Skinny Platy?

[slimeneo]

Recently 2 of my fish have died from possibly swim bladder, but I'm not certain. I've noticed that 2 of my platys don't have as much of a belly as the others. It's just flat, and not round at all.
male:

Female:

I'm not sure if this is normal because I've looked online and seems like most platies have a belly and are never flat like these two. They eat and are pretty healthy as far as I can tell. The platy that died was flat like this too..

If anyone could tell me if this is normal or not, that would be great thanks!

 

[LucyB]

Internal parasites, I've lost a few platies from this

 

[slimeneo]

Oh no What meds should I get them? & do I dose the whole tank or set up another tank? Thank you.

 

[phurn]

I've had a female platy like this, and two years later its still happy and healthy... Not sure what it is or how it happened, she's never bred though, and the males pay no attention to her.

 

[slimeneo]

Oh whew, so they may have just been born like that? I went back and looked through the pictures on my phone, the male platy however definitely had more of a stomach before... and has been acting erratically sometimes, either staying on top of the tank and not moving (maybe he's sleeping...). his stomach has definitely shrunk though.. here's a picture of him before:

he's the one on the left, bottom.

Yeah, the other fish don't really mind the female one. actually since she's larger than the other fish, she chases them away if they get too close sometimes

 

[WILDER]

I find it always best to worm livebearers/

Levaimsole a good med.

 

[WILDER]

http/www.loaches.com/disease-treatment/levamisole-hydrochloride-1

 

[slimeneo]

I'll see if my LFS has it. thank you, I hope my fish will be ok

 

[slimeneo]

I looked on petco's website, and looks like they don't sell any anti-parasite medicines.. I will check in-store tomorrow to make sure though. However in petsmart, I found this: http/www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=10850833

Ingredients: 250 mg metronidazole, 75 mg praziquantel per packet

I'm not sure if it'll work, but the reviews look good.. seems like there are different cases of internal parasites, do you think this medicine can cure my fish?

edit: oh, I've found one that specifically says it gets rid of internal parasites.. perhaps this is better? http/www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11147153

 

[slimeneo]

Sorry for the triple post. I just added the tetra parasite guard tab in (and removed carbon from my filter.... most of it anyway) and I'm seeing Wilfred (the male platy who is thin) breathe heavily. The other fish seem fine... this is normal, I'm assuming? and how will I know when he is cured because the medicine doesn't say how long it takes... Since I don't see any worms protruding, will he just gain his weight back when he's well again? Thanks!

 

[WILDER]

It's best to find a med that treats camallanus worms.

Here a link to some info concerning camallanas worms.

http/inkmkr.com/Fish/CamallanusTreatment/experience.html

http/www.fishyfarmacy.com/fish_diseases/fecal_disorders.html

A link to Paracide D
http/www.fishyfarmacy.com/products3.html#Paracide-D

 

[slimeneo]

OK, I'll try to get another med for the worms if this treatment fails to work. Surprisingly he isn't acting lethargic or even flashing or anything.. I haven't seen him poop for awhile though..

 

[WILDER]

I think you are doing the right thing. It's best to worm fish.

Good Luck.
Keep us all posted on how you get on. That's if you don't mind.

 

[slimeneo]

Thanks, I hope he will make it. I need to check up on him often to see if he poops yet. Strange how other platies are pooping but he isn't... I just need to confirm that it is the worms

I'll definitely post updates. The medication says to dose 48 hrs after the first treatment if needed (after a water change). Well, he's got to poop sometime in these 48 hours since I know he's eating. So if I see any C worms I'll get the right meds, but hopefully it's a parasite that's treatable with these tabs...

Anyhow I did lots of research on internal parasites, and there doesn't seem to be a definite cause? I saw some sites saying that it might be from old fish food. I was still using the little trial packet of Tetra tropical flakes that came with the actual tank (that I got ~3-4 months ago)... I put it in a ziplock because it doesn't close, is it even possible that it could be the cause of the illness? but to be on the safe side, I've opened up a new container of fish food and no longer feeding the trial pack (or bloodworms.. for now).

 

[Billsfan905]

Good luck with your fish! I hope they are okay!