Tropical Fish Forum

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => The Emergency Room => Topic started by: Frankie on February 25, 2019, 12:44:02 PM

Title: ** UPDATE** Platy fish can't eat, thin, dying
Post by: Frankie on February 25, 2019, 12:44:02 PM
I would be so grateful for advice please.  I've inherited a tank of Platy Fish. Im a newbie and know the basics of tropical fish keeping but I'm lost what to do now as I have poorly fish.

I've confused myself trying to look up symptoms/treatments to buy. I apologise if there is already a listing  relating to my fishes symptoms and I have overlooked it.

I will try to describe each stage as the fish become more poorly.

First sign I noticed the fish appeared to be eating but spit the food back out.  Swimming around OK but fins pulled in.

Approx week later the fish tried to eat but could only eat a flake the size of a crumb.

The fish would swim to the top waiting for its feed with all the other fish but could no longer eat.

The fish became thin and died.

Now I have a further 2 more poorly fish with the first symptoms of not eating.

I read one symptom to look out for is to see if I could see red poking out the fishes rears when the fish were still.  I find it difficult as the fish are silver & mostly covered in black dots, with black fins and I cant  see  it. Are there any other symptoms I can look out for,?

Can anyone point me in the right direction of what to do please. I would be grateful, its so upsetting to see them poorly.

Thank you,
Frankie

Title: Re: Platy fish can't eat, thin, dying
Post by: Sue on February 25, 2019, 03:11:47 PM
Hi Frankie, welcome to the forum.

You did the right thing looking to see red threads - that's camallanus worms, an intestinal parasite. My fish had camallanus worms a few years ago, and the worms stick out a few mm so you can see them even with heavily pigmented fish. The reason you have to look when the fish is motionless is because the worms go back inside when the fish swims.
Other possibilities include tapeworms and bacterial, viral and protozoan intestinal infections.

When the fish 'go to the toilet' does the poo look white and stringy or normal?



I don't like to suggest a medication until we can pin down what the problem is. There are medications for camallanus worms, tapeworms and internal bacteria/protozoan infections, though nothing treats viral infections I'm afraid.






For a complete understanding of the tank can you tells us:
How big is the tank - volume or dimensions
How many platies do you have
Are there any other fish
What are the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate readings for the tank water?
How hard is your tap water - you should be able to find this on your water company's website. We need a number and the unit rather than some vague words.
Title: Re: Platy fish can't eat, thin, dying
Post by: Matt on February 26, 2019, 12:28:57 PM
Also, when viewed from above do the fishes scales appear to stick out like a pine cone?
Title: Re: Platy fish can't eat, thin, dying
Post by: Frankie on February 27, 2019, 02:26:17 PM
Thank you for your replies. Sorry delay in writing, I have an emergency at home. I will reply later to your messages.
Title: Re: Platy fish can't eat, thin, dying
Post by: Frankie on February 28, 2019, 07:00:03 PM
I'm so sorry for delay, answers to your questions:

The poo on some fish appears to be white & stringy, like a thin thread of cotton.  (Hopefully I have attached pictures).

The fish that are poorly, they tend not to poo due to not eating.  They appear to be sucking the algae off plants.

I have studied fish and cannot see any red sticking out.

Tank is 90 litres.

All Platy fish - approx 17 fish

One large platy. Majority are approx 2cm long from head to end fin.  Some are small babies.

My understanding is the platys have inter bred over the years and no new fish brought into the tank.

Ammonia etc reading not done - sorry.

Tap water is hard.

No fish scales sticking out.

Hope this info is helpful.  Many thanks again for your help. Frankie


Title: Re: Platy fish can't eat, thin, dying
Post by: Sue on February 28, 2019, 08:21:01 PM
If the tap water is hard, that is fine for platies. it's soft water that will cause them to struggle.

Since you can't see any worms, I would think about treating them for internal infections rather than parasites. Antibiotics are everyone's first thought but in the UK they are only available on prescription (which is not a bad thing, think of drug resistant bugs caused by over use of antibiotics).
The medications available in the UK are not very strong but you can try them. They include Interpet anti internal bacteria, and there is an NTL labs version, and AquaCare (Maidenhead Aquatics brand). If this doesn't work, I suggest you run some carbon in the tank to remove the medication, then try eSHa gdex which treats tapeworms.
You do need to remove the first medication before using a second. The easiest way is to run some carbon in the tank for 24 to 48 hours. either in the filter or in a small internal filter. I keep a cheap filter in the cupboard just for this. Carbon granules can be bought from most fish shops, and you just need to put them in a mesh bag (I use net fabric).

Keep the water clean by doing a daily water change and substrate clean. If it's gravel, make sure you suck as much muck as possible out of the gravel with the siphon tube. On days when medication is dosed, add the med after the water change. On days when you don't dose, after the water change add the med at the amount needed for the volume of new water only.


If at any time you start seeing red things protruding from the anus, get eSHa-ndx. And remove the previous med before using it.
Title: Re: Platy fish can't eat, thin, dying
Post by: Frankie on March 01, 2019, 10:58:50 AM
Thank you Sue, your advice is much appreciated. 

Please can I ask a few questions. Sorry if they sound silly, its my lack of experience.  I have been dropped in the deep end inheriting a tank and im  trying to learn asap.

I have ordered Interpret anti bacteria.

I currently clean the tank with a siphon every 2 weeks. This takes out about 50% of water by the time I have finished cleaning gravel/stones.

I also give the plants a quick  clean over to get algae off.  I use the water I have syphoned out, not tap water.

In between the 2 weeks I take out 25% of water and top up with fresh water.

I add safewater.

Am I doing this correctly?

Carbon granules I have never heard of.  I  have bought the interpet carbon pads (expensive !!).

Can I use carbon granules in a interpret internal filter?

If so how much do I use?

Do I put the carbon in a netted bag and put it where I normally put the interpet carbon pad ?

Thank you for your help.
Frankie



Title: Re: Platy fish can't eat, thin, dying
Post by: Sue on March 01, 2019, 06:35:37 PM
The cleaning routine recommended nowadays is to do a 50% water change and gravel clean every week. And by cleaning the gravel I mean pushing the siphon tube right down into to the gravel to suck up all the muck (fish poo, uneaten food etc) that gets down between the particles.
With fish that are sick, a daily water change often helps.

As for dechlorinator, that depends on how you refill the tank.
If you use a bucket, add dechlorinator to each bucketful of water at the dose rate for the volume of the bucket. For instance, my dechlorinator uses 1 drop per 4.75 litres. I put 2 drops of dechlorinator in the bucket then run in water up to the 9.5 litre mark, then empty that into the tank.
If you use a hose pipe, work out how mcuh water you've removed, add enough to dechlorinator to treat that amount of water straight into the tank, then refill.

If you have a combi boiler you can use hot tap water to warm the new water to roughly the same temperature as the tank. if you have a hot water cylinder with a header tank in the attic, boil a kettle of water and use that to get the temp right. It's because of what might be in the header tank that you can't use the hot tap when you have a hot water cylinder. You don't need to measure the temp with a thermometer, feeling old water and new water with your hand will get it close enough.



Can you tell us what model of filter you have? That'll make it easier to say about carbon granules. In my case I have a small cheap internal filter and I made a bag from from some net fabric. I just get the filter out of the cupboard, pour granules into the bag, wash it thoroughly under the tap as carbon granules are very dusty, then put the bag into the filter and the filter into the tank.
But you can also use the carbon pads you mention, it's just that they are expensive as you have found. Since the carbon has to be thrown away once the old medication is removed, the cheaper the better. And depending on what your filter is like, you can probably use a bag of granules in place of a carbon pad.
If you already have a carbon pad in the filter, remove it before adding medication. Although carbon gets full quite quickly, even if carbon has been in the filter for months there is the theoretical possibility that the medication will be more attracted to the carbon than what's already there, so it will push the current stuff of and stick to the carbon instead. And medication stuck to carbon can't do its job.
Title: Re: Platy fish can't eat, thin, dying
Post by: Frankie on March 02, 2019, 09:30:32 AM
Thank you for all the info your giving me to get the tank on the right road in future.

I will do 50% weekly from now on.

I use siphon and push down into gravel and give a good clean. Wash plants over & glass remove algae.

I have Interpret Internal Filter PF2.

If fish get tapeworms can I catch them ??  Do I need to be cautious cleaning the tank out?

Unfortunately I studied fish and noticed
even more fish with stringy poos.  They are unable to eat, either try but spit flakes back out or can't eat at all,  although swimming around frantically at feed time as if they are hungry.

Also one fish with another symptom with a bad eye.

Pictures attached showing fish with bad eye & stringy poo.

Many thanks, Frankie
Title: Re: Platy fish can't eat, thin, dying
Post by: Sue on March 02, 2019, 09:51:35 AM
The bad eye does sound like an internal infection.


The PF2 media is:
Biochamber, a small box containing ceramic noodles
Foams (ie sponges) - a white one and a black one.
https://www.interpet.co.uk/Media/InterpetUK/Skoo/2202/2202_7.pdf

You need to take out the black sponge(s) before adding treatment, then put a new black one back in afterwards to remove medication. Throw the black sponges away once they are taken out of the filter.
I don't think it is possible to use a bag of carbon granules in this filter. I know they are expensive, but stick to the Interpet black sponges for now, we can talk about how to modify the filter once the fish are OK.



You won't catch tapeworms from the fish, but it is always best to practice good hygiene.
Wash your hands and arms with plain soap and rinse well before putting them in the tank. This removes any chemicals such as deodorant, perfume, grease etc from your skin, which would affect the fish.
When you've finished, wash your hands and arms thoroughly, I use an anti-bac soap for this.
Title: Re: Platy fish can't eat, thin, dying
Post by: Frankie on March 02, 2019, 10:28:43 AM
Thank you so so much Sue.  I was lost what to do.

Just going to clean the fish out now, fingers crossed the fish med will be delivered today !! 

I will keep you posted how things are going. Frankie
Title: Re: Platy fish can't eat, thin, dying
Post by: Sue on March 03, 2019, 02:39:28 PM
Forgot to mention in my last post that the reason you won't catch tapeworms (or camallanus worms) from your fish is because you need to eat the eggs or larvae to catch worms. Provided you don't drink tank water and wash your hands thoroughly after putting them in the tank you'll be OK.
There are certain rare bacterial infections that can get in through a cut, but again, wash thoroughly.
Title: Re: Platy fish can't eat, thin, dying
Post by: Frankie on March 04, 2019, 08:43:05 PM
That's good to know!!  I definitely will still use the Anti Bacteria Soap.

Vast improvement with majority of the fish since doing as you recommended.

I cleaned tank, done water changes & added Interpret Anti Bacteria.

Most fish with exception of 3 are back to normal.  Eating well, poo's fine and very lively.

The remaining 3 fish, still an improvement but not 100% as yet:-

Platy Popeye  - platy is now swimming around, pecking food off the bottom. Eyes still bad.

Skinny platy - very lively, swimming around  as normal, chasing everyone.  Enjoying eating peas. Still not eating flakes at feed time.

Platy with stringy poo's - still not eating but swimming around more looking more lively.

I will keep you posted, fingers crossed with your help I may save them all.

Thank u Sue !

Title: Re: Platy fish can't eat, thin, dying
Post by: Frankie on March 04, 2019, 09:19:48 PM
Picture of Skinny Platy and Popeye Platy both eating peas.

They are now swimming around tank no longer hiding.  Good improvement, let's hope they recover 100%.

Title: Re: Platy fish can't eat, thin, dying
Post by: Matt on March 04, 2019, 09:24:53 PM
That's good news  :D just to set expectations though... the fishes eye may never recover. It can still lead a happy and otherwise healthy life though  :cheers:
Title: ** UPDATE ** Platy fish can't eat, thin, dying ** UPDATE **
Post by: Frankie on March 16, 2019, 09:40:54 PM
Quick update...

Good news -

Female Platy that was not eating & stringy poos. She is improving, now eating small flakes and constantly pecking algae off plants.

Platy with Popeye, one eye is still bad, the other eye has improved well.  Eating & Pooing, no problems.

The rest of the tank are absolutely fine.

Bad news -

Lost the very thin platy although he did start to improve eating. It was sadly my fault giving the treatment too late.

I'm still keeping the tank clean doing water changes & keep monitoring the couple of poorly fish.

Big thank you for all your help getting my tank well again, I probably would have lost all the fish without the advice. Frankie
Title: Re: ** UPDATE** Platy fish can't eat, thin, dying
Post by: Matt on March 17, 2019, 07:20:49 AM
Thanks for the update @Frankie

Sorry to hear about the very thin platy  :'(, but overall I think you have had a good outcome here.  :)
Title: Re: ** UPDATE** Platy fish can't eat, thin, dying
Post by: Littlefish on March 17, 2019, 09:55:18 AM
Sorry to hear that the very thin platy has passed, but I think you've done really well with the rest of your gang. I hope that they all continue to improve.
Title: Re: ** UPDATE** Platy fish can't eat, thin, dying
Post by: fcmf on March 17, 2019, 04:57:09 PM
Sad news about the platy, Frankie, but fingers crossed for and keep up the good work with the others.