Is my platy okay?

[SusieJG]

My male sunset platy is moping around but I can't determine if he is ill or just moody. He seems to be staying in one place more than usual with all his fins (particularly his top fin) slicked back. He doesn't appear to have any external spots or anything on him and he is eating just fine. He also gave a pretty good chase when I tried to take him from the tank to the hospital tank for observation. While he was swimming around his fins looked just fine, but afterwards (about an hour later) it was like he went to sleep and they drooped again or something. I noticed that when he was hanging out near the bottom a couple of my guppies seemed to be pushing him by jabbing their noses into his side. When they do this he seems to lean over to the side a bit for a few seconds and then rights himself. My water levels are fine, although I keep the tank at a relatively high PH/temp (8.6/79 degrees). The nitrates are a little high because I have lots of live plants, but still in the safe zone and are pretty stable. Everyone else in the tank seems to be just fine, including my 2 other platties. Should I be concerned?

Thanks!

 

[Angry_Platy]

He may be moody, my platies get like that from time to time....usually the females though

It may just be resting....or it could be a sign of an impending illness...

If you do have a quarantine/hospital tank I would put him in there with some aquarium salt (buy this from your LFS....do not use table salt as it is toxic)....following the directions on the packet.....

Chances are that since he is eating and acting otherwise normally he will be OK!!

Keep us updated

 

[breezer40]

Thats some good advice from Chooklet. A while ago I had a platy that was acting like yours. He was hanging in one place looking very sorry for himself and fins flat. I managed to get him to the hospital tank and added aquarium salt and left him with the lights out so as not to stress him. Within 24 hours he was back to himself (chasing the ladies)

 

[SusieJG]

Thanks for the advice. Right now BOTH of my quarintine tanks are tied up. One with a whole mess of squirmy little newborns and the other with a badly beaten betta. The second one should be free in a few days. I can't afford another tank just now, but I do have an extra air ppumb/bubbler. would it be wise or harmful to put him and some sof the tank water in an otherwise unfiltered bowl with the bubbler and some salt for a day?

 

[Robert]

are there any female platy's with hin in there or are all three male??