Sorry Looking Platty

[postmanpaul]

Hi
I bought 6 plattys yesterday 19/07 for my new tank the tank has matured for about 10 days with the usual chemicals put in eg dechlorinater,plant food and bacteria tested water amonia is zero ph is high but that is down to local water nitrite/nitrate almost ok,i was told to add a few fish to speed up the cycle hence the 6 platys,now 5 of them are very happy feeding and doing fishy things but one poor little chap this morning is just sitting on the bottom not moving (but alive) anyone know what maybe wrong so i can help it or am i just worrying to much any help would be appreciated.Cheers Paul

 

[Xebadir]

OK to explain: you need to read about the fishless cycling in the beginners thread, or failing that maybe go for a product like cycle to at least minimise the harm to your fish. The fact that you let your tank stabilise for 10 days is a good start, however by adding 6 platies you have created a giant biological load to your tank. Now the reason why only one fish is showing the effects is that he was probably previously weak or unhealthy from the conditions found in all mass storage facilities. Over the next few days your ammonia will skyrocket and i wouldnt be suprised if you lost more fish.

You have two options: 1. Isolate the sick fish, to see if he gets better(i doubt he will)
2. remove him now and euthanise.

As for your tank again two options: Return the platies and read up and commence a fishless cycle. OR
Return a couple of the platies, get a cycle assisting bacterial additive and minimise the risk of loosing the fish if you must have them.

I would really suggest returning the platies and doing the fishless, too many people loose fish during the cycle: and when you realise how they die you understand how horrid it is: The literally suffocate, like humans do with Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

Good luck and i hope this helps.

 

[johnatkin]

Have you been doing regular water changes? This may help and also add a cycling agent as Xebadir suggested also may speed up your cycle.

 

[WILDER]

All i can add it that if you are using fish to cycle a tank there are no gurantees they will make it, they have to go through the ammonia process then the nitrite process which takes it toll on fish and can cause there immune system to shut down.
If the fish is resting on the bottom and laying to one side it sounds like a bacterial infection, does the fish look bloated.

 

[postmanpaul]

Guys

Thank you for all your input fortunatly the said platty has started to liven up and is now swimming with the others done a test on the water amonia is nil ph is high but that is local nitrate nil and nitrate about.30.So i have now bought an external filter and external pump to help the supplied one also in anticipation i get good at this and get a bigger tank im in the UK the temp here is well in the 90s which doesnt help.end of story is i have now bought a beta (siamese fighting fish) and some corys and my new family are doin just fine,all be it this new hobby is costing me a fortune in equipment.

everybody cheers and good health

Paul