Parasite or something else?

[Southerrngirrl]

My platy has the following symptoms:

- white poo, at one stage it was red
- fins look split and damaged
- fins ocassionally clamped

Other than that he is eating fine and swimming actively although he has short periods of hovering at the top of the tank behind the powerhead.

I originally thought the signs of the fin damage, hovering at the top of the water and clamped fins were stress from being bullied by the Rainbow Shark, but the shark has been removed from the tank now.

Water conditions:
pH 6.0-6.4
ammonia 0ppm
nitirites 0ppm
nitrates less than 10ppm

I did a search for other posts relating to parasites and their symptoms but nothing described all the symptoms he has. Any ideas??

I need to get this issue resolved before I go home today, if I need to get some medication or garlic I'll do that on my way home, so i can start treatment asap.

Cheers

 

[Southerrngirrl]

Wow.. don't all post at once now.. 1pm is the deadline. After that I'll have to go else where for help.

 

[Kasakato]

Are its eyes ok? It kind of sounds like pop eye. Or it may just be me lol.

 

[Southerrngirrl]

Are its eyes ok? It kind of sounds like pop eye. Or it may just be me lol.

No its eyes look normal.

 

[Kasakato]

Hmm. Iv got the same problem with my Platy too. Dose yours just hang out at the top of the tank, and not school? I also need an answer.

 

[Boohoo]

I read that split fins can be a sign of flukes. Check out this site it lists symptoms and abnormal behavior.
http://www.goldfishinfo.com/identify.htm

 

[Holly9937]

All of my platys hang out toward the top of the water, always have, I assumed thats just their spot!! as for the split fins you could try melafix, I wouldn't treat for any bacteria infections or anything like that until you have more definate signs of a more serious problem.
It might take it a while to realize that it won't be harassed anymore! It could still be stressed out from that, and from all the activity of you catching the other fish from the tank! Its probably fine, but keep a good eye on it

 

[Southerrngirrl]

Hmm. Iv got the same problem with my Platy too. Dose yours just hang out at the top of the tank, and not school? I also need an answer.

Occassionally he will do that, not constantly.

I've been to my LFS and he says that white poo is not necessarily something to stress out over. If it is indeed a parasite, its more than likely going to clear itself up. He suggested I feed some green food such as spirulina flakes. When I mentioned the split, damaged fins he said it sounds bacterial and recommended treating with melafix.

Thanks for that link Boohoo. Looks very helpful.