Fish dying...Any idea what the problem could be?? ++

ashley91489 · 05-24-2009, 12:46 PM

My platies were otherwise healthy until about 2 weeks ago when one of them started acting very lethargic. Her appetite was still good and the only thing out of the ordinary was that she was lazy. Later she began to get symptoms of ick. I did the salt method and that started to clear up. She was acting much better but still not quite herself. Her fins became frayed but just within the past couple of days that has become worse. Recently she has gotten a lot worse and is now laying at the bottom of the aquarium on her side, barely holding on. I know there is nothing I can do now unfortunately but perhaps if I could identify what was wrong I can prevent it in the other two.

Judge · 05-24-2009, 02:22 PM

I am so sorry Ashley. Can you get back with more info such as water params, tank mates, what size tank, how long it has been running..anything that might help us to help you?? We have a tutorial on common fish ailments that might help, if you could view that and eliminate some things. Let us know.

ashley91489 · 05-24-2009, 04:10 PM

It's a small 3 gallon tank with two other small platies. Tank conditions are all favorable and I've had it running for 3, nearing 4 months now. Prior to now, they have looked just fine. I've done some research of fish diseases and nothing sounds exactly like what I'm seeing. When I saw the frayed fins I looked into fin rot but it's not nearly that bad. I was pretty sure it was ick and it cleared up with the salt treatments so I'm thinking there is something else going on.

Judge · 05-27-2009, 10:01 AM

Still could use more info in order to help. Saying water params are all good does not really tell what's going on in your tank. How do you test your water,what kind of tests are you using? What is your water source and what, if any, additives are you adding to the water. Have you lost any more fish lately, do they look better, worse?? Get back to us so we can help.

Venus911 · 05-27-2009, 05:40 PM

Frayed fins are a sign of harmful bacteria in the water. The fish perked up because salt not only eliminates bacteria and ich, but it increases slime coat and boost immune system. Ich is an annoyance and only causes a health problem if the fish is weak.

I would give the fish a salt bath using 1 tablespoon per gallon of water; Grind salt into powder then dissolve in a 1/2 cup of hot water; premix in bath water and match temperature of tank using fresh treated tap water. Treat fish for 1 to 5 minutes.

Perform a 40% water change in the main tank; use a gravel vacuum. For the next week or so perform a 20% daily water change. This should eliminate most of the harmful bacteria, but you need to find out why it's there in the first place.

If your tank is enclosed; open it up so the surface is exposed to fresh air; freshwater fish need oxygenated water. Tanks with lids have carbon dioxide in the water. Good for plants bad for freshwater fish.

If you have a top loading filter, consider adding a bottom sitting water pump to your tank. This will encourage stronger colonies of friendly bacteria to form. The waste your fish produce rests on the bottom; think of this as a food source for your friendly bacteria. Where you find large colonies of friendly bacteria you'll find very little unfriendly bacteria.

A water pump will also produce surface action which discourages harmful bacteria also. Where you find moving water you'll find little unfriendly bacteria.

Increase you regular water changes; this will help

Best of luck, Venus