Platy remain at bottom of the tank

Hi everyone. I have a question if some experts can help me here.
I have my fish tank already more than a year, of course all is cycled and my parameters are always a high priority to me.
Already checked all main parameters, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Also PH all under ranges, as I always had them all along. All my fish have never been sick and I am very careful with my maintenance.
Although, i have noticed that since almost 2 weeks ago, only one of my male Platys stayed at the bottom of the tank like if he is agitated or breathing very fast, and when I am gonna feed them, he comes right up to eat just a few bites and then he goes back at his corner and remain there almost all day and night. The rest of my fish are fine. Also, none of the fish have ever picked on him, so I know for sure he has not been bullied.
Does anyone have any other ideas of what this could be please?
Also, it might be worth to mention that he is the only one who is currently father or dad of 8 baby fry i got in the tank. The mom is perfectly fine.
I would really appreciate your help guys.

Also, the first picture is from his "wife"
The mom of all his children

first put in hospital
here this might help

It could be a swim bladder problem. When he swims up to get food does it look like he’s dragged back to the bottom ? Other than that how old is he ?

Crunchycrouton said:

It could be a swim bladder problem. When he swims up to get food does it look like he’s dragged back to the bottom ? Other than that how old is he ?

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Yes, indeed those symptoms you mentioned he does. Coz I see he doesn't swim very well. He might be around one year and a half by now. Not that old though. If it is a swim bladder problem, what options do i have with him? Any ideas?

jclv said:

Yes, indeed those symptoms you mentioned he does. Coz I see he doesn't swim very well. He might be around one year and a half by now. Not that old though. If it is a swim bladder problem, what options do i have with him? Any ideas?

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Try to get him to eat peas. All your fish can eat peas. I feed my goldfish peas everyday to make sure they don’t get swim bladder problems. To get the peas read just get a bowl with water and put 1-3 peas in it, microwave it for 15-30 seconds, then peel the skin off. Just squish the pea near the end so the inside comes out. Don’t feed them the skin. Above all, just make sure that he eats something..

Crunchycrouton said:

Try to get him to eat peas. All your fish can eat peas. I feed my goldfish peas everyday to make sure they don’t get swim bladder problems. To get the peas read just get a bowl with water and put 1-3 peas in it, microwave it for 15-30 seconds, then peel the skin off. Just squish the pea near the end so the inside comes out. Don’t feed them the skin. Above all, just make sure that he eats something..

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Thank you very much! I will try that. For how many days should I feed him with peas only? And not the commercial food anymore

Also one more doubt. And why he is always eating when I throw food to the other fish?
And also, swim bladder is not when their belly is inflated or big? Coz he looks skinnier everyday with no belly at all

jclv said:

Thank you very much! I will try that. For how many days should I feed him with peas only? And not the commercial food anymore

Also one more doubt. And why he is always eating when I throw food to the other fish?
And also, swim bladder is not when their belly is inflated or big? Coz he looks skinnier everyday with no belly at all

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Swim bladder CAN make the belly appear bigger, but not all the time. It’s good that he still had the energy to eat.. I say feed him the pea for two days, then fast him for a day (don’t feed anything) so all the food can pass. Then repeat the process if he isn’t better. Swim bladder can be caused by constipation.

Crunchycrouton said:

Swim bladder CAN make the belly appear bigger, but not all the time. It’s good that he still had the energy to eat.. I say feed him the pea for two days, then fast him for a day (don’t feed anything) so all the food can pass. Then repeat the process if he isn’t better. Swim bladder can be caused by constipation.

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Thanks a lot. Truly appreciated. I will start his treatment and update

jclv said:

Thanks a lot. Truly appreciated. I will start his treatment and update

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Okay! Good luck, I really hope he gets better.

Crunchycrouton said:

Okay! Good luck, I really hope he gets better.

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Sorry one last 2 questions , coz it came to my mind.
Should i cook the peas? Like they had to be cooked? Just the way they came from the supermarket? I just put it 20 secs like you said and threw away the peel but I was just in doubt if it had to be totally cooked or just like that?

My other question is, for how long I should leave those peas from today? All day? Or just a couple hours and then just take them all out? Coz I don't want it to be built into ammonia later. So should I vaccumm it after some hours? Or something like that?


Some pics attached. He is laying down in his own emergency room though

jclv said:

Sorry one last 2 questions , coz it came to my mind.
Should i cook the peas? Like they had to be cooked? Just the way they came from the supermarket? I just put it 20 secs like you said and threw away the peel but I was just in doubt if it had to be totally cooked or just like that?

My other question is, for how long I should leave those peas from today? All day? Or just a couple hours and then just take them all out? Coz I don't want it to be built into ammonia later. So should I vaccumm it after some hours? Or something like that?


Some pics attached. He is laying down in his own emergency room though

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Yes, if he isn’t eating them within an hour you can take them out a try again tomorrow. You don’t need to cook them, your doing well with what your doing now. You can do a small water change if it makes you feel better.

Crunchycrouton said:

Yes, if he isn’t eating them within an hour you can take them out a try again tomorrow. You don’t need to cook them, your doing well with what your doing now. You can do a small water change if it makes you feel better.

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Thanks a lot! Totally appreciated and have a happy new year!!!

jclv said:

Thanks a lot! Totally appreciated and have a happy new year!!!

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You welcome, you too!

jclv said:

Thanks a lot! Totally appreciated and have a happy new year!!!

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I hope you don't mind me asking, but how's the platy ?

Crunchycrouton said:

I hope you don't mind me asking, but how's the platy ?

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Hello Crunchycrouton, my platy died few days after. Unfortunately we misdiagnosed the problem. The real issue was actually that they have parasites so I am right now treating them for that and the other ones who started to have the same issue or symptoms, are now slowly recovering and getting better. Even their feces are slowing changing their colors and getting back on track. I am using metronidazole + garlic extract when I feed them . It is the best I could get since we don't have metroplex and focus from seachem here. So far they are getting better so I guess this is how we all learn along the way.
I will try to post after weeks of how it all went, so the experience remains here for future reference. Thanks a lot for asking though