My platys are dying one by one, each of the dead platys had damaged skin and couldn't swim anymore. The platys live in a 12 gallon tank along with 2 tinfoil barbs and other mollies, and I really think it's because of the tinfoil barbs but I might be wrong. This is my first time having an aquarium and it would be a great help if any of you give me some tips.
ClownLurch
Fish Gatherer
Put some pictures up of the Platy skin damage.
What are the tank dimensions? Length x width x height.
How many fish have you of each type?
How many fish in total?
Is the tank cycled?
What are the tank dimensions? Length x width x height.
How many fish have you of each type?
How many fish in total?
Is the tank cycled?
What are the water conditions in the tank - ammonia, nitrite and nitrate? And the hardness?
Are you aware that tinfoil barbs grow to almost the the size of your tank, 30 to 35 cm/12 to 14 inches? They need a tank with a footprint at least 210 x 60 cm/7 x 2 feet, and in a group of at least 6. Fish which are kept in a tank that's too small and with not enough of shoaling fish become very stressed and this manifest itself in 2 ways - they either hide all the time or they become aggressive.
Platies and mollies also need a tank bigger than 12 gallons, which will be stressing them - and stressed fish get sick more easily.
Are you aware that tinfoil barbs grow to almost the the size of your tank, 30 to 35 cm/12 to 14 inches? They need a tank with a footprint at least 210 x 60 cm/7 x 2 feet, and in a group of at least 6. Fish which are kept in a tank that's too small and with not enough of shoaling fish become very stressed and this manifest itself in 2 ways - they either hide all the time or they become aggressive.
Platies and mollies also need a tank bigger than 12 gallons, which will be stressing them - and stressed fish get sick more easily.
50x25x30 centimeters
About 15Mollies, 10 platys, 2 tinfoil barbs, 2 snails
About 30 fishes. Now that I think of it, I think I put to much fishes
I just woke up and found another one but worse
50x25x30 centimeters
About 15Mollies, 10 platys, 2 tinfoil barbs, 2 snails
About 30 fishes. Now that I think of it, I think I put to much fishes
OH no... I don't know the water conditions and the hardness, how to know?
I didn't know anything about them until I searched about it, I thought they would not attack a school of fishes and I was thinking when they are too big for the tank I will give them away to someone else
Can we see pictures and a short video of the fish swimming funny in the tank?
Have you checked the water for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH?
Do a 75% water change and gravel clean the substrate every day for at least a week or until we work out what is wrong.
Make sure any new water is free of chlorine/ chloramine before it's added to the tank.
Have you checked the water for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH?
Do a 75% water change and gravel clean the substrate every day for at least a week or until we work out what is wrong.
Make sure any new water is free of chlorine/ chloramine before it's added to the tank.
Yeah,i really think it's the ammonia
I don't know how to add a video but most of the fishes go to the surface and one of my snails started floating around
I haven't checked on the water quality yet because I didn't think it was necessary until now but the closest fish market/store to my home is still quite far. So, I will go buy the measurements and the chemicals needed next Friday when my parents don't have work
For now I will do water exchange everyday until I can buy all the stuff needed and thank you
How did you cycle the tank?
I think the tank cycle was my biggest mistake. I only left the tank for a few hours because I bought the fish and the tank on the same day and I was worried that the fish would not like being in a plastic bag for so long. I have lost 5 platys now
Ohhh so your doing a 30 fish cycle.... do you know anybody with an established tank ? You could ask them for some old filter media or plants wood rocks ect to add to your tank to speed things up , also bottled bacteria such as api quick start will help , unfortunately it seems like a lack of research has come back to bite you but that’s how we learn can’t always get it right , hope everything sorts it’s self out for you
Unfortunately nobody that I know owns an aquarium but i will buy the right things that my fishes need soon and improve myself in this hobby. I am very thankful for the help
Upload the video to YouTube then copy & paste the link here. We can view it at YouTube.
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