Platy's Flicking Against Plants

[DaveA76]

noticed this morning that a couple of my platy's had started flicking againt the coarse leaved plant in the tank, after looking through a book it said it was ich but there is no white spots or owt, i have treated the tank with Anti White Spot Plus is this right ? when should i re dose the tank or will one dose be enough, and could this be linked to my other topic albino ruby shark acting odd ?

 

[minxfishy]

check my reply in the albino thread and answer those ?, those are the first ports of call in any problem occuring in a tank

 

[Truck]

probably ich which doesnt become clearly visable until it has been in the fishes skin for a few days.

it starts of as a bacterium and then embeds itself in the skin

 

[jonnyf84]

no no no, flicking cannot be instantly put down to ich - where ever you read this is wrong, flicking is caused by so many things and can be the first symptom of many diseases, caused by ammonia or NO2 spikes, temperature changes, fights, knocks and scrapes, parasites, bacteria, fungus, the list goes on and on.

But you can be sure it is not a good sign, usually the first sign of something wrong, if the fish scratched itself then theres not much need to worry but it could be a sign of parasites or worse. This could well be ich but simple flicking is not the way to diagnose it.

Unfortunately if flicking is your only sign and water parameters are perfect the only way to find out whats wrong is to keep a close eye on them and watch out for any visible signs of disease and keep a very close eye on water conditions, make sure the water is well aerated and feed a healthy varied diet.

If you have test kits could you please post water stats: PH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, KH and temp.

Also please post tank size and fish.



Jonny.

 

[DaveA76]

not a clue what all my water readings are as i take a sample to the local pet shop who do a check for me and they said everything was ok so ??? i am getting a test kit shortly but cant work out what is best and yet still cheapish the tank is a 128L, the other fish in the tank are
6xplaty's
4x zebra danios,
5 x neons
2 x swordtails
2 x corydoras
1 x silver top
and the ruby shark

 

[minxfishy]

Ok without a test kit and not knowing your readings, Im going to suggest an immediate 50% water change, just in case there is ammonia or nitrIte present. How long has the tank been set up.

If you take a sample to the LFS, get them to write down the results, dont accept ok, as often they say ok, but it isnt

The flicking and rubbing, plus the problems with the shark, suggest ammonia or nitrIte spikes, which would cause the fish to become ill, they would also flick and rub against things to try and stop the burning which is what they will be feeling due to the ammonia/nitrite.

 

[jonnyf84]

128L is a standard amount for a 3 x 1 x 1.5 i think, if this is the case then with substrate, internal filter and decorations its probably more like 110L which means you are fully stocked, i wouldn't say you are overstocked so providing you have good filtration and maintenance then this shouldn't be a problem.

Do you use dechlorinater?

What Temp?

Have you introduced any new fish lately?

Test kits are quite pricey, i go for API or Tetra Laborette, 20 - 25 quid.

 

[DaveA76]

forgot to add the tank has been running for 6-7 weeks but the filter media came out of my other tank that has been running for the last 6 years
and the temp is 26oC

128L is a standard amount for a 3 x 1 x 1.5 i think, if this is the case then with substrate, internal filter and decorations its probably more like 110L which means you are fully stocked, i wouldn't say you are overstocked so providing you have good filtration and maintenance then this shouldn't be a problem.

Do you use dechlorinater?

What Temp?

Have you introduced any new fish lately?

Test kits are quite pricey, i go for API or Tetra Laborette, 20 - 25 quid.

the tank is 48 x12 x 15 inch
i use aqua safe
all the fish have gone in in the last 6 weeks

 

[minxfishy]

Right in that case maybe not ammonia and nitrIte, as the mature media should have almost instantly cycled the tank.
Although still get it checked

Any other signs apart from flicking/rubbing, how is their poo? are they feeding well?

The scales on the shark are they visibly sticking out or not?

 

[DaveA76]

Test kits are quite pricey, i go for API or Tetra Laborette, 20 - 25 quid.
[/quote]
are these the liquid test kits and if so where do i get them from as my LFS only has the individual tests which are priced from 9 - 14 quid each

 

[minxfishy]

Not all LFS sell them unfortunately, you can usually find them online and ebay do some good deals on them for about £20 including postage.

 

[jonnyf84]

ok so thats over 140L so you'v got plenty of space. Do the water change as minxy said, if your water conditions are good then the only thing you can do is keep a very close eye on them for more telling signs of disease.

are these the liquid test kits

yes. the individual ones are the same thing but work out to be much more expensive. If you cant find in LFS then use the net.

 

[DaveA76]

i have just been sat here watching them and its only the platy's that are flicking against this 1 plant not rocks, filter house, substrate etc but they are not doing it constantly the 2 that are flicking have maybe only done it twice in the last hour but it is a definate flick, they are swimming normally the rest of the time and their appetite is great and as for the poo there is nothing different than ive ever noticed before, and i gave the tank a 25% water change the same day as i had the water checked (about 3 hours before)

 

[cooldude]

If situation does not improve, add salt to the water. 1 tablespoon to 5 gallons of water. Note that freshwater plants cannot withstand salt for long periods of time. If possible put fish in quarantine tank with salt as above. In about 10 days the fish will be cured. The parasite get killed in the salt water (due to osmosis).

http/aquarium-setup.blogspot.com/