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

I'd love to add another female but I think the tank is overstocked as it is. It's the 60litre in my siggy? If it can cope with another female I'll pick one up tomorrow. I haven't seen any aggression from the male, but I guess it is possible.
I think it's doubtful she's due for fry since it's only been about 4 weeks since the last ones. Would I get away with another female in there? The Endlers will eventually be moved to a tank of their own (species tank) but not for a month or so I suspect.
Hugs,
P.
Edit:Ought to add, the tank temp is often that high with this heat. I have it set for 26 and all the fish are happy with it. The water is well oxygenated.

 

[Annastasia]

Platies are only pregnant for about a month, so if it's been that long...she could be due. Usually you don't see any aggression from the males, but it happens. Mostly at night.

If you could move the Rasboras or the Tetras somewhere else..you could have another female. Otherwise, I think you would really be pushing it. Is there another place you could put the male?

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

My other two tanks are both cycling right now so no, it'd kill him. And the residents due for them would eat him anyway. Same applies to the tetras. Until I get the tank for the endlers bought and cycled he has nowhere to go. None of them do. Although they're all still juvies (Not yet fully grown) I don't want to squish them in. And I really don't want to get rid of any as I love them all.
Hugs,
P.

 

[Annastasia]

Hmmmm...I don't know what to say. It's not going to be good for her to keep on getting stressed, because she can eventually die from this.

Tough situation.

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

Well thanks for trying hon. The only other thing that springs to mind is I changed the bulb in my bedside lamp a few nights ago, just before this started. The new one was an energy saver and somewhat brighter then the previous bulb. I turn the lamp on when it starts to get dark until I go to sleep. Which can vary between 10pm and 1am. As a precaution I've lightly covered the tank with a summer black dressing gown and changed the bulb to a duller one.
Is it possible that has upset her? Especially if she's feeling a bit sensetive if she's preggers? As it's the only difference in the room and situation it's all I can think of. The male is seriously laid back. Never seen him bother her at all in fact (granted I don't get out night vision and watch them after dark... ).
Ok. I will keep a watchful eye on her anyways. If it becomes an issue I will go buy a temp home for her or let her use one of the bigger tanks until a smaller home is found for use.
Anyone with anymore suggestions please step forward tho.
Hugs,
P.

 

[Annastasia]

It might have bothered her for a few days, but she should adapt. Perhaps being stressed isn't the problem, if you say your male is very laid back. Does she have any signs of disease? And what are the water params?

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

Ok things are worse. Still no outward signs of disease in any way at all. Have been able to move her to my empty 55g which has mature filter media and seems to have coped with the ammonia I've added recently and cycled it no trouble. Checked it's params b4 putting her in and both nitrIte and Ammonia are 0. I moved her at 6.30am today when I saw her hanging near the surface of the tank. Breathing isn't overly fast but this behaviour isn't normal either. I have not seen her poop since Sunday and she won't eat peas. I've not fed her at all.
She is still hanging at the surface, occassionally moving about.
Someone please help. I don't want to lose her through ignorance. I put some stresszyme and a drop of melafix in the tank. I just don't know what else to do!
Hugs,
P.

 

[FunkyRes]

Ok things are worse. Still no outward signs of disease in any way at all. Have been able to move her to my empty 55g which has mature filter media and seems to have coped with the ammonia I've added recently and cycled it no trouble. Checked it's params b4 putting her in and both nitrIte and Ammonia are 0. I moved her at 6.30am today when I saw her hanging near the surface of the tank. Breathing isn't overly fast but this behaviour isn't normal either. I have not seen her poop since Sunday and she won't eat peas. I've not fed her at all.
She is still hanging at the surface, occassionally moving about.

I suspect she's about to give birth. Really.
It generally is best to separate a female from other fish when they do give birth because it is stressful and they are more subject to harrassment after they have given birth. If she gave birth, was harrassed, and is gravid again - that could explain her behaviour. Let her go for a few weeks without other fish after she gives birth again.

In larger tanks with a lot of plants it usually isn't that much of an issue, but if you were at the limit of what your tank could hold - I'm guessing that she didn't have ability to remove herself from the antangonists after birthing.

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

She already seems happier having moved here into solitary in the 55g. Just put in some plants for her so she can use them aswell as the rocks already in there. Am leaving the lights off a bit longer to give her some calm time. I am hopeful.
Hugs,
P.

 

[Annastasia]

Awww, that sounds nice for her. She may be close to giving birth, but hanging at the surface usually isn't a sign of that. As long as she isn't stressed, that's the most important.

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

She's not been near the surface since this morning now. Still hiding up alot but otherwise ok. No signs of babes. But then I wouldn't expect to see as last time I didn't. Am now trying to sort a tank for her (as the 55 is for my brachysynodontis when I find then!) and some more females to join her.
Hugs,
P.

 

[Annastasia]

Oh, okay, great.

She may still be a little unsure of herself, if she was getting harrassed by the male...just give her some time.

And good luck working out a tank for her.

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

Today she is wanting to eat and going to the loo. Honestly never thought I'd be pleased to see a fish poop.
Just gave her a miniscule amount of frozen daphnia (obv not still frozen!) although it's not her favourite. One of my cats got hold of the tub of fish food yesterday, opened it and tipped on the carpet. Yes he's a smart cat who happens to like fish food. I wasn't pleased tho.
Still going to the surface every now and then and hasn't produced any fry I can see. She may have reabsorbed them or had some and I have yet to notice. It is a damn big tank!
Hugs,
P.