My platy is acting funny..

SisterAwake

AC Members
Nov 5, 2008
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Ontario, Canada
I just got it the other day and it spends most of its time at the top of the tank beside a wall... when he swims around he just follows the perimeter of the tank like he's blind or something... anyone know what might be going on? if he's sick or just odd?
 
What kind of filter do you have? What size tank? What are you water parameters (ph, nitrites, nitrates, ammonia, GH, KH, water temp)? Is this a cycled tank?
 
What are the numbers for the water parameters? Are you using a liquid test kit or strips? What are the other fish in your tank? How long has this tank been setup?
 
my levels : ph7.5 gh120 kh180 nitrite0 nitrate0 amonia1

..the tank has been set up for about 2 months, fish for about 2 1/2 weeks except the platy.

I have a female beta, 2 mollies (a silver and black), and a blue skirt tetra (and of course the platy)
 
my levels : ph7.5 gh120 kh180 nitrite0 nitrate0 amonia1

..the tank has been set up for about 2 months, fish for about 2 1/2 weeks except the platy.

I have a female beta, 2 mollies (a silver and black), and a blue skirt tetra (and of course the platy)


If your amonia is at 1 ppm and your reading 0 nitrates in your tank, with the fish only in there two and a half weeks. I would say your tank is not cycled, it is just starting. You need to do water changes to get that amonia down to as close to zero as you can and keep it there. If your not familiar with cycling, there is a good "sticky" here: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84598

Are you using liquid tests or the strips? If you can obtain some filter media or gravel from an established tank to put in your filter it would speed up the process for you a little. If the amonia is that high than that is why your fish are stressed. Keep up on the water changes and you should come out on top.

Caleb
 
Your tank is not cycled and that is causing the problem. You need to do like crat said and do water changes to get the ammonia to 0. Also, you may want to think about rehoming that blackskirt tetra as they are schooling fish and require a school which you can't support in that 10 gallon. They are also fin nippers so it may start nipping at your female betta.
 
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