Sick Platy?

[Twinklecaz]

Hi

I know I should prob post this in emergencies but I don't think *touch wood* he's in any urgent danger.

My big yellow Platy, Cello, just wasn't looking right when I came home today. He was just hovering in one part of the tank and his tail wasn't as fanned out as usual. On closer inspection I see that he has a funny look to to his head. Like white patches but not exactly like a growth, more like some of his scales have totally lost their colour.

There is a bit that looks like he MAY have scraped it, kinda slighly grooved in with what looks like a teeny tiny bit of skin sticking up but to be honest I could be totally imagining this bit.

What do you think could be wrong with him? Disease or do you think he's hurt himself? I have to point out that I have never had any problem with him before. I've had him since day one and he's been by far my healthiest fish - never been sick even when others have, always active etc. I think this is why I noticed his new behaviour so easily.

The only other thing I've noticed in my tank and I don't know if this is relevant is that my fish have all (cept the Pygmys) been hanging in the upper region of the water more the last few days. Not necessarily gasping for air or anything but that seems to be where they prefer to be a lot of the time - I have wondered if they are merely waiting for food coz they can see me though.

My filter is still agitating the water and my Ammonia and Nitrites are 0.

 

[Twinklecaz]

I didn't think anyone would know

 

[Athena]

Hi Twinklecaz

Sorry to hear you have another problem in your tank. Don't suppose you can post a pic at all so we can get a better idea of the problem?

Usually when their fins are clamped (you say his tail isn't fanned out), it's a sign they are stressed and may have a bacterial disease. Do you happen to have any Myxazin at home that you can start treating with? It's very good for bacterial disease if you catch it early on. Those patches you mention might be the start of some body rot, too, and, again, Myxazin will treat that.

Aside from treating the problem, look at what may have caused it so that you can eliminate or reduce that causal factor.

Regards - Athena

 

[fluffycabbage]

do you have an oxygen testing kit at all? if not, can you add additional aeration?

 

[Twinklecaz]

Hi guys, thanks.

He did seem to have perked up a bit by the time I went to bed last night so fingers crossed maybe he had just bashed himself. Yeah I've still got some Myxazin left so I could always dose some I guess. The only thing is and I know this sounds stupid - I swear my smaller female honey is alergic to meds. Whenever I dose any (especially Myxazin)she kinda hides for about 24 hours, kinda like she feels sick or something lol. Do you think that's possible?

Been thinking of getting an oxygen test. Though It's no different from how it always has been

 

[Athena]

Well, I've not heard of it affecting gouramis, in fact I used it to treat my dwarf gourami when he had an ulcer, which cured him. I know that it's a good idea to increase aeration when treating with meds and I always do a water change before starting the treatment.

Maybe your female gourami just doesn't like the meds. Sometimes I do feel sorry for our fish, I mean one gets sick and they all have to put up with the medicine . Imagine if you had a bunch of people in a room and one had a chesty cough, wouldn't it be weird if they all then had to take nasty cough mixture LOL

Anyway, if there isn't a major issue with the fish by tonight, if all looks back to normal, then don't worry about medicating. Only use it if you suspect bacterial problems and if it's only a slight "maybe" you could always half-dose for 2 days and hopefully that will be enough to stop it in its tracks. If you do happen to do this, don't forget to remove your carbon sponge(if you have one) and do another water change on 3rd day before returning carbon sponge (if you want to remove all residue meds).

Bye for now - Athena

 

[Twinklecaz]

Lol yeah, I spose it is the same.

Once again, tanks Athena

 

[Athena]

"Tanks" LOL

 

[Twinklecaz]

Lol I'd love to say I did that on purpose!

Well he seems fine in himself now but the white is still very much there. What do you reckon? Scraped himself? I have done two small doses of Myxanin but to be honest that was just to be sure, he seemed fine again before that.

 

[Twinklecaz]

Ok, he's still happy enough but today he's developed kind black bits on the white. What the bleep is this? Here's a photo but as usual it's not very good. The best way I can describe it now the white looks like it has bits of dirt in it. He;s the yellow one by the way!




I've just done a four day half - two thirds dose of Myaxin too!

 

[Twinklecaz]

Mouldy,that's a good work - it looks like it's going mouldy!

 

[Twinklecaz]

Poor little mouldy head Cello. I'm thinking some sort of fungus (though it's not fluffy). Anyone agree/disagree? and what can I do about treating bearing in mind I only finished the dose of Myaxin on Monday so really should wait till next Monday to put anything else in. I read that the main fish that are sensitve to overdosing meds are tetras and catfish. Which being as lucky as I am I have!