What Is Going On With My Fish????

I just recently got 4 platies, 1 swordtail (she was very pregnant and I didn't want her to give birth in the store), 1 oto catfish, and a small female betta. I have multiple questions, but unfortunately I don't have pictures. Okay, to start off, I found out after I bought them that there was 3 males and 1 female. The exact opposite of what it supposed to be, but I got a pregnant female sword, so that helps a tad bit. One male came down with fin rot I think, he has a white ring off fuzz that seems to be eating his tail and red dots on his tail that weren't there before, he is in a small tank by himself currently, I think he is sunburst platy or whatever that is, I was wondering how to cure it. My male blue mickey mouse platy has a gravid spot and my male gold twinbar platy stays right next to the mickey mouse platy with the gravid spot, like the entire time except feeding. So I was wondering if the mickey mouse platy was a female and her analfin got nipped and now it looks like a male, also he is HUGE, like an 1.5", all the others are like an inch, and he rubs on rocks and plants a lot. The female is a white mickey mouse platy is not pregnant thankfully. The betta fish is fine I think, but she can't flare correctly, she is like 8 wks old, she is a beautiful crowntail, she has a white body with dark pink fins. I was thinking of maybe breeding her with my male white veiltail that has blue speckles, he is gorgeous too. The pregnant female swordtail is a red wag swordtail and gave birth the night I got her. I have 11 fry now and 3 are black, they were born that way, and the others are normal colored babies, but they have 2 black spots on their tails. I have them in mason jars right now and I change their water every other day. I have the adults in a 10 gal, I know that is a little small, so I might get a 15gal or 20galtall. The parameters are:

Nitrate 20-40 ppm
Nitrite 0.5- 1 ppm
pH 7.5- 8
KH 40- 80
GH 120-180

Found that the test strips didn't have Ammonia after I bought them and I haven't been to the pet store since I got them. I know my parameters are off and I would like to know how to fix them. On my chart they are in the Ideal to Caution zone, they are not in the danger zone yet, but I would like to know from real people how to fix them.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!! I know I am failing. Oh, and I'm feeding the fry BBS and crushed flakes, occasionally egg yoke.

And I put in my female guppy and she seems happier. And I am doing a fish in cycle, I had some fish in the tank previously, but I had to get a new filter, so I am going to take a little bit of cycled filter media. I got the fish 4 days ago on Saturday, I'm keeping track because of my little fry.

 

How big is your aquarium and how long has been running? What is your filtration method?

Those nitrite levels indicate that the cycling has not finished yet, although it has started for sure (you have nitrites). I would get an API Master Freshwater kit, some nitrifying bacteria and Prime - and finish the cycling. Do water changes every day if necessary - the nitrites will kill your fish if you continue like this.

 

It's 10 gallons and it has been running 4 days. I use a 10I whisper filter. What percent of the water should I change?

I don't have enough money for an API master test kit, I've thought about it though. I know that I am VERY dumb. Sorry if I am wasting your time.

I'm going to the movies soon. I will reply when I get back.

I have a few more minutes.

 

A lot going on here. Okay.

I just recently got 4 platies, 1 swordtail (she was very pregnant and I didn't want her to give birth in the store), 1 oto catfish, and a small female betta.

It's 10 gallons and it has been running 4 days. I use a 10I whisper filter. What percent of the water should I change?

That's a lot of fish for a ten gallon with that filtration, especially if you're going to try to raise fry.
With the nitrites and possible ammonia you currently have, and the bioload? Do like 25-50% daily, or at least 50% every other day, making sure to gravel vac as well. Follow the previous advice given regarding Seachem Prime. Keep an eye on your test results and change the water accordingly. If you're in the caution zone, water change a good amount out. Your nitrates are nearly at a toxic level (once past 40) and already can hurt some weaker fish.

there was 3 males and 1 female. The exact opposite of what it supposed to be, but I got a pregnant female sword, so that helps a tad bit.

Not really. The males will most likely be fighting over her and it'll be a few months at least before the fry grow up to make any difference in the ratio. They may get along for a while, but eventually they'll probably be harassing the female, even when she's pregnant (I'm dealing with this exact situation currently).

One male came down with fin rot I think, he has a white ring off fuzz that seems to be eating his tail and red dots on his tail that weren't there before, he is in a small tank by himself currently, I think he is sunburst platy or whatever that is, I was wondering how to cure it.

Sounds like fungus. You'll need an antifungal to treat it. The poor water conditions isn't helping at all. I hope you're changing his water daily as well, he needs really clean water so he doesn't get worse.

My male blue mickey mouse platy has a gravid spot and my male gold twinbar platy stays right next to the mickey mouse platy with the gravid spot, like the entire time except feeding. So I was wondering if the mickey mouse platy was a female and her analfin got nipped and now it looks like a male, also he is HUGE, like an 1.5", all the others are like an inch, and he rubs on rocks and plants a lot

Rubbing on rocks and plants could be a sign of stress, parasites, basically nothing good. I can't sex them based off your description.

The female is a white mickey mouse platy is not pregnant thankfully.

That won't last long at all.

I was thinking of maybe breeding her with my male white veiltail that has blue speckles, he is gorgeous to

Are you sure you can handle that? You've got a lot of problems right now first and the ton of fry you'll get will need to be separated eventually.

I have 11 fry now and 3 are black, they were born that way, and the others are normal colored babies, but they have 2 black spots on their tails. I have them in mason jars right now and I change their water every other day. I have the adults in a 10 gal, I know that is a little small, so I might get a 15gal or 20galtall.

Okay, good. Sounds like they have a good diet too.

I know my parameters are off and I would like to know how to fix them

Addressed previously.

so I am going to take a little bit of cycled filter media

YES! That'll help. Use all the cycled filter media if you can.

I don't have enough money for an API master test kit,

This makes me concerned. If you don't have like $25, I'm worried that you won't be able to properly care for the fish you have. You should at least get Prime and an antifungal medicine and definitely ammonia strips if not the test kit. You won't know if your tank is cycled without knowing your ammonia levels. I honestly don't use the test kit either despite it being highly recommended and supposedly more accurate, but for my needs, I find the strips are better than nothing. Since you already have test strips and I personally think you should spend your money on other things to keep your fish alive, perhaps invest in the kit later on.

 

Just one thing that I want to add, I go to a Pet Supplies Plus, so they are either cheap or expensive. The test kit is $35ish. I will be getting more money soon. So then I can start with all the stuff u said.

 

Just one thing that I want to add, I go to a Pet Supplies Plus, so they are either cheap or expensive. The test kit is $35ish. I will be getting more money soon. So then I can start with all the stuff u said.

The test kit is $22 on Amazon if buying from there is an option.

 

Just one thing that I want to add, I go to a Pet Supplies Plus, so they are either cheap or expensive. The test kit is $35ish. I will be getting more money soon. So then I can start with all the stuff u said.

Yeah, way too expensive, it's cheaper online and even in PetCo and PetSmart

 

Sadly, the female platy was attacked sometime last night, and I found her dead this morning.

That's a lot of fish for a ten gallon with that filtration, especially if you're going to try to raise fry.

I am finding homes for as many fry as possible, I am only keeping 2 or 3 at most.

 

Sadly, the female platy was attacked sometime last night, and I found her dead this morning.

Oh no

 

RIP Minnie the White Mickey Mouse Platy.⚰⚰⚰