Platty Not Looking Well

[Tropical_Fish]

Just noticed that one of the female orange platties isn't looking well.

It was down in the bottom corner next to the heater on the bottom looking slightly bent, it moves around every so often but swims in a strange way due to being bent. Then returns to the same corner everytime. She is also looking quite thin.

When opening the lid she swam up to the top expecting food, but then returned to the corner.

I've pulled her out for the minute - I've not really got a quarantine tank so made do with what I've got, I got an old tank out of the garage - approx 20 litres, put warm tap water in and mixed in some dechlorinator, added a small heater and an air stone and put the fish in. There is only a few inches of water and no decorations or substrate. I've not put a filter in but I assume that will be OK in the short term.

I put a couple of flakes of food in but she didn't eat - but that might be the stress of moving.

I tested the water in the main tank.


Nitrite: 0ppm
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrate: between 40 and 80ppm
pH approx 7.5 low range says 7.6, high range says 7.4

The Nitrate is slightly higher than normal (water change is due tomorrow) but nothing I would be worried about.

Fish have been in since about July after a fishless cycle - no other problems or diseases - this fish has had a few babies and until now has seemed very healthy.

We've had two guppies die in the tank since it was setup but both were bullied to death and always seemed weaker so it didn't seem to be a problem, the last one of them to die was about 3 months ago. We've only got male guppies but mixed sex platties. Most of the fry get eaten but we have 8 2nd generation platty in there

 

[Tropical_Fish]

Just to add soem extra detail after searching through some threads:

The fish does not look faded etc, she is still colourful - the fins look normal etc

The only symptoms are:

She is looking thin
She seems to have a bent spine - although she does seem able to straighten herself.



Their diet is Aquarian Flakes twice a day, bloodworm once a week, and occasionally shelled cooked peas (not done them for a month or so though)

On one of the other threads about similar things, TB is mentioned - I've had a quick read of that and it does mention it can cause bending of the spine.

None of the other fish have any symptoms, but one of the platy fry (from a different female) was born with an S shaped spine, but it seems to be the strongest of the lot, it's bigger than the others and seems to survive well (just thought I'd mention it incase it was related)

 

[flip]

im having the exact same problem with mine. hope you can get some help!

 

[WILDER]

How old is the fish as the spine can bend with old age. Also the fish can go thin.

Being thin and bent spince can be old age, vitamin deficiency, internal parasites, fish tb.

What does it look like when the fish goes to the toilet.
Is the anus enlarged or red and inflamed.
Any worms prutruding from the anus.
Has the fish lost weight due to not eating.
Need to rule out internal parasites.

What test kit are you using.
How often do you maintain the tank with water change and gravel vac.
What your tap nitrate reading.
How many gallons is the tank.
How many fish and which type.

 

[Tropical_Fish]

Thanks for the reply, fish and tank size are all in my signiture.

Haven't seen the fish go to the toilet at all. It's anus isn't inflamed and there are no worms. It doesn't seem to be eating and is now spending a lot of it's time on it's side at the bottom with the upper fin flicking about, then every so often it will get up and swim about a little before settling back again.

I would have thought it will die, it's half the size it was (plumpness wise). I've had the fish since July so only about 6 months but obviously I don't know how old it was, my oldest fry are 6 months old and they're not as big yet but they came from a smaller parent so I presume they won't get as big?

It was fully mature and quite large from the fish shop so I would guess at atleast 6 months, and they only have a lifespan of 2-3 years, so I guess it could have been 18 months old from the shop? So could just be old age. It has no other symptoms it just lost weight (been looking thinner for the past few weeks) then started to look a little bent and stayed at the bottom.


Test Kit is API Master Test Kit

Tap water Nitrate is 15-20ppm

I do 50% water change every fortnight. The tank is well over filtered at approx 14x. Tank is 70L, the filter is rated at 1000L/hour (external)

 

[WILDER]

I doubt the fish will last much longer bless her. If the fish gets any worse I would maybe think about putting it out of it's misery.

Keep a look out for when all your fish go to the toilet.
It could just be old age, fish tb, internal parasites.

If your tap nitrate reading is 15-20 your tank water should be around that.
Do you use a gravel vac for the substrate.
If filter sponges are really mucked up just squeeze one of the sponges in old tank water. Then do the rest over the next few weeks.

 

[Tropical_Fish]

I doubt the fish will last much longer bless her. If the fish gets any worse I would maybe think about putting it out of it's misery.

Keep a look out for when all your fish go to the toilet.
It could just be old age, fish tb, internal parasites.

If your tap nitrate reading is 15-20 your tank water should be around that.
Do you use a gravel vac for the substrate.
If filter sponges are really mucked up just squeeze one of the sponges in old tank water. Then do the rest over the next few weeks.

Sponges were cleaned at the beginning of December in old tank water.

I use a gravel vac and clean the gravel well each time, it's used to empty the 50% of water that I take out.

The Nitrate level always rises, but that's to be expected as it's the result of the Nitrogen Cycle, I haven't taken a reading since doing the water change today but I would expect it would be much closer to 20 now as the water change is the only part which removes the Nitrate. Please correct me if I'm wrong.


I'm hoping for old age, there is just no other signs, the other fish are all well, no worms, no spots etc

 

[WILDER]

Hows the fish doing.