FishProfiles.com Message Forums

One of my female Platies has been swimming kinda strange for the last few days. She appears to be trying to swim to the top of the tank, but can't make it. She is nearly vertical all the time, with her head up, but she kinda waddles in the water. (Best way to describe it is, she looks like my golden retriever dog when he wags his tail and his whole butt moves). It would seem like her fins aren't working, but in reality, they are all working fine. I tested the water last week and everything is where it should be. (Ammon = 0, Nitrites =0, Nitrates = 20-40, pH 7.6, temp 79º F). I did do a 25% water change last nite as well.

If you have read any of my other posts, this is the female that gave birth in the middle of sept, and has been chased by the male ever since. She has also been chased (and done some chasing) of my male dwarf gourami.

She seems to still be eating okay, and when she wants to swim more horizontally, she seems fine, but she doesn't do that much any more.

Is it swim bladder? What can I do to help her, and will it hurt the other fish?

Current tankmates: 2 other Platies (1m/1f), lots of platy frys (20+), 1 dwarf gourami (m), 6 panda cories, 8 glo-lite tetras.

Thanks

Some hobbyists like to try this just in case it's a constipation issue...

Stop feeding for 3-4 days. If symptoms persist, feed the affected fish a small amount of fresh spinach or a green pea without the skin (laxatives).

If the problem is with the internal valve that controls gas-in-gas-out, not much can be done.

Maybe you'll get lucky.

--garyroland.