Platy Near Bottom, Drinking Continuously

[newbie2011]

Hi,

I have 10 Gallon tank with 5 male playts - tank cycled from some months.
I recently 3-4 days back would have done the partial water change, gravel clean, algae clean on glass etc and had not found any readings worrying in nitrite, ammonia, nitrate before the water change etc.

I noticed today that one platy seems to continuously have his mouth open and close - like breathing / mild gasping (but deep in water) / continuously drinking. I may not be able to describe it to the best technical words but that's how it looks.
He did not seem much interested in eating and is mostly near the bottom.

Other 4 are fine.

Any help pointers.

Thanks.

Forget to add that he is not swimming much and perched near a bottom decoration.

 

[-FighterFishh]

Can you see anything unusual on him, like spots or cuts?

Also, are you 100% sure he's male? If it's the only girl in the tank, she could have been harassed so much by the 4 males that she's just very exhausted.

 

[newbie2011]

No I am 100% sure of all being males. I don't see anything special on him - also his hiding at the bottom makes seeing more difficult. The only constant observation is this gulping or talking continuously kind of open and close mouth movement. I read about some medications on the internet like tetra lifeguard or some anti - parasite food. Should I go ahead and try something in the aquarium?
Thanks.

 

[newbie2011]

Hi,

Any suggestions please! I just did a feed and he was not able to eat because his mouth is stuck open. He seems to keep trying to close it but it doesn't close completely so looks like opening and closing his mouth fast.

Please help!
Thanks

 

[fluttermoth]

If the fish really does have his mouth stuck open there's not a lot you can do.

You could, if you're feeling brave, take the fish out of the water and have a look in its mouth and see if you cna see anything in there. Keep the fish wrapped in a wet towel or cloth while you do this.

Apart from that, lots of water changes and hope that it sorts itself out with pristine water conditions.

Best of luck.

 

[Caprichoso]

Hi,

I have 10 Gallon tank with 5 male playts - tank cycled from some months.
I recently 3-4 days back would have done the partial water change, gravel clean, algae clean on glass etc and had not found any readings worrying in nitrite, ammonia, nitrate before the water change etc.

I noticed today that one platy seems to continuously have his mouth open and close - like breathing / mild gasping (but deep in water) / continuously drinking. I may not be able to describe it to the best technical words but that's how it looks.
He did not seem much interested in eating and is mostly near the bottom.

Other 4 are fine.

Any help pointers.

Thanks.

Forget to add that he is not swimming much and perched near a bottom decoration.

Well I could guess that if the fish isn't "sick" that he's probably getting harassed by the other fish. Maybe "he" is actually a "she" and is utterly exhausted and stressed from all the males chasing her. What were your test kit readings? Have you had ANY ammonia or nitrite in that tank in the last few weeks?

 

[newbie2011]

Thanks Fluttermoth and Caprichoso for inputs!

Truth is I am not so brave enough - atleast right now. Maybe if it doesn't get corrected by some less risky way, I might do it later but I am afraid to do it currently.
I checked the readings - 0 nitrite, 0 ammonia, 5 ppm nitrate, ph 8.2, temp 84 (maybe the texas heat and I have it away from the ac duct, the aquarium heater is set to a low temp though).
I did a gravel, 9 ltr partial water change and ended up cleaning the blue filter, not the bio-fiber one (i have aqua-tech power filter model 5-15) in the extracted water by tossing it through and cleaning the dirt from it with hands.

I am saying its a male based on the gonopodium related internet descriptions and the pet shop person's confirmation while taking it.
I do find 1 more fish slightly lazier lesser active - is more on the ground than around but no other problems. All 5 tried to eat crunched flakes but not sure how much the open mouth guy gets - probably negligible.

Should I try any medication? Is there any way to feed the open mouth platy?

 

[fluttermoth]

I honestly can't think of any medication that might be of use in this situation. You'll just have to keep making sure it can get to the food and hope it sorts itself out. I can't think of anything else that might work, sorry

 

[Caprichoso]

Maybe it's just me but your tank temperature of 84F seems way too high. My platy's are at 76F. If a fish gets too warm it can display symptoms of laboured breathing and sitting on the bottom, as that's where it would be cooler.

 

[newbie2011]

Hi,

Is there anything I can do to help the mouth situation?
I had read somewhere about someone trying to feed with a dropper by making some liquid food paste of the flakes. I don't know how such an attempt will effect the others in the tank and as an ongoing process. Currently I don't see it eating anything due to the mouth. It swims around though if I disturb from outside.

Is there any suggestions for temperature control for a warm area like Texas USA? I think the only excess maight be in noon times when none is at home.

Thanks.

 

[Caprichoso]

Hi,

Is there anything I can do to help the mouth situation?
I had read somewhere about someone trying to feed with a dropper by making some liquid food paste of the flakes. I don't know how such an attempt will effect the others in the tank and as an ongoing process. Currently I don't see it eating anything due to the mouth. It swims around though if I disturb from outside.

Is there any suggestions for temperature control for a warm area like Texas USA? I think the only excess maight be in noon times when none is at home.

Thanks.

Some people use plastic bottles filled with water then freeze them. You can just pop them in the tank when it starts getting too warm. You can also keep the lid open a bit and have a fan blowing across the surface of the water. If your fish is too hot it won't eat.