Platy problem.

[kavmar]

Howdy folks!

Just thought I'd introduce myself to you all. Bought my very small 28 litre tank 2 weeks ago (budget and space prohibited any bigger!) and last week got my first 2 platy's named Bert and Ernie, after 2 hours Bert gave birth and we have 2 fry (out of 4) still alive and swimming!

Unfortunately i found white spot today - have added treatment by interpet any one know how successful this will be? Will it kill off my fry? Also my nitrite levels are quite high (others are acceptable) my local fish shop have said this is due to the tank being new and not to be too worried and to give it a few weeks to settle down, but to monitor fish and ensure i don't over feed the fish or get any more just yet - should I be worried? so far my fish shop have been really helpful and answered my many questions!

Anyway thanks for listening to my eventful start to keeping fish!

 

[Lateral Line]

I found this on mod review in the Fish Index. Moved.

 

[vidiots]

I recommend frequent large water changes until the tank stabolizes. The fry will probably be more resistant than their parents who may still be adjusting to the change in water conditions. The toxins in the water should be your primary concern, and the ich spots a secondary concern, because the fish will survive longer with ich than they will with high levels of toxins in the water.

 

[kavmar]

thank you for moving post to be seen. Have improved water problems i think? The levels are now: ph 8.5, ammonia 0.1mg, nitrite 0.1mg & nitrate 12.5mg. But worried about Bert, since adding 2nd whitespot treatment she isn't really using her left pectoral or pelvic fin and the dorsal is lying flat on her body. Her white spot's have dropped off and have added the 2nd treatment for whitespot a couple of hours ago (Interpet). Ernie has got 2 spots returned but seems ok other than that. Bert is swimming around (as best she can)any suggestions - please help! Thank you!

 

[who-izzet]

When I first started out with livebearers, I used to get alot of whitespot problems. The main cause is stress or water condition, so make sure you get this right first.

I had some advice once from a guy who kept many fishtanks & it was simple.... raise the temperature by about 4-6C for a week & also add abit extra water conditioner when changing water. Also I was told to always keep my temperature slightly higher than advised. I havn't had whitespot now in over 2 years.

The temperature rise is supposed to make the whitespot drop off the fish quicker as it speeds up the whitespots life cycle.

In the last 2 years since doing this, I can honestly put my hand on heart & say I have had very minimum deaths through disease.

 

[kavmar]

Thank you for that info will try it out!

Just as update, managed to get water levels almost just right the nitrite was still a little over but has come down. Bert's has recovered I think she had an argument with Ernie who nipped half of it off, but Bert can swim quite freely, I'm keeping an eye on her incase she gets fin rot! But she has become a little aggressive now to the others - maybe this is just normal behaviour to bump the others! The whitespot seems to have gone but I'm gonna do another treatment just in case and will try the temperature thing too!