This isn't an urgent emergency, but I thought this would be the best place to ask this question. About 8 months ago, I bought a female albino koi swordtail. She has always been slightly smaller and thinner than my other fish and I've never worried about it, but recently I read about parasites being common in livebearers, so I am worried that she might have a parasite. How do I know? What symptoms should I look for?
As already mentioned, the specific fish has lived in my aquarium for 8 months and has never once been sick or had fin rot. She lives in my 30g aquarium with 6 other female swordtails and one male swordtail (and two angel fish). I have noticed that she does not "hang out" with the other fish as much; however, I always assumed that this was because she was the only albino and am not really worried, since she swims around normally and I have never seen her rest on the bottom. She is also no less robust than the other fish and has been moved between aquariums several times without problems. I keep a close eye on her and make sure she always gets something to eat, but she does not have as much of an appetite as the other fish and usually only eats one or two flakes or blood worms. She has no fat on her at all as far as I can see. She is also only half the size of my other swordtails, only slightly bigger than my six month old fry!! I considered the fact that she might be part platy, but her body shape is clearly that of a swordtail. Most importantly of all, she has never been pregnant, unlike all my other females who give birth all the time. Should I be concerned? I hope not, in my opinion, she is the most beautiful fish I have! (I have a soft spot for albinos.)
Sorry that the post is so long...
As already mentioned, the specific fish has lived in my aquarium for 8 months and has never once been sick or had fin rot. She lives in my 30g aquarium with 6 other female swordtails and one male swordtail (and two angel fish). I have noticed that she does not "hang out" with the other fish as much; however, I always assumed that this was because she was the only albino and am not really worried, since she swims around normally and I have never seen her rest on the bottom. She is also no less robust than the other fish and has been moved between aquariums several times without problems. I keep a close eye on her and make sure she always gets something to eat, but she does not have as much of an appetite as the other fish and usually only eats one or two flakes or blood worms. She has no fat on her at all as far as I can see. She is also only half the size of my other swordtails, only slightly bigger than my six month old fry!! I considered the fact that she might be part platy, but her body shape is clearly that of a swordtail. Most importantly of all, she has never been pregnant, unlike all my other females who give birth all the time. Should I be concerned? I hope not, in my opinion, she is the most beautiful fish I have! (I have a soft spot for albinos.)
Sorry that the post is so long...
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