loopy

We have a fairly large aquarium with 2 silver dollars, 2 plecos, 3 platys and 5 danios. The silver dollar that we have a problem with has grown significantly larger than the other, very quickly. The rest of the fish in the tank are all healthy, but we do have a platy (dying) with dropsy in our quarantine tank. He was separated about 3 weeks ago.

So, the big silver dollar has a growth encircling one of his eyes. It is the same colour as him, and is smooth, not cotton-wool like. In fact, it looks like he's wearing a monocle! His eye itself looks fine. The growth doesn't look like a sore, and he is acting normally. Does anyone have any idea what this might be? Your help is greatly appreciated. xx

COBettaCouple

Did that platy fail to respond to Maracyn-Two?

On the silver dollar, it sounds almost like popeye but not really. Do you have a pic of him that might help find the cause of this growth?

loopy

Not looking good for the platy, no the antibiotics / anti bac hasn't worked at all.

The silver dollar however.... Still looking healthy in all other ways, but the two silver dollars are getting very aggressive with each other over the past couple of days, crashing into each other and head-butting one another. Do you think this could be a resulting injury perhaps? I'm pretty sure its not popeye, as the eye is not affected, just the skin around it.

I'll try and take a photo later when I get home from work (in England, time difference).

thanks for your help,xx

COBettaCouple

a 3rd silver dollar might help wth the pecking order problems they're having. it doesn't sound like an impact injury, but i could be wrong on that one.

loopy

I was thinking a 3rd silver dollar might eb a good idea, but I didn't want to overcrowd the tank, especially as the one SD is growing so quickly. x

COBettaCouple

how big is the tank?

loopy

its about (not at home, so not sure) 3-4ft x 1ft x 1.5ft

COBettaCouple

that would give you 33 to 44 gallons. Silver Dollars get to 6-7", Platys to 2", Danios to 2". Right now you have 14" + 6" + 10" = 30". 1 more silver dollar could fit if your tank is 4'x1'x1.5'. I didn't count the plecos because unfortunately they will need a new home - a tank of at least 55 gallons is needed for even 1 pleco as they get to 18-24" and are heavy waste producers.

loopy

Thanks for that advice.

I didn't manage to get a pic of the silver dollar's ey, but it has changed now, and is clearly popeye. We have moved him into the quarantine tank with the dropsy platy (I didn't want to do this in case of sd getting dropsy, but it was the only option, especially as small silver dollar has been bitten to shreds by the bigger one.

Now, the dropsy platy. Gone quite mad, very close to death and its quite sad. What are your thoughts on fish euthanasia? I hate to do it, but he looks awful. Any help greatly appreciated, thanks.

COBettaCouple

This is what I'd use to put down a fish: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113016. Dropsy is mostly fatal and if he's failed to respond to dropsy meds, then it may be the kindest thing for him at this point.

loopy

Thanks. We euthanased the dropsy platy this morning.

The big silver dollar was treated for popeye (myxazin treatment), but it has gone 1 day into the course! We're keeping him in the quarantine tank, and will finish the treatment.

We went to look for another silver dollar today, and went to 2 different places but both shops had fish that look like they either have fin rot or some serious fin-nipping, so we thought we'd wait until we saw some really healthy ones.

I noticed today that we had some platy fry (2) in the gravel, so we bought a breeding net and they are in there, seem to be happy but as yet have no cover. I might get some floating plants, because it seems to me that the light is very close to them at the top of the tank.

Anyhow, this was supposed to be a message simply thanking you fo your help, so there you go!

Many thanks!

COBettaCouple

you're welcome. We're sorry your platy had to be put down, but it was for the best. The platy fry might like a cave with small openings or a little tank of their own with a sponge filter and heater.. how big are they and can you tell what type they are?

loopy

we only have one type in the tank, I think they're sunset mickey mouse, so i presume the fry are too! one escaped through the gaps in the breeding container, i imagine he was eaten. the other is getting much bigger and looks like a fish!

unfortunately we're going away for a couple of days. the cats are sorted and i think the bigger fish will be fine, either with a weekend block or without, but i don't know what to do with baby platy. any suggestions?

Thanks

COBettaCouple

is an automatic feeder an option? probably they'd be ok if you feed them some before going and after getting back. are you using one of those breeder containers all made of netting? those are easier on the fry and they tend to not fall out of those.

loopy

None of the shops near me seem to sell the netting type. I had to get a plastic one. Automatic feeder's not possible: we looked at them but couldn't find one to feed the tank, and there aren't enough electric sockets available, without really overloading them. How about a little chip off weekend feeder in the breeding thing? I don't want it to die!

Also, we've taken the two female platys out and into another tank, as they were getting harassed by the male, and looking stressed. How long do you think thay can stay away from him for? More to the point, how long can he stay without platy friends?

Your advice is appreciated, as always! x

COBettaCouple

i think a small chip off a feeder might work.. if you can look for the holiday feeder that's like a big flat disc of food (made by tetra & i saw it at walmart).. that would be the most effective type of holiday feeder to take a piece off of and still get good food released. you could also feed the fry a little extra each day for a few days before leaving and they might have enough to make it 2 days without food and a piece of feeder would just be extra insurance that they'd not go hungry.

for that male, you might try leaving the females in the tank, taking him out for a while and rearranging the tank.. add more hiding spots, if possible. then acclimate the male back in and see if he's gotten his attitude adjusted.