Sunset Platy Has Lost Half Of Its Tail Fin

[Mola Mola]

I just gave the fish some food and noticed that one of the Sunset Platies was hovering above the gravel and did not come up for any food. When I looked more closely it seems that roughly have of its tail fin is missing.

I'm guessing that the most likely explanation is that one of the other fish has attacked it, but I'm really not sure, and I've no idea what to do.

Can anybody please advise? Any input would be much appreciated.

 

[the_lock_man]

Stocking is that which is listed in your sig? You've not got a convict or an Mbuna or something else in there?

Are you definitely sure he was fine yesterday? I'm just wondering if it's a disease, rather than a wound.

 

[Greg_DS]

Can I ask, when you say half is it a bit from the top and bit from the bottom, like the tail and fin are straight?? If that makes sense?? lol

 

[Tizer]

That crab deffinately went back didnt it?

 

[Mola Mola]

Guys,
Thanks so much for the quick replies, I've tried to answer the questions below.

Stocking is that which is listed in your sig? You've not got a convict or an Mbuna or something else in there?

Yes, that stocking list is up to date.

Are you definitely sure he was fine yesterday? I'm just wondering if it's a disease, rather than a wound.

I can't swear to it, but as far as I know it was. I'm as certain as I can be that it is very recent, rather than a gradual thing.

Can I ask, when you say half is it a bit from the top and bit from the bottom, like the tail and fin are straight?? If that makes sense?? lol

It is the top half of the tail fin. I'll try to post a picture or video a bit that.

That crab deffinately went back didnt it?

Yep!

 

[Greg_DS]

Reason I ask is I had one hiding and stressed and its tail fin seemed to flatten right down, I also thought something had happened but then it came back. Its as if they change shape under stress.

 

[Fishcakes]

This happened to me with my platys. I introduced 2 females, red with black fins. The next day I noticed that one had what visibly looked like a bite mark on the tail fin, the other on its top fin. Both have now healed nicely but I think one of the mollies was responsible, hes very territorial whenever he sees the other molly and did (at that time) chase away the others at mealtimes. Not noticed any injuries since then. Hoping it was an accident as a result of the molly asserting that he's boss.

 

[Mola Mola]

OK, here is a video. Sorry that the first half of it isn't very clear, the platy has decided stay next to the only patch of algae that I missed when cleaning the tank last week. The second half of the video is much clearer, because the platy moves in front of a clear bit of glass.

It has stayed in that same place, hovering just above the gravel since I first noticed its fin.

http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qs-AS88SV3M

EDIT: Just thought I would also mention that when I fed them earlier, the platy didn't move, but it did swim to get a flake that had fallen to the bottom of the tank.

 

[Mola Mola]

Hi again,
Just wondering if anybody had a chance to look at the video and had any thoughts on what the cause might be. I noticed that on the other side of the platy there is quite a big white patch, although I can't really get a good look at it.

I wonder if that might indicate that there could be some kind of health problem.

I'm really not sure what to do right now, so any further advice would be much appreciated.

 

[RedTail123]

It has a big white patch? Maybe it's some type of fungus.

 

[Tizer]

I had a look at the video, but i couldnt see any fish through the algae on the glass...

Other than a chomped tail, he seems alright, just have to leave him to it.

 

[Mola Mola]

I had a look at the video, but i couldnt see any fish through the algae on the glass...

Other than a chomped tail, he seems alright, just have to leave him to it.

Thanks Tizer. Yeah, as I mentioned, he has stuck to that one patch with the algae. I was really pleased with how clean the tank looked, until I saw that patch. Honestly!

I suppose I could break out my still boxed scraper, but I found that a kitchen sponge scourer worked a treat...as long as you don't miss any bits!

 

[Mom of MnE]

Quick question your have your platies with a good male to female ratio right? just wonted to check and i know my male molly doesn't mess with my platies maybe i got lucky because they are the only to that can push him away from the food.lol

 

[Mola Mola]

Hi,
Things seem much worse this morning. The platy seems almost under to move himself through the water, and is just being swept around and around by the current, while he wiggles feebly.

He is so weak that when he comes close to the filter grille he gets stuck on it, until a combination of his weak wiggling and the current moves him off again.

The last time he got stuck on the grille a molly came over and started pecking at him quite vigorously.

He is also sometimes getting swept to the surface, where he lays on his side, hardly moving, until the current pulls him down again.

It really is quite a sad sight, and I am going to try to move him into a temporary container, just so that he isn't getting attacked and gets a bit of a rest.

Can anybody please give me some advice here, it is quite heartbreaking to seem him struggling like this.

 

[Tizer]

Oh you have a molly in there, that will be it then, they can be nasty gits, only way to nurse this guy back will be a seperate tank or a net to seperate him from the others for a while. Mollies will most certainly have a go at him till hes dead if hes that weak already. I would also say you are rather over stocked, i have 10 platies in my 90 litre and every time i look at it i think " some of them have to go". The 4 mollies just tip the balance and i wouldnt be suprised if there is a little bit of agression in there.