slider6542

I have a fairly young Platy who is struggling to stay afloat, he will come up for food but every time he stops swimming, he sinks tothe bottom and stays there. What should I do?

Shawnie

what are the water parimeters and how long has the tank been running?

Lucy

I'm sorry your platy isn't feeling well.

I agree with Shawnie, it would help the members help you if you could fill in your aqaurium info.
When something goes wrong, the first thing to rule out is a problem with the water.
Sometime feeding him a few bits of thawed frozen shelled pea, about the size of his eye will help.

Unfortunately your tank is overstocked, which can lead to stress and illness.

slider6542

i Have tested the water and to my horror (it has never happened before)
amonia=0
nitrite=0
but nitrate was reading 40......therefore I have done a massive water change. I am surprised to hear that my aquarium is overstocked. The only reason on the platy side is the inevitable breeding, I have kept survivors so far.

Lucy

Thanks for filling out your info.

4 x Cardinals = 8
1 x BN Pleco = 4
7 x Platies = 14
1 x Blue Gourami = 6

32" of fish in a 23g tank. Probably why your nitrates are on the high side. You may need to step up the water changes.
The water change should help and see if he'll eat a couple bits of pea.

slider6542

Many thanks for the info, I will change a small amount of water every day as opposed to 30% once a week. To think I was poisoning the poor thing.
I am also thinking of removing the platies and substituting for non live bearers as I don't have the heart to get rid of survivors every time they breed.
Don't like the idea that i am overcrowded.

slider6542

I tested the water today after doing a 30% change yesterday and the Nitrate is still up at 40. The Platy is still on the bottom and sluggish, as is another platy. I have done another 30% water change and also washed the filter media in the water I took out. Am I doing enough?.

Lucy

It's odd that the water change didn't decrease the nitrates. You might want to do a 50% change, that should cut it in 1/2. The next day do another 50%, that should get your nitrates down to 10.
When you washed the media filter, was it in used tank water or treated tap water?

slider6542

It was in used tank water. I will do 50 % change as you suggest. The fish are still clinging on. Strange how others seem unaffected