Lethargic - red gills

[Startup]

Ok one of my platys is just 'floating' near the top, with just enough movement to stop itself getting sucked up the filter. The other two are fine. They are the only fish in a 16 gal cycled tank. Water parameters are all fine, and I just did a water change (20%) just in case. Platy is not gasping or anything but the gills are quite red.

Please tell me what I can do to help her! I have to go to work in an hour, and I don't think she'll be here when I get home

 

[Startup]

Please? Somebody must have some sort of suggestion???

 

[clutterydrawer]

are you 100% sure your water params are ok? could you test again and post teh exact readings?

red gills are usually a sign of ammonia/nitrite poisoning or not enough oxygen. i doubt there could be oxygen defficiency with only those fish in the tank.

 

[Startup]

Readings are 0 for Amonia and Nitrate, 7 for ph.

But its a bit late. She's dead.

 

[The-Wolf]

So sorry to hear that
just for future referance red gills and lethargy are often an indication
of gill flukes
to help you in the future i'd recomed you add to your favorite site http/www.fishdoc.co.uk although primarily they deal with Kio I have found their disease and diagnosis pages excelent.

 

[Startup]

Thankyou Wolf.

The site is now added to favourites. She didn't show signs of flashing or rubbing, or heavy breathing for that matter. But she did appear to halve her weight almost overnight, and I found emeciation as a possible symptom on another site.

I could not find out if this is contagious? Being a parasite I am assuming it is? I will pick up some aquarium salt tomorrow so that I can treat the other two if/when they start to show signs.

 

[The-Wolf]

Gill flukes can be contaigious, I'd add an aquarium tonic salt to you water. I use aquilibreum by inerpet as a preventative.
good luck with your survivours.