gazz2005uk

One of my platys is getting bullied by another platy, I've caught it being chased around by the same fish quite a lot recently and noticed this morning some of its tail is missing, Ive got the bully fish in a net at the top of the tank and the other fish seems a lot happier. Should I return one of the fish? If so, the bully or the fish thats getting bullied?

redlessi

Is it a male and a female, which one is the bully? A fish is definitely not going to last for too long in a net at the top of the tank. If you only have 2, and its 1 male 1 female maybe add more females. How many fish do you have in your 10 gallon tank, they may be fighting for space issues...........................

gazz2005uk

i think ive got too many in the tank to be honest, i have no idea if they are male or female, i have 6 platys all togther, 4 tuxedos and 2 yellows (dont know theyre real name).

I bought them when they were babies and theyve always been ok.

The fish that was getting bullied is a lot happier, it has been hiding at the bottom of the tank most of the day but now the other fish is in the net its swimming about all over the place .

I'm guessing you havent seen my other posts, I think ive got an ammonia problem in my tank aswell, one of my platys has got red stripes all down its body and is just sitting at the bottom of the tank.

Do you think the ammonia problem could cause them to be aggressive?


Edit: Ive also got 5 tetras 3 guppies and a black molly, yes i know ive got too many, noob mistake that i havent corrected yet, I dont want to return any lol

iloveengl

Hi gazz.

Rather than post two threads about the same topic, it's preferable that you post only one thread. This will make it easier for members to give you the best advice and it limits confusion between the threads and keeps the forum from getting cluttered. I see you've had some responses on your other thread....

gazz2005uk

yeh i know i put a thread in the other section because nobody was replying in this one ..do you have any suggestions? let me know in the other thread plz

iloveengl

If you don't re-home some of them in an overstocked tank, you are dooming your fish to a very unpleasant and short life.

Aggression is indeed a symptom of overcrowding and ammonia poisoning. If you want to keep an overstocked tank, I suggest daily 50% water changes with prime.

redlessi

Do you have the option of getting a bigger tank? Are you doing partial water changes frequently and use water conditioner when adding new water? Do you have a water testing kit? Sorry for the questions but it will make it easier to help you.

aquarist48

Hello Gazz. So sorry to hear your fish is being bullied around. Too, it sounds like your fish could be suffering from Septicemia. Can you post your readings for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?
I've merged your threads. Creating 2 threads on the same subject isn't necessary and can be very confusing to other members. Patience is part of fish keeping I'm sure when someone has the answers to your questions they will respond.
Wishing you and your fish the best. Keep us updated and let us know your readings if possible.
I suggest doing a 50% change and add some Prime or Amquel + to detox the ammonia for a 24 period until you have 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and under 20 nitrates. Here is a link to Septicemia. (note all fish are susceptible to Septicemia) Septicemia in Koi and Goldfish Ponds daily water changes may be needed to get the above results.
Ken

Diggly

Gaz I would recommend checking ebay and gumtree for cheap tanks, you wont regret it! and you will see your fish come to life.

gazz2005uk

before i changed the water it was:
GH -180
KH - 180 - 250
pH - 7.5
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 160 - 200

After water change:
All same except Nitrate gone down to 40-60

Just about to do another water change.

And for those of you who live in America, there arent any shops around here that sell Prime or Aquacel+, the conditioner i am using at the moment is called API tap water conditioner.

I dont know ammonia level as the strips i am using test for everything except ammonia and all shops are closed now. Will buy one tomorrow

eiginh

Test strips usually give false reading, try to purchase a liquid test kit. API makes that as well. It's alot more accurate and has the ammonia and nitrite test as well. Can you purchase a bigger tank, maybe a 15 or a 20? That would really help the aggressiveness. How often do you do water changes?

gazz2005uk

well the only liquid ones were just for one specific thing (nitrate/ammonia etc) and were expensive..the 5 in 1 strip pack was the only thing i could get hold of, going to get hold of an ammonia tester tomorrow. one of the fish has just died it was shaking on its side shooting round the tank. not a pretty sight..my girlfriend actually cried lol =/

I do a water change once a week, and today I have changed the water twice. Going to test the water again soon, leaving it time to settle down first.

Also, one of my fish has red stripes down its skin and is staying at the bottom a lot, what can I do to help it or is it certain to die?

aquarist48

Gazz...what does the API tap water conditioner do? Is it strictly to remove chlorine and metals? Does it detox ammonia?
Ammonia is more than likely the issue here. You need something to detox the ammonia. The red streaks on your fish are caused by Septicemia, (more than likely) which is caused by being exposed to ammonia. If you don't have anything to detox the ammonia then water changes are your best bet. If you have the means I highly suggest the API liquid test for ammonia for certain.
Best wishes for your fish.
Ken

eiginh

Instead of doing 2 w/cs a day every other day, try doing %20 w/cs daily. Your nitrate level is ridiculously high if that is 160-200 PPM, normal nitrate should be 5-10 ppm.

gazz2005uk

it was 160-200 when i first did the test but ive done water changes and its gone down to 0 now, i will try get my hands on a liquid test kit soon but my main priority is getting rid of the ammonia, the conditioner is just to make tap water safe nothing to do with ammonia unfortunately. I will have a look tomorrow when i go to the shop to see whats what.

eiginh

If your low on budget, you can try purchasing online, you'll save a few bucks! Please try to rehome some of your fishy's or get a bigger tank or the same size and split your community.

Lucy

I'm sorry about your fish Getting your fish into the proper size tank and the tank cycled is what's going to help.
You're not alone in this plenty of members have been through it, you'll get through it too.
Is the pH the same from tap to tank?
The liquid tests are expensive, but well worth it and usually last longer than the strips.

gazz2005uk

not sure about the pH, but ive done 3 tests and 2 w/c's and each time the nitrate level has gone down so thats a start.

a few of my fish are not looking good, they wasnt lieing when i read about it could just happen overnight!

as long as a few of the original fish i had pull through il be alright (and the girlfriend will stop mourning lol)

I have been on a website similar to ebay and found a few tanks going locally so hopefully theyl get back to my emails in the morning and maybe i'll have a new bigger tank