platie problems

[angjen]

hi there. I recently bought 2 sunset platies and 2 blue and red platies. both blue and red platies have died, and one of the sunsets is really hurtin. I have looked online for info, but have come up empty handed. there are no visible signs of ich or parasites. they just hang out on the bottom for a few days (not rubbing or scratching), then die. the sunset seems to have a hard time swimming for any length of time. it still has it's appetite, it's colours are fine. the fins are clamped at times. it's body seems to "curve"
any advice would be GREATLY appreciated. I feel so bad for the lil guy.
I also have a catfish, a placo, 3 neons and a black skirt tetra. I got the black skirt at the same time I got the platies.
I change 20% of the water every 10 days or so.
HELP.

 

[Feline]

Hi! What's the water parameters in the tank?

 

[MAM]

is your tank cycled? as feline said, what are your parameters? what type of filtration do you have? tank size?

 

[angjen]

I have no idea what the parameters are. in fact, I'm not even sure what info you're looking for. I have only had it for a few months, it was a gift. I am on my way out now to pick up a ph test kit. it's a 33 gallon tank if that helps at all. the rest of the fish are fine though. are platies more sensitive to ph levels than most fish? while I'm there, are there any other test kits or supplies I should pick up?
I never wanted an aquarium, but now that I have one, I'm hooked. and like I said, I feel so bad for my lil guy.
thank you both for your help.

 

[angjen]

by the way many a molly, I love your signature

 

[angjen]

oh yeah, the filter is one that mounts on the back of the tank. it containd a sponge, carbon package and an ammonia filter bag

 

[Feline]

Hi! Other than a ph test kit, you'll need test kits for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, gh and kh.

So let's see what the water condition is when you get the test kits!

 

[angjen]

well, the ph was only at 6, so I have added the ph plus and some salt. I didn't realize I would need the other kits.........next trip I guess.
do you think it could have be a problem with the fish when I bought them......I mean, since I got them all at the same store from the same tank?

 

[barbiya]

I just had to jump in here after reading this thread. I do not have any advice about the platties, until you get you ammonia and nitrites tested. But I need to emphasize that you mustn't use salt in a tank with catfish or plecos!!!

I don't know how much you put in, but don't add any more, and do a water change as soon as possible.

If you get a chance, please read the topics in the Beginner's forum. Good luck!

 

[sinistral]

Hi angjen, welcome to the forums!

Glad to hear you are enthusiastic about the hobby. Before you do anything else I'd recommend reading this link about new tank syndrome.

I'd also counsel you against adding chemicals to change the pH to your tank. Adding a chemical to adjust pH can do more harm in the short term than good, unfortunately. What typically happens in this type of case is the fish have adjusted to a specific pH, then a pH adjuster is added. Then, if the original cause of the specific pH isn't changed (say, for example, your tapwater pH is 6, and you do a water change, or if certain metabolic processes in the tank are causing a low pH), the tank pH tends to return to the same figure. This tends to create a "yo yo" effect with pH, which is very stressful to fish.

Tropical fish can tolerate a lot, but they can't tolerate rapid changes (change in pH, temperature, ammonia, nitrites, among others). Having said that, good job with the water changes! Frequent (weekly, for instance) water changes with dechlorinated water that is identical in temperature to your tank water tend to preserve stable water conditions by ensuring that the conditions in the tank are closely related to the condition of your fresh tap water, which is good!

Please don't give up though! I'd encourage you to peruse the links in the beginner section, including the one I mentioned, and let us know about your ammonia and nitrite. Good luck~~~