What is wrong with my platy

Animefishes

Animefishes

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I think my platy is sick, she recently gave birth and her scales are turning greenish like aged copper, she doesn't do much and is always in the front top corner, unless she gets scared
I'll try to get a pic but she is jumpy
 

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  • Thread Starter
  • #3
Tank

What is the water volume of the tank?
10 gallons
How long has the tank been running?
4 to 5 months
Does it have a filter? Yes
Does it have a heater? Yes
What is the water temperature? Around 76
What is the entire stocking of this tank? (Please list all fish and inverts.)
5 pygmy Cory catfish, 3 platies, platy fry (not sure how much) 1 fancy guppy, 1 mystery snail
Maintenance
How often do you change the water? Twice a month
How much of the water do you change? 1/3
What do you use to treat your water?
Seed and pH raiser
Do you vacuum the substrate or just the water?
Yes
*Parameters - Very Important
Did you cycle your tank before adding fish?
Yes, for 3 weeks
What do you use to test the water?
Aquarium test strips
What are your parameters? We need to know the exact numbers, not just “fine” or “safe”.

Ammonia:It doesn't say
Nitrite:0.5
Nitrate:40
pH: 7.0

Feeding
How often do you feed your fish?
Twice a day
How much do you feed your fish?
About a pinch of flakes
What brand of food do you feed your fish?
Sera tropical flakes
Do you feed frozen or freeze-dried foods?
No
Illness & Symptoms
How long have you had this fish?
4 months
How long ago did you first notice these symptoms?
A week ago
In a few words, can you explain the symptoms?
Scales turning green
Not active
Scared of other fish
Have you started any treatment for the illness?
I have done a water change but that is all
Was your fish physically ill or injured upon purchase?
No
How has its behavior and appearance changed, if at all?


Explain your emergency situation in detail. (Please give a clear explanation of what is going on, include details from the beginning of the illness leading up to now)

Sorry, I couldn't get a pic, the camera on my phone is terrible, I'm getting a new one soon
 
  • Thread Starter
  • #4
My female platy is constantly in the top left back corner of my aquarium lately, she used to come out when I came near the tank but now she won't move, she is breathing and treading but staying in the same area

I think she is being bullied but that doesn't explain why she is suddenly not coming to the front of the tank

Please can someone help, this was my first fish and my favorite fish
 

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  • Thread Starter
  • #8
She is angled tail fin down head up at an around 70 degree angle
She has a white spot on her stomach near her analfin like she's pregnant but when she was pregnant before she acted different

Tank

What is the water volume of the tank?
10 gallons
How long has the tank been running?
4 to 5 months
Does it have a filter? Yes
Does it have a heater? Yes
What is the water temperature? Around 76
What is the entire stocking of this tank? (Please list all fish and inverts.)
5 pygmy Cory catfish, 3 platies, platy fry (not sure how much) 1 fancy guppy, 1 mystery snail
Maintenance
How often do you change the water? Twice a month
How much of the water do you change? 1/3
What do you use to treat your water?
Seed and pH raiser
Do you vacuum the substrate or just the water?
Yes
*Parameters - Very Important
Did you cycle your tank before adding fish?
Yes, for 3 weeks
What do you use to test the water?
Aquarium test strips
What are your parameters? We need to know the exact numbers, not just “fine” or “safe”.

Ammonia:It doesn't say
Nitrite:0.5
Nitrate:40
pH: 7.0

Feeding
How often do you feed your fish?
Twice a day
How much do you feed your fish?
About a pinch of flakes
What brand of food do you feed your fish?
Sera tropical flakes
Do you feed frozen or freeze-dried foods?
No
Illness & Symptoms
How long have you had this fish?
4 months
How long ago did you first notice these symptoms?
A week ago
In a few words, can you explain the symptoms?
Scales turning green
Not active
Scared of other fish
Have you started any treatment for the illness?
I have done a water change but that is all
Was your fish physically ill or injured upon purchase?
No
How has its behavior and appearance changed, if at all?
∆∆∆
∆∆∆
∆∆∆

Explain your emergency situation in detail. (Please give a clear explanation of what is going on, include details from the beginning of the illness leading up to now)
The green was bad at the beginning but I felt that help wasn't needed, the scales are getting better but suddenly scared of my male platy, as soon as he is close to her she freaks out and swims away
 
Tank

What is the water volume of the tank?
10 gallons
How long has the tank been running?
4 to 5 months
Does it have a filter? Yes
Does it have a heater? Yes
What is the water temperature? Around 76
What is the entire stocking of this tank? (Please list all fish and inverts.)
5 pygmy Cory catfish, 3 platies, platy fry (not sure how much) 1 fancy guppy, 1 mystery snail
Click to expand...
I breed platys and it seems like swim bladder. Check out the fishlore swim bladder page for details on how to treat. Being scared of the male is normal but to stress her less buy another female that looks like her. Try salt. I have no idea why her scales are green. Try googling it. That's all I can say!

also, increase water changes! I'm not an expert just beware, only had my first tank for 6months! I wish your platy luck! Also just get a terrible pic, its better than nothin
 
  • Thread Starter
  • #10
also, increase water changes
Click to expand...
Thanks, the green went away (that was the emergency template that I used in a thread for this that no one responded to) but I have another platy that looks like her and it works to a point but thank you again
 
Thanks, the green went away (that was the emergency template that I used in a thread for this that no one responded to) but I have another platy that looks like her and it works to a point but thank you again
Click to expand...
Try aquarium salt or green peas

I think she is improving if the green went away
 

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  • Thread Starter
  • #12
How do I do salt without messing with the other fish

I'll figure it out but for now I'll feed peas
 
  • Thread Starter
  • #14
good idea! you could isolate her!
Click to expand...
I have a bucket that I will put her In, will the salt shock her or kill her

How do I get her to eat it, now u just have prices of broken up Costco defrosted peas in my water
 
I would siphon the peas out and I really see no reason to be feeding them in this situation.

I have a couple questions. What do you mean the ammonia "doesn't say"? What is the "seed and PH raiser" you're using and how much? Are you dechlorinating your water?

That nitrite reading is concerning.
 
I agree with mimo, I feel like not enough info was given. Also- as a livebearer breeder, this doesn't really sound like swim bladder. Don't isolate her! That will put her under a lot of unnecessary stress.

I also have reason to think that your tank may be overstocked... you have quite a lot of high-waste fish in that 10g. I'd recommend at least upgrading to a 20g breeder soon, maybe?
 
I agree with mimo, I feel like not enough info was given. Also- as a livebearer breeder, this doesn't really sound like swim bladder. Don't isolate her! That will put her under a lot of unnecessary stress.

I also have reason to think that your tank may be overstocked... you have quite a lot of high-waste fish in that 10g. I'd recommend at least upgrading to a 20g breeder soon, maybe?
Click to expand...
I agree, do not isolate unless you have another empty 10 gallon or equivalent tote. I personally find that breeder boxes and nets really are not a good choice with live bearers despite how often you hear them suggested. I don't even own one.
 
  • Thread Starter
  • #18
I used aquavitro seed to cycle my tank and sea chem pH neutral regulator
The test strips doesn't have an ammonia reader
The fish honestly look like only 4 fish
 
I agree, do not isolate unless you have another empty 10 gallon or equivalent tote. I personally find that breeder boxes and nets really are not a good choice with live bearers despite how often you hear them suggested. I don't even own one.
Click to expand...
Yes! And to third this, your isolation tank would need to be pre-cycled.

Breeder boxes aren't good either, yeah- I only use them to hold newborn fry.

I used aquavitro seed to cycle my tank and sea chem pH neutral regulator
The test strips doesn't have an ammonia reader
The fish honestly look like only 4 fish
Click to expand...
I'm sorry, what do you mean by they only look like 4 fish?

The wasteload doesn't change based on how many fish you see.
 
How long has the tank had fish in? If you've never tested ammonia and you're currently showing nitrite it sounds like maybe the tank might not be properly cycled.
 
  • Thread Starter
  • #21
There are 4 big fish the rest are pygmy Cory catfish
How do I get an ammonia check without making a trip to the fish store
I let it cycle for 3 weeks before adding fish than waited 2 more to add the rest of the fish

I need to make a trip to the store anyways, the general hardness is low so I need limestone
 

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There are 4 big fish the rest are pygmy Cory catfish
How do I get an ammonia check without making a trip to the fish store
I let it cycle for 3 weeks before adding fish than waited 2 more to add the rest of the fish
Click to expand...
It does not really matter the size of the fish, they still produce constant waste. You can only have mayyybe 3 platies in that size tank, and ONLY if they're all female, otherwise you'll never stop having babies. The snail is also a BIG waste producer.

Your tank, frankly, has too much stock. Hate to say it.
Not to mention, the fry will all grow up to be full size.

You'll have to make a trip to the fish store, that's the only real way to get one on short notice.
 
  • Thread Starter
  • #23
It does not really matter the size of the fish, they still produce constant waste. You can only have mayyybe 3 platies in that size tank, and ONLY if they're all female, otherwise you'll never stop having babies. The snail is also a BIG waste producer.

Your tank, frankly, has too much stock. Hate to say it.
Not to mention, the fry will all grow up to be full size.

You'll have to make a trip to the fish store, that's the only real way to get one on short notice.
Click to expand...
I get and have known about the stock problem for awhile now but the fry get eaten or smth because I don't control the birth and I don't know how to deal with waste so help with that would be nice

I get and have known about the stock problem for awhile now but the fry get eaten or smth because I don't control the birth and I don't know how to deal with waste so help with that would be nice
Click to expand...
I have also never isolated a fish (other than when one of the platys was pregnant)

The platy has also come out of hiding but the scales are back

And, none of the other fish are like this
 
Ok pause im still confused. From the day you added the fish until today, how many days has that been? And were you adding a source of ammonia previously? How did you make a determination that the tank had cycled?
 
  • Thread Starter
  • #25
I made no means of figuring out the cycling thing, but after a few weeks the water became clear
I have never done anything to do with ammonia sadly
And I have had this fish for 4 months
 
  • Thread Starter
  • #27
I would invest in an API master test kit and take some readings.
Click to expand...
Thanks so much, all that I've been getting it questions and no answers

I got the kit and took tests, the pH is a little high but that should be fixed by now, there was a tiny bit of ammonia in there but I did a water change and I might take more tests to see if there is change
 
Dont worry about the ph. Its ok if its a little high. Honestly the fish is prob sick cuz the ammonia and nitrites, then u adding ph regulator and the stress of an overstocked tank. A pic of the scales would help tremendously. Messing with the ph is going to cause a crash or swings which is more harmful than a slightly high CONSTANT ph. What do u use to dechlorinate the water? And changing the water only twice a month isnt great. I would do atleast 50% a week and that will help any problems ur fish are having. Make sure the temp matches the tank and ur dechlorinating it. Again, please post a pic if u can
 
  • Thread Starter
  • #29
I can't get a pic because of my camera, but I put her in darkness so she doesn't get too stressed

My ph regulator dechlorinates the water the

I have also been doing a 30 percent water change daily
 
  • Thread Starter
  • #31
B
U just said that the ph was a little high when u last checked....what was it?
Click to expand...
Before when I first checked it was 7.2
I'm about to check again though
Also, cool dog
 
The pH is fixed now
Click to expand...
What is the ph of the tap water u use? Let some water sit in a cup for 24hrs and check the ph after 24hrs. Whatever the ph is from ur tap is what u want ur tanks ph to be. That ph junk ur using will prob cause u issues in the long run. U dont need a certain ph unless u have extremely fragile/sensitive fish. U need to let the ph be whatever it is. For a water dechlorinator everyone here and everyone i know who keeps fish use Seachem Prime. My ph is 8.2 so its high but its ok if its not swinging
 
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