Itchy Platy

[PrairieSunflower]

I have quite an itchy platy who gets into bouts of flashing. (She is not from the tank where I recently had a platy with ich and I have not contaminated this tank with my equipment).

I can't figure out why she is so itchy. I thought maybe a reaction to water changes, none of the other fish are bothered. I thought it would settle but it hasn't. I cannot see anything wrong with her, no ich spots, no visible problem with her slime coat or scales. I haven't quarantined her at this point since my quarantine tank currently has a platy in it that just finished the ich treatment.

So... my thoughts are.... what could this be and whether it needs to be a whole tank treated (in which case I need to find all my shrimp and move them out)... or if I can move only her and treat.

It is probably not an emergency.

 

[Mikey1]

a fish that is "scratching" itself on tank ornaments is normally the sign of ich or an infection in the near future

 

[DyArianna]

Could she possibly be pregnant? I do know that I read a long time ago that sometimes female livebearers will flash to assist with breaking the eggs inside of them pprior to giving birth. I have seen my livebearers flash with no ensuing illness (water parameters fine) but then either a birth sooon following or none. Not clear on that part of it. But, yes, can also mean illness or water parameters off.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

No, she is a virgin. I've had her since the end of December and she has never had fry and I don't keep males in my tank.

The water is fine so, I think I will likely quarantine her in case an illness is brewing... hopefully not ich as it will be quite an undertaking to separate my shrimp!

 

[Joshwainwright]

Yeah, I'd definitely quarantine her just in case 

 
 
If it turns out to be nothing then it's just nice to know that you played it safe but quarantining her will let you keep a closer eye on her and potentially stop other fish from being infected with whatever might be wrong.
 
Keep us updated! 

 

[PrairieSunflower]

A little update, there seems to be the beginning of tail fungus (something which she has had before)... so hopefully that will be easily treated and all will be well again.