New platy lying on bottom of the tank

[Andiford]

Hi there, I'm new to the forum. I've newly set up a 30 gallon tank and today introduced 6 platys. Acclimatized them slowly and then put them into the tank.

All are lively and acting in the way I'd expect for new fish but one immediately went to the bottom of the tank, hid, and stayed on the bottom. She's come to the front of the tank but still won't leave the substrate. She doesn't look like she's gasping and doesn't have clamped fins.

I attempted a fishless cycle with incredible problems (due to a treated snail infestation) which played havoc with ammonia levels. Ammonia was creeping through the roof hours after every water change. So I decided to start again.

I stripped the tank, cleaned everything, washed substrate and decided to start again using ATM Colony and these platys. I'm hopeful the colony does as it says and I won't get an ammonia or nitrite spike but I'll be monitoring daily. I don't like the idea of fish in cycling so I'm hoping the colony is a miracle product!

My question is, could this wee platy be in shock from the move? Or just nervous? I'll keep an eye for any changes so I can rule out or treat any possible illness as soon as I can.

Thanks

 

[Andiford]

Ah, I should have said!
Temp is 22.5C
PH 7.6
Ammonia zero
Water has been dechlorinated

Thanks again for any advice or suggestions.

 

[Colin_T]

If the fish has only been in the tank for a short time, it is probably getting use to the new environment. Monitor it over the next few weeks and if it continues to hide, it is probably being bullied by one of the other platies. In which case you will need to rehome it.

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Liquid filter bacteria supplements like the ATM Colony can help speed up the cycling process in the aquarium. I recommend adding a double dose every day for a week and then pour the rest of the bottle into the tank.

Try to add the bacteria supplement near the filter intake so it gets drawn into the filter media/ material where it belongs.

 

[Andiford]

If the fish has only been in the tank for a short time, it is probably getting use to the new environment. Monitor it over the next few weeks and if it continues to hide, it is probably being bullied by one of the other platies. In which case you will need to rehome it.

-------------------
Liquid filter bacteria supplements like the ATM Colony can help speed up the cycling process in the aquarium. I recommend adding a double dose every day for a week and then pour the rest of the bottle into the tank.

Try to add the bacteria supplement near the filter intake so it gets drawn into the filter media/ material where it belongs.

Colin T, thank you for this advice.
I thi k the fish is showing shock symptoms. Her colour is still ok but this morning she is lying on the bottom beside the filter. She is upright and fins are moving. I've added 2 air stones to pump as much oxygen in as possible. I don't have aquarium salt though. I'll keep a close eye on her.
Thanks for your advice re the ATM also.

 

[Andiford]

*Update* the wee fish has died. It was definitely shock took her as I've seen it in previous fish over the years.

 

[Colin_T]

You need to find out what the pH and GH is of the shop tank so you can see if there's a major difference. If their water has an acid pH with the livebearers, they need to up it a bit for the health of the fish.