Dead Sunburst Platy

[LittleFish]

This is my first fish to pass away, and it is sad, not only for losing the fish but also because I wonder if it something I have done. One minute all the fish were happy feeding, the next it was lying at the bottom of the tank.

My set-up is a 112 Litre / 24.5 Gal Tank, internal filter, 26oC. Containing 6 X Lemon Tetra, and up until recently 6 X Sunburst Platies. They are fed mainly on pellet foods, but today I gave them a treat. 1 X frozen blood worm block approx 1cm3. This, they all seemed to enjoy. Today is also the first time I have fed them on consecutive days, up until now it has been once every other day. I was told not to overfeed by my lfs. It was shortly after this feeding that the fish died. Could it be due to the blood worm?

I removed the fish as soon as I noticed, but don't think there was any fowl play. I then tested the water...

Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 0, pH 8.2 (This has increased from 7.5 over the past week, but I don't know why, as I have only carried out a weekyly 10% water change. Tapwater locally, seems to have a pH of 7. The tank has been running for 9 weeks, and has had fish for 3 of those. It was a fishless cycle using Hagen Cycle and an ammonia source.

Although, the fish seem healthy, especially the Tetras, the Platies do seem to go to the toilet a lot. There is always one doing the business most times of the day. Is this normal?

I have concluded that it may well be due to the pH (can fish or plants affect this?) or bloodworm but would like to know if anyone has any better ideas, as I am very knew to keeping fish, but want to to do a good job. Thanks in advance LittleFish

 

[playfulalliecat]

I am very sorry to hear about your fish, it always hurts to lose one.

The only thing I really see that could be a problem is the rise in ph. Do you have bogwood, seashells, or anything like that? Anything that can dissolve and leach into the water could play with your ph. I wouldn't think the bloodworms would have done it.

As for the platys going to the toilet a lot, ours are always doing their business. Seems like they have a constant stream coming out. Sounds gross but its true.

I wish I could help but other than something in your tank playing with your ph, I can't think of anything. Maybe someone else will have a better answer for you.

 

[William]

How long have you had your fish?

 

[LittleFish]

I have had the Tetras for nearly 3 weeks and the platies for just over a week.

 

[ostrow]

William that's just what I was thinking. LF how big was that platy that died? I've got a hunch it could just have been a heart attack or stroke and it just died. Maybe from all the excitement over the treat

But it is hard to know for sure. On the pH, how many times did you test it? The other night I tested and it showed 9 My water is always 7.8. So I took the tube, rinsed it real good and tested again. 7.8 Point is, you might have put one too many drops in the tube, or not enough water, or there may have been residue from a previous test. Never know.

Anyway, watch, wait and hope it was an isolated incident.

If not, and if you see no outward signs of stress (spots, wounds, etc) on the other fish, but fish continue to get sick/die then you would start to think internal parasites.

But the most likely is the fish was over a year old and it was his time.

 

[LittleFish]

I am starting to think that too. Just unlucky I guess. Although I have been told that sea shells can raise the pH, so I have removed those (even though they were bought specifically bought from a local shop for the purpose of placing in my tank) and carried out several small water changes to lower the pH. All the other fish seem fine, one of the platies has even had fry. I didn't even know she was carrying

I suppose I will learn more in time... Forums like this are good for newbies to the hobby and I hope I will become a better fishkeeper.

 

[Teresa]

I had a platy that died a few weeks after purchase, I think that it had a stroke as the other female I bought from the same tank at the same time is still doing fine.

Dont let it undermine your confidence, I have lost no more fish this way and it has been three months since I lost the platy.

Sometimes it is just time

But fishkeeping is good fun and baby platys are great!

 

[Tanked]

I'm with allie on the poops alot fatctor. we have 2 in our tank, a red wagtail and a mickey mouse. for such little fish they seem to be giant waste machines.

 

[-=DG=-]

Substrate and rocks can also raise the ph. Best make sure they are inert. I had this problem when i bought some cheese and spagetti rock, which make the water more alkaline.

 

[biffyg]

I've just had exactly the same problem after feeding my 3 platys and 1 frog. After I fed them bloodworm last night, mainly for the frogs benefit, i came down to find one on the bottom this morning!! only just started my tank too a few weeks ago. they did seem to eat and poop a hell of a lot though!!