Platy Has Lost Soo Much Of Weight

[awais394]

I have two platy fish in my tank with others Gouramies, neon tetras and swordtail. From last two weeks i have noticed that one of the platy is always sitting at the bottom of the tank or behind the plants. It has also lost alot of weight, its like half of the size it was before. When i add food it comes at the surface of the water but does not eat much. Any idea what is going wrong??? Regards

 

[soybean]

More info is needed really.

There is a pinned thread on this page with suggestions on what info to provide to help people 'diagnose' your problem:

1. Water parameters. (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, PH, temp', Hardness etc)
2. A full description of the fishes symptoms.
3. How often you do water changes and how much.
4. Any chemicals and treatments you add to the water.
5. What tank mates are in the tank and numbers.
6. Tank size.
7. Finally, have you recently added any new fish?

 

[callmoo]

What food are you feeding the fish?

 

[Chris2]

How long have you had the platy/how big is it?

I just had a flowerhorn die, even though it was in great health and the tank was in great shape. I suspect old age since it was rather larger and I had him for a few years.

Platys do have a pretty short life cycle.

 

[loraxchick]

most likely internal parasites. does the fish spit out food when eating? Have you noticed any stringy white or mucousy poo?
I suggest getting internal parasite medicated food and a tank treatment. Seems livebearers are more prone to having them than other types of fish.
cheers

 

[XeroTolerance]

What loraxchik said. I think it is internal parasites too.

 

[awais394]

I normally feed them TetraMin Tropical Flakes or TetraColor Tropical Flakes. I have noticed some weird colour of poo. The infected Platy is a male and i had the pair for around 7 weeks now. Last time i added the new fish it was about 4 weeks ago. The tank i have it is 110 Litre Jewell 800. I normally change water after 2 days and use Prime and API Stress Zyme for water treatment. I am struggling with Ammonia and Nitrites as they never become zero.

At the moment i have 4 Gouramies, 2 Neon Tetras, 1 Sword Tail and 4 Mollies. All other fish are normal and eating well. Any medication that you guys recommend???

Regards

 

[Blubble37]

how long has the tank been set up as you seem to be in a fish-in-cycle if your ammonia and nitrite is never zero. Can we have some actual readings please as this will help us pin down your problem

 

[awais394]

What food are you feeding the fish?

TetraMin Tropical Flakes or TetraColor Tropical Flakes

how long has the tank been set up as you seem to be in a fish-in-cycle if your ammonia and nitrite is never zero. Can we have some actual readings please as this will help us pin down your problem

The tank is running from last 10 weeks, readings are as follows: Ammonia 0.50ppm, Nitrite 0.25.

 

[Blubble37]

ok, you are in a fish in cycle and that is why your fishies are unwell, for their sake go to the beginners resource cntre here... http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/277264-beginners-resource-center/

 

[Blubble37]

your fish are probably suffering from long term exposure to ammonia, this may or may not leave side effects on the fish but you should do something about it now. Start off a 90% water change now (leave enough water for the biggest fish to swim upright in) and test then do a W/C again untill the levels reach tapwater levels, repeat this daiily untill you can go for 24 entire hours without the ammonia rising, then 48 hours and eventually your filter will be cycled and your fish happy!

 

[loraxchick]

your fish are probably suffering from long term exposure to ammonia, this may or may not leave side effects on the fish but you should do something about it now. Start off a 90% water change now (leave enough water for the biggest fish to swim upright in) and test then do a W/C again untill the levels reach tapwater levels, repeat this daiily untill you can go for 24 entire hours without the ammonia rising, then 48 hours and eventually your filter will be cycled and your fish happy!

i agree more waterchanges to keep the ammonia and nitrite down, but that is not the cause of the skinniness. Is the poo colored like the food? their poop will change color depending on what you feed. You would know white poo or mucousy poo if you saw it. If its colored like fishfood i wouldnt worry too much. Losing weight while eating normally is certainly parasitic in nature.
If in the US i recommend getting medicated fish food for internal parasites made by jungle. It is good stuff to use. A tank treament may also be needed to stop the spread to the other fish. Make sure you are syphoning up any poo in the tank with waterchanges as well.
best of luck
cheers