Tropical Fish Forum
Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => Fish Health => Topic started by: Cinders on February 24, 2014, 11:32:17 AM
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One of my female Platy's is swimming around on its side, and resting with head down, but seems full of life and eating well. Should I be worried about this ? I have fed them some peas in case it is a bowel problem. This has been going on for about a week. Is it something that is likely to spread to other fish ? I don't have an isolation tank at the moment. Any advice very welcome.
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It is always tricky knowing what is wrong with fish. Swimming funny is often a swim bladder problem and this can be due to anything from overeating to an infection or parasites. The fact that your platy is behaving normally otherwise suggests nothing serious.
She's not about to give birth is she? How much do you feed and does this fish grab more than her fair share?
In the absence of other symptoms, I would just monitor her for now. Things to look for - clamped fins, raged fins, not eating then getting emaciated.
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Hello Sue, and thank you. I do feed them twice a day, just a pinch, but there are several other fish in the tank too. They always seem hungry. She is not pregnant as no males in there. But they have started to nibble at the plants now, which makes me wonder if I am feeding them enough. I will just keep an eye on her for now then, thanks
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Hi Cinders,
Sorry to hear about your platy :( I hope she soon perks up. Just a thought....how long have you had her? I only ask as you say she can't be pregnant as you have no males, but if you haven't had her long she could have arrived pregnant....I know, I know... that may sound a bit mad, but they're prolific little devils ;)
Going from my experience of platies, they are ALWAYS hungry. I feed mine once a day and have a non feed day once or twice a week. My tank has masses of planting and they're often to be found having a nibble at it....just natural behaviour, I assume. ???
Anyway, someone will know for sure :)
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And of course platies can store sperm and have babies every month for up to six months after last having contact with a male. Signs that a livebearer is soon to give birth: getting very fat and almost square when viewed from the side, going off on their own, getting grumpy with other fish, swimming/sitting in one place and looking like they are panting.
The fact that she is always hungry is not a bad sign. Very sick fish usually go off their food.
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Hi Resa, I have had her about eight months, and she was pregnant when I got her, and had babies every month, but hasn't had any now for two months at least. I know they can store sperm, but I think she has finished that now. I think it might be an idea to withhold food for a day now and again, but she looks quite slim. Thanks for taking an interest Resa, appreciated.
Thanks again Sue.
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At 8 months without a male, she won't be having any further fry, so that can be ruled out as a cause ;D