Platy In The Filter

[Novembro]

Hi all,
 
New to the forum, so a bit of background- we have a 15g tank (tetra tank with a Whisper EX20 filter) and just finished our fishless cycle. We're both complete newbies to tanks and fish.
 
We got our starter fish today- three platys. Took them home, let them adjust to the water in the tank through the bag for awhile and then set them loose in the tank. All was going well until we noticed that the smallest of the fish had disappeared. I found him hanging out in the filter, and when I pulled it out, he fell from the filter to the floor.
 
Any reason he'd do this? Any way to prevent it from happening again? I hope he hasn't suffered from the fall Is it possible he was looking for food or just being overly excited about exploring?
 
I can post photos of our setup if that would be helpful.
 
Thanks!

 

[Blondielovesfish]

It sounds like the platie may have been weak, either that or your filter is too strong.
 
Just checking, how exactly did you cycle your tank?

 

[Novembro]

I followed the guide posted on here, did my own home tests, and had our water tested at a local fish shop (not a chain like Petco).
 
One of the bigger platys just swam underneath it and I saw it kind of pull her up, but she was able to swim away. I wonder if there's a way to turn it down?

 

[Blondielovesfish]

What is the flow rating on the filter?
 
You could put a sponge over the intake, that should slow the flow a bit.

 

[Novembro]

It's 110 GPH.
 
And thanks! Would you just use a regular household sponge? I also read that you could affix a bit of mesh over it to prevent that from happening.
 
I guess we'll see if he makes it through the night. Fingers crossed!

 

[Novembro]

Well, tried the sponge bit after the little guy got sucked up again. It stopped the filtration system entirely.
 
I noticed a bit of his back fin looks like its been nipped off. Seems to struggle to swim when he gets close to it, which is of course his favorite place to be. Might take him back to the shop tomorrow. Don't know.

 

[Blondielovesfish]

No, I use a bit of sponge that you put in the filter, this stuff:

 
Daily water changes should heal the fin up in no time
Though if you do want to take him back then that is understandable.

 

[Novembro]

Ahh, I see. We thought we had remedied the problem by adjusting one of the rocks to sit closer to the intake, but somehow he got sucked up again and died overnight.  
 
Alas, lesson learned. Slightly bigger fish this time!

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Oh no! I'm sorry to hear this!
Hopefully it won't happen to the others.
 
Try giving the LFS you got him from and see if they will replace/refund him, as I imagine he was probably sick anyway.

 

[Novembro]

Yeah, shame about him. The shop was quite nice and let me "exchange" him. I opted for a much larger and all-fin-intact female. She's quite pretty. Hopefully I can get some photos up tonight!