trish_norris

I have a Mickey Mouse Platy and there is something hanging from underneath by it's fin, my husband says it's poop but it is about 1/4 inch long and it appears to me that it is thicker than poop does anyone know what it might be?

kra-z-fishmumm

got a pic? what color? M or F fishy? It is prob. poop. depending on how he's eating sometimes it's bigger than other.

trish_norris

It is the same color as it's flesh, I don't know how to tell if m or f. I will try to get a pic.

trish_norris

Just looked again it looks more like poop now. If he were a person i would say he was constipated LOL.

finmama

Platys can have pretty fat poops sometimes because they gobble food so quickly. If he seems to have trouble getting it out you can feed him a little piece of a defrosted pea. Take the skin off first.

trish_norris

thank you all advice is appreciated! I do have one more question, am i supposed to turn their light off for any length of time or can it stay on all the time?

finmama

You are only supposed to have it on 8-10 hrs I think. I leave mine on 12 sometimes. I wouldnt go any longer than that though.

ShaynaB

I leave my lights on for 10 hours a day. (Set on a timer. They're amazing things, really.) I've heard of people leaving lights on anywhere between 6 and 12 hours. Fish need a day time and a night time, just like us!

More light sometimes means more algae... Just watch for it! Good luck!

trish_norris

what time do you have your timer set to turn them on and off I have a timer I can put the light on I just thought it would make a cool night light. hopefully one day I won't be so clueless about things. But I guess that is why someone came up with this site

ShaynaB

I have it set to turn the lights on at 12 when I come home from work and off at 10 at night. The reason for the dark period is that the fish need rest, too.

There are things called Moon Lights that I've been looking at as well. They're colored LED lights that people say don't bother the fish while they sleep... And it could be enough lighting to be an effective night light. I was looking at getting blue ones or something to that effect. You could google them and see if they're what you're looking for!

It's ok, we were all clueless owners at one point or another. You'll catch on quick enough! (Don't be surprised if the more you read about the fish on here, the more you'll want more aquariums... I started with 1 aquarium... HA. The people on here like to propagate MTS, or Multiple Tank Syndrome.)

joshthefisherman

theirs to many fish out their to have just one lol

trish_norris

I am just glad i found this sight! also, I asked a question earlier about the amount of fish I could have in one tank, however I was wrong about the size. It's 20 gallons and I have 4 platies and four cherry barbs. Is that ok? and do I have room to add any later if I wanted to? I think I am already addicted to all of this!!!!!

ShaynaB

4 Platys at 2 inches each: 8 inches
4 Cherry barbs at 1.5 to 2 inches each: 8 inches (being cautious)

So that makes the grand total 16 inches.

If you want to put anything else in there, I'd put two more cherry barbs. They're schooling fish and would probably be more comfy with at least 6.

If you overstock, it just means more tank maintenance and being really really careful about your water. It's good that you're here!

trish_norris

Thanks I love this sight I hope I don't drive anyone nuts it's just this new undertaking is very important to me. I want to do it right.