Fish Addict

I noticed that my female platy has been staying at the top of my tank, not always taking air, but still staying up there... also I noticed that when it swims around it is tilted up... what is wrong with my platy (if anything)?

heartsongsinger

Get your tank's water tested. It could be a problem with the water. Check for pH, nitrites, nitrates, and ammonia. Also is there anything funny with the scales or gills? If you can get pics

Fish Addict

I tested yesterday.. pH 7-7.5, ammonia & nitrite 0, nitrate 10. I did not notice anything weird with it at all.. I did do a big remake of my tank on Sunday though...

heartsongsinger

your fish could be stressed water level is normal. I'd keep an eye on it for a few days and see if anything else develops. You really don't want to start medicating the tank because it could cause a mini cycle

Fish Addict

I just noticed the fish has a chunk out of its tail too! it also wasn't eating much when I fed it...

heartsongsinger

ok. do you have a breeding net or box? you need to seperate it incase it was attacked. please get me a pic

Fish Addict

can't until tomorrow... but I will then!

clinton1621

It sounds like a bacterial infection and tail rot... which could be related to stress from rearranging the tank and stirring up bacteria from the gravel. If it seems to be getting worse then you will need to treat it with an antibacterial med.

heartsongsinger

clinton is right. read the back of what ever you get. if you have a good fish store go there.

Fish Addict

hmm.. maybe... it definitely looks like a clean cut in the tail, so i'm not sure if it is fin rot...

COBettaCouple

Do you have aeration in the tank? I'd recommend that if you don't and treating the water with Prime. Vita-Chem, Fish Protector and/or Garlic Guard would all help with the fin damage.

Fish Addict

Yes, i have an air stone... Its fin was a lot worse, bigger holes, reddish around where it is missing...
I put it in the breeding box...

heartsongsinger

I agree with COBettaCouple. You need to make sure that the fin heals up and doesn't get infected

COBettaCouple

He'll probably do better out of the breeding box. Those tend to be stressful and stress can do a lot of damage.

clinton1621

I still say its a bacterial infection causing fin rot, the spreading and the reddish areas pretty much confirms it.

Fish Addict

Yes I think it was fin rot... Today when I found her, her whole caudal fin was almost completely gone, all the way up to the mickey mouse, and her dorsal fin was tattered...
Unfortunately she has passed away...
Do you think my other fish can catch it?
Tomorrow I am supposed to go to a fish auction, and get plants and maybe a few fish... What can I get?

Fish Addict

Can someone please help? I might be getting new fish tomorrow! And I want to know if it is contagious!

clinton1621

Yes some bacterial infections are contagious... I would wait a couple of weeks to make sure none of the other fish get sick before you add anything else to the tank.

Fish Addict

Would it prob. be fin rot, since its fins got worse, even when there weren't any fish with it...

clinton1621

Fin rot is just an infection, not a disease. It can be caused by bacterial infections, fungal infections, or from wounds caused by nipping and parasites.