wendee

Hi There!

Tank Stats:
Size: 10 gal; Temp: 78; Amonia: 0; nitrate: 20; nitrite: .5; Hardness: 150; chlorine: 0; alkalinity: 120; pH: 7.8. Did a 30% water change today, removed 1 decor piece and 1 plastic plant; cleaned all plants/decor, gravel vacuumed.

Population:
3 adult female platys, 32-1 month old baby platys (3 loose, 29 in breeder tank)

Question:
I've had my set up for 2 months now and it's been cycled for about a month. My 3 adult platys like to hang out all day around the heater. I never see them swim around in the tank. They come out and greet me in the evenings, but over all, they just float around the heater (sometimes the filter)... is this normal? All the things I've read say that there is something wrong if I see this, but from what I can see they "look" perfectly fine... they eat at every meal.. poop is normal most of the time, but sometimes is white and flowy... kinda like empty poop casings. Has anyone seen this kind of behavior before and is it healthy? If not, how do I fix it?

Thanks!

MeGustaUnaPez926

I think they might just be a little stressed. And your tank is not cycled, because you still have some nitrites, so you need to do water changes to get that out. I think I've read something about the poop being white, and that being like, a parasite problem, but I really don't know, I'm sorry. Someone else should be able to help you on that one, though. Good luck with your fish.

Blub

Simple - the tank isn't cycled. You have nitrite in your tank - a poison to fish. Your platys are suffering from a condition called Nitrite poisoning.

Please read this article: http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

You'll need to do daily water changes until you are cycled!

wendee

hhmm... I think I disagree...I made it thru to zero nitrites a few weeks ago and have been nitrite free until yesterday... checking this morning, the nitrites are gone... I think I need to do more frequent changes since there are so many fish in such a small space. The fish's behavior has been consistant for a while now... even without nitrites in the tank... they hang out in the back... usually near the filter or heater... sometimes at the top, sometimes at the bottom... the white poop thing isn't constant... sometimes the poop is fine, sometimes white.... hopefully someone has seen this before.... seems strange to see a fish that won't swim. Anyone know any resources on fish parasites? Maybe its the personality of the fish and I'm just paranoid?? Thanks for the replies!

Thanks!

gibber

Hi Wendee. We're new to keeping fish so certainly no experts - our tank's been set up about the same time as yours, and it's our first. However, we've got a platy that does the same thing you describe. Our tank is fully cycled, our levels have all been great for some time and the other fish in the tank are totally fine. We don't have the white poop thing you mention going on, but this one platy regularly hangs out very still at the top, sometimes bottom of the tank - I've actually thought on occasion she'd died she was so still. She's been doing this the whole time we've had her though, is active at other times and eats fine, so in the absence of any other apparent symptoms or problems I'm starting to wonder if that's just her personality too. I'll watch with interest to see what others say could be the problem!