Weak Platy

[Wippy M]

Hi there, my tank is 6 weeks old, and 2 weeks ago I added 6 Platies (3 Different species).

They all looked healthy when I got them, but one became weak quickly - it is skinny and spends most of the time resting on the substrate.

The water stats were described as "perfect" at my LFS, and all the other fish are perfectly healthy - it is just this one.

The picture below shows the weak one and the other member of the same species which is healthy (but seems to be emotionally attached to the weak one).

(And no, it is not actually dead, it is breathing and moves around every now and again).

 

[OldMan47]

You can start by doing a large, maybe 50%, water change with dechlorinated water. I would expect the fish to begin looking better almost immediately, miracle cure.LOL The next step is to get a good liquid type test kit to test your own water. My best guess is that you have elevated nitrite levels in the water but it could be you still have ammonia because your LFS is like so many others and tested water that had never had fish in it without asking you about it. If you follow this link, miss Wiggle explains it better than I could [URL="http/www.fishforums.net/content/New-to-t...eady-have-fish/"]http/www.fishforums.net/content/New-to-t...eady-have-fish/[/URL]
The reason I suggested a big water change is because you don't know what's in your water and almost always that will remove some of the poisons that are affecting your fish.

I see you have been given much the same advice in the past. New symptoms of an existing problem still take the same solution. Water changes are your friend even if you are in the middle of a cycle. The cycle will not slow from a water change. The fastest it can go will be slightly less bacteria than it takes to get the ammonia or nitrites to zero. If there are not that many bacteria yet then there is food enough to grow the population. If you leave behind any ammonia or nitrites after a water change, it is more than enough. Otherwise the bacteria would have kept the levels down for you. If you leave behind enough to harm the fish, the harm can be permanent which may be the case with your platy.

 

[Wippy M]

But why would it only be one fish being affected?

 

[freddythefish]

Because some fish are weaker than others and more sensitive to the water conditions... If you put in 6 fish after only 2 weeks in one go then that is too much. REMEMBER: the LFS wants your money and probably isn't that bothered if the fish die because you will want to replace them and so MORE money for him (or her). Water changes are the best thing you will ever do...keep doing them and hopefully the levels will go down.
As oldman47 said GET YOUR OWN TEST KITS. these are literally essential for keeping fish and you definatly need the liquis or tablet ones. The all in one strip thingies just don't work accuratly enough!!!

 

[omega59]

i agree, some fish are more sensative than others. i recently added some balloon mollies to my tank, all are fine but one which is sort of acting the same as your fish.. fins down, beeing low and a tad sluggish. when i do water changes she seems to be a little more better. now my tank has been setup for over 9 months and i've had plenty of fish in there lol. also my tank test results are safe. she is just sensitive.

 

[kribensis12]

If the water change dosent work i would definatley go out and buy a a med for internal parasites. FIhs such as yours that i've had have had internal parasites when they behave like that. Does he/she still eat? If so, get the Flake form of internal parasite removal. But it could just the nitrite, but im just trying to give other options incase this dosent work.

 

[freddythefish]

Good advice there!!! I agree by the way if anyone is interested, but to be fair kribensis I can't see as it would be because everything points to nitrite or ammonia because of the age of the tank!!

As he said...worth a try if it doesn't work though

 

[Truck]

i had this prob a 50 % water change and some tlc will help and leave your light of for a few day see if he perks up.
i had some pentazona barbs (5) and they would only feed with the light off and would cower at the bottom when the lights on. if this is the problem put your light on for 1 hour have 2 hour rest etc for a few day s then slowly increase it this is what i did and now they are ok with light on.

 

[kribensis12]

Good advice there!!! I agree by the way if anyone is interested, but to be fair kribensis I can't see as it would be because everything points to nitrite or ammonia because of the age of the tank!!

As he said...worth a try if it doesn't work though

The age of the tank worries me aswell. But i've always heard that a tank cycles in 4 weeks, ofcourse, the last time i cycled a tank i didnt know what cycling was.