Sick Platy

[allan078]

This morning i noticed one of my female platy was hiding in a corner and didnt come up to eat, also that her mouth looked a bit funny, she didnt seem happy, so whilst i was at work i put her in a breeding trap, just incase any other fish started picking on her.

This evening when i got home from work, her "funny" looking mouth has turned white (please see picture). She won't eat, and barely moves. I am guessing she's probably going to die. It's a shame because she was the first fish i ever owned. Anyone got any ideas?

Apologies for the poor pics. My iphone would only focus on the glass, not the fish.

 

[BerryAttack]

sounds like your fish got cotton mouth.. it can spread to your other fish. I would check at the pet store if they have something for it.. but quickly separate the fish from the others so that the disease does not spread.
also this site has more information about cotton mouth disease


http/petcaretips.net/cotton-mouth-disease.html

good luck to you, hope your fish gets better

 

[allan078]

According to that site killing my platy is the best option. Suggestions??

I'm not able to isolate it, so would killing her be the best option then treat the rest of my tank?

 

[FishFanatic04]

You can treat it. Euthanizing fish is best left for extreme and hopeless cases. Melafix is a very mild medication that could help if it is not too extreme, but I would prefer Tetracycline which is an antibiotic.

If you don't have scaleless fish then you can add aquarium salt which could help.

 

[allan078]

I'll head for my lfs tomorrow to see what treatments they have.

 

[allan078]

I just found a dead platy in my tank, whether or not it's related to the cotton mouth I have no idea! It didn't show any symptoms. Just done a 75% water change too. Whether or not it will help I have no idea. Can't do any harm I guess. Feel a bit helpless until my lfs opens. I don't want to lose all my fish!!

 

[FishFanatic04]

I think a partial water change is in order, but run your water tests first. Hows the Ammonia? Nitrite?

 

[allan078]

I don't have a testing kit. I just tank samples to my lfs to get them to check it every couple of weeks. Last test everything was fine.

 

[allan078]

She's now swimming vertically and keeps almost falling on to her back. I think she's got a matter of hours left. I can't believe how quick it's been, she looked perfectly fine yesterday!

 

[allan078]

She died I'm a bit gutted cos like I said, she is the first fish I ever had. Had her for about 6 months, which isn't a long time, but she was ace! Always used to nibble my fingers etc.

Going to buy some Melafix tomorrow.

Thanks for your help and quick diagnosis guys.

 

[slimeneo]

Definitely get a quarantine tank, it's best to remove the sick fish as soon as you spot the illness. You can even just move the fish to a container so it doesn't spread to the others.

Sorry for your loss by the way

 

[allan078]

Definitely get a quarantine tank, it's best to remove the sick fish as soon as you spot the illness. You can even just move the fish to a container so it doesn't spread to the others.

Sorry for your loss by the way

I've got a fry tank with 6 of her babies in, they're about ready to be re-homed. I was going to keep a couple but I'll take them to the LFS tomorrow instead (no point in putting them in a diseased tank!) and my fry tank can be a quarantine tank incase any of my other fish get ill. I'm hoping a dose of Melafix will stop the spread of cottonmouth any further.

 

[FishFanatic04]

Are any of the other fish showing symptoms? Sometimes a fish can be weakened by something and get ill. Things like Ich or Velvet however would require a full tank treatment.

I wouldn't treat the whole tank unless you see symptoms with your other fish. Get your water tested, thats the first way to rule out water quality problems. SOmetimes a buildup of muck in gravel or the filter can lead to a nitrite spike.



By the way, very sorry for your loss. It's sad to lose a loved fish.