poorly platy

[sazash]

i haven't posted for ages but have a question or 2.

i have a poorly platy, its just staying at the bottom of the tank, occassionally tries to swim upwards but then sinks back down. i can't see any swelling or injury. it fed well yesterday although it was 'quiet' then also.

any ideas??? we've had it about a year since the tank was set up.

next thing..... do you find that when a fish is ill, one of its 'pals' becomes protective??? we have 6 platies in the tank, we started with 2 then added 2 more months later and got 2 babies this weekend. the one thats ill is from the first lot but its being protected by 1 from the 2nd set. it won't leave its side.

we lost 2 sets of gouramis a few months ago. each time the pair died together, it was so sad... i just hope this won't happen again.

 

[sylvia]

Platies are a good deal hardier than gouramies so she/he has a good chance of recovery.

First you'll need to post results for tests on ammonia, nitrItes, nitrAtes and pH. Also, what's your filtration, what size tank, what other fish are in the tank and how much do you feed? Lastly, what, if any, other symptoms have you noticed besides general lethargy and the sinking behaviour? Have you medicated the tank recently, do you have a quarantine tank and were any of your other fish sick recently?

My best guess would be either internal parasites (any sign of white stringy poo?), bad water quality, an internal bacterial infection (pinecone scales, bloating, lack of appetite?) or swim bladder (feed a shelled pea). Obviously it's difficult to be more specific without seeing the fish and it's behaviour or being given some more information but I hope that somehow helps.

 

[sazash]

thanks sylvia.

the only thing that has changed in the tank was on Monday. we bought 1 new guppy female and 1 new male, a fab yellow colour. we also got the new blue platy babies, they are very young, not tiny fry but very small.

got up on Tuesday and both new guppies had gone!!! put it down to introducing new fish into a well established tank, they didn't like the newcomers!!! there is a list of tank contents on my signature.

i'm assuming water quality is good cos the original guppies breed, the fry don't last for many days but they are born!! and the new platy babies are thriving. i haven't tested the water for ages... was told i didn't need too as its matured.

the tank is planted with real plants, has an all in one filter/ heater unit.

any views on the 'protection' i mentioned??? its really touching and fascinating seeing the fish being so protective of its pal....

 

[WILDER]

I would get your tank water tested soon as possible, once fish start swimming like that and laying on the bottom they usually die, sorry.

 

[sazash]

would it help if i did a water change tomorow?? do you think,

its 3 weeks since the last one

 

[WILDER]

Don't do a big one as it can stress them to much if you have left it in a while, good luck.

 

[sazash]

usually do a 10% one

 

[WILDER]

Maybe abit more say 20% with leaving it a while.

 

[sazash]

when you say 'leaving it a while' do you mean do 20% because its been 3 weeks since i did the last change???

sorry if this semms a daft question!!

usually do a 10% w/c monthly and everything has been fine

thanks for your info

 

[sylvia]

I agree.

Also, there is a thing called 'old tank syndrome' that unfortunately very few people seem to have heard of.

Basicaly it's when water quality steadily deteriorates in an established tank but it is such a slow deterioration that the existing fish have a chance to adapt. They may live for many years and be fine with it but any new fish will die - seemingly from unknown causes. This often happens with tanks that have been running for a while and the owner has begun to relax on water changes and maintainance.

I'll try to find a link about it.

 

[WILDER]

You really should be doing a gravel vack and 10% water change a week, or more thats why you test your water to make sure you are doing enough maintain on the tank.

 

[sylvia]

I think what Wilder meant is to do a water change but not too big because you have left it and a drastic change would stress the fish. You should be changing about 25% so a 20% change now should be ok until next week (rather than say a huge water change now to catch up on what you've missed).

edit: Sorry Wilder - I was posting at the same time as you.

 

[WILDER]

Thanks sylvia you always write it better than me.

 

[sazash]

many thanks for the replies..... will do a water asap and get the water tested when i can get to the shop.

lets hope my platy is ok after a w/c... might perk it up a bit.

 

[sazash]

just to add, i was told that once the tank was matured it wasn't necessary to test the water. i've also been told of people who don't do water changes although i tend to do 10% monthly....everything seems to be ok upto now.... like you say sylvia, maybe getting a bit lazy with the tank maintainance.

will definatly do a w/c asap and do it more frequently from now on