Platy emergency

HI guys I just got home from work and my FAVORITE platy, Darren, is floating nose upwards at the top of the tank. And his fins are clamped! Help! I don't think it's my water and there are no signs of exterior bacteria. I did a small water change just in case. Please help! I cannot bare the idea of him dying! I have two other fish in the tank and they seem fine. Please!

 

What r your water parameters & tank size? Is he eating? Or gasping at the water surface?

 

You sure he's a male? Agree with SnarkyXTS, water parameters and tank size can help us help.

 

Yes, he's male. Water parameters:
Temp: 77
Nirtrite:0
Ammonia:0
Nitrate: 42

Tank size: 20 x 10 x 12

 

Any new fish added? What are the others? I'm not sure how much help I'll be, so I hope others can help out.

 

No. All of them have been there for more than a month. The others are another platy, Maureen, and a very cute honey gourami, Francis.

 

Do you have good air circulation? Do you have an air pump? I'd do daily water changes until this is figured out. Also could you add a photo?

 

Update: He's now at the bottom barely breathing I'm so sad right now. His fins are clamped so tight. What can I do?!

 

Try doing another pwc change since your nitrate is a little high for having just done a pwc prior (Kind of weird). Is your gourami territorial? Could it have bullied the sick platy? I've only had dwarf gouramis so I'm not familiar with yours. My DGs would sometimes chase my platies/mollies away if they got too close.
Does the sick platy look sickly? Thin or wasting away?

 

No, Francis (the gourami) is the sweetest and very peaceful. He looks fine which is the weird thing... A tiny bit plump but fine. Ill do another pwc right now

 

Update: There's decreased movement in fins and currently laying on his side. What do I do? Ive had fish die before but I haven't seen it happen. Darren

 

So sorry to hear he's not doing well. Do you think maybe he has an internal parasite? Did u ever see him have stingy poop?
If you really think he's suffering, maybe euthanize . It sucks to have to do it but I've used clove oil to euthanize when my fish is beyond the point of being saved. I'm so sorry more people haven't posted.

 

Since this is an emergency and the situation is growing worse, here's something to consider doing before you euthanize Darren.

Get a bucket, or even better a spare tank. Fill it up with water from your tap, double dose the quantity with whatever water conditioner you have (Prime is the best, but API and Tetra both contain aloe vera). Stir the water to make sure the conditioner is evenly spread out. Make sure that the water temperature from your tap is as close to the temperature in your tank. Place an air bubbler into the container to oxygenate the water. Wait 3 minutes to make sure that the chlorine has been neutralized. Gently net your fish and place him into the container. Turn off any ambient light. If you have any aquarium salt, consider putting 1/4-1/2 tsp per 10 gallons. However, I'd be careful with the salt as it may shock the fish.

As a warning, I haven't done this method myself; I'm only thinking of what I would logically do in a similar situation. Truthfully, I don't know exactly what you can do. This is really just a last-ditch effort to place the fish in a pure, oxygenated environment, but the additional stress may kill your fish. Proceed with caution.

 

I'd separate him as well. Another thing to consider before euthanasia, is you don't know what he has, whether it's just his time or he has something. If it is a parasite or disease, then right now he's your best bet on figuring out what's in your tank. I'm sorry he's not doing well and I hope he gets feeling better soon.

 

Update?