Autumn8504

One of my Platys goes to the wall of the tank and acts like he is trying to either get out or get at something in the bottom of the tank. Usually he does this at the same spot in the tank. Over the last few days I've noticed that he seems to be scraping his scales off by rubbing back and forth on the gravel on both sides of his body while doing the aforementioned. I've also noticed that he hasn't put on weight since I got him (on 3/16/09) like my other platys, even though he seems to have a good appetite. He acts totally normal EXCEPT for scratching his scales on the rocks. He doesn't try scraping them on anything else though.

He is temporarily (until new 10 gallon cycles) living in a 5 gallon tank with two female platys, who have shown no symptoms. Water stats (listed on my tank info page) have been consistent since the tank was established in January, and 25-50% water changes happen ever week to every week and a half.

What do you think could be wrong with him? How can I fix it?

Attached are pictures of him with my other Platys. You can tell which one I'm talking about because he is the only male, he has a high fin, and he is the one with the scale damage that is especially noticeable next to the female who has similar coloration/patterns.

Attached Images

	Mostly Pets 013 b.JPG (51.2 KB, 49 views)
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	Mostly Pets 030 b.JPG (40.0 KB, 48 views)

cichlidsmad

he could have a parasite and he is trying to scratch it off.

i dont know how to get rid off it though

Tony G.

IMO your platy is showing symptoms of ICH, although he is missing the white, here's a link
http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/disease/p/ich.htm
if it is possible isolate him so he does not come in contact with the females since ICH reproduces and infects the rest of the fish.

aquarist48

If it is ICH then the entire tank is infected and has to be treated so there is no need for isolation Keep us posted.

capekate

As with ICH, your platy would have the physical signs of salt flakes on its body but you didnt mention seeing that and I dont think that it is ICH that is bothering your platy. It is possible however that it is internal parasites tho.
Its really so hard to say...
Best of luck with your little one, and I hope that you get a definitive diagnoses.

mare2009

IMO until you can get them in your bigger tank, maybe just turn the temperature up to 80-82..it should take care of the ICH, if that is the case, and see if he stops? I have a platy that does that and its not ICH, and hes fine. The whole tank is fine, its just his behavior.

Shawnie

id try a few water changes with some stress coat+ and see if you can find some driftwood to maybe lower the pH a bit....you have 7.6+ as the ph and im going to assume you dont have a high ph test kit and it could be higher? although platies do well in 7-8 range, it might be irritating them with the higher end and the stress coat+ will help allot with irritation...are you using salt at all? just curiuos as most of the fish we get now a days are NOT use to salt.. also with ich, the rubbing can start way before seeing signs so keep a good eye out on them for salt like white specs....just throwing out somethings that might be effecting it...they are beautiful platies and I hope things get better!

Autumn8504

Thank you everyone. I don't think it is ick...I have seen platys with ick before and as y'all mentioned there are no salt-like appearances on him. I think for now I'll raise the temperature just in case. I put a very small amount of salt in that tank when I first set it up, but not even a full dose and that was way back in January or February. I don't have any stress coat, but I'll look into it. I'm really not sure what else to do for the poor little guy at this point...If I do decide to medicate (which I've never done before) is it okay to medicate in their current tank with the UGF?