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Two days ago I bought two platies for my fish tank. I'm just starting to put fish in it so they're the only two fish in there right now.

One of them is swimming around and seems ok but the other one is swimming in the same spot at the top of the tank near my heater and filter. I know he's actually swimming and not just dead at the top. I think I should have pretty good amounts of oxygen in the tank because I use an air pump and my filter moves the water quite a bit. He doesn't look like he's gulping or trying to get more air in any way either.

I don't know if this is just stress from him having to move tanks or if there's something wrong with him. The only other thing I could think of that might help him is if I added more platies to the tank so they could school.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

What are your water parameters? If you don't have a test kit you can have a sample tested at your LFS.

How long has your tank been set up? You stated that these are the first fish in the tank, so I'm assuming that your tank hasn't cycled yet or you maybe completed a fishless cycle.

Jim

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Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

Hello and welcome to FP

I have a few questions.. SORRY ! Need info though.

Town or well water ? Did you use dechlorinator in the water when setting up ? (type ?) Did you cycle your 20g before adding your platies ? What is the temp ?

If you have a water test kit, pls test your Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates, Ph, and post the results for us.
If you don't have a kit, are you able to take a water sample (about a cup to be safe) to your fishstore to be tested ? If so, make sure they write down the results for you. This will give a better idea what's going on.

And to read this link on cycling...
http://www.fishprofiles.net/faq/begin-cycling.asp

New fish need a little time to adjust to a new tank. Still, don't add fish until you know for sure what's happening. I'd say don't add any for a month, this is called quarantining. This is a good practice. It would suck if you added new ones and it just made cycling more harsh, or if your current fish are sick or carriers of something and that was passed to the newer fish, or vice versa.

The platy by the heater is either stressed by the move or cycle (ammonia poisoning) or about to become sick shortly. Isolation is one possible sign. There are others you can watch for such as rapid gill movement, scratching, unusual motion, white poop or lack of, clamped fins, excess slime. Observe your fish carefully.
I wouldn't add a med unless you know for sure your fish is sick, what it has.

Can you get Biospira at your local fish store ? (LFS) That would help get your good bacteria colony started.

Will check back, and I hope your platy is doing ok

ps - OldTimer, looks like I typed too slow, I was the first one replying or so I thought LOL..

The Amazon Nut...

Not only the water peramiters required how big is that tank.
I can not add any more as nothing can be done until you get back with all the questions asked.

All we could do now would be guess and that is not what you require.

If you are new to fishkeeping I strongly suggest you invest in some booklets at your LFS or the local library.
Many LFS have free boklets these are usually supplied my manufacturers of Aquarium products. Also many second hand book shops have old books at a good price.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

I've got a test kit, I just didn't list the results, sorry.

It's a 20 gallon tank.
Ammonia level: Between 1 and 2 ppm (not the most specific test ever)
pH: Around 7.4
Temperature: 78 degrees F
The water is city water that was dechlorinated and then I waited a day before putting these fish in.
They are going to be my only cycle fish so I haven't cycled yet, I'm using them for that part.

Nevermind, he died last night after I posted this topic.

Thanks for trying to help anyway.

Do a water change. If you ever think any fish has a problem a water change should be the first treatment. Your platy died of ammonia poisining. This was due to the cycling process. In the future when you add any new fish change some water after about 2-3 days. This will dillute the ammonia to prevent its buildup to toxic levels. I'm sorry to hear that he didn't make it. How is the other one doing?

20 Gallon Long:
Aquaclear 300
2 Bolivian Rams, Mikrogeophagus altispinosus: Gumby and Pokey

The other one seems to be fine. He's still swimming around like nothing's wrong. I did change about 20% of the water after I found out the first one had died.

Do you think I should get at least one more platy just to make sure the other one isn't too lonely? Or would that just be hurting another fish?

When you know your tank has the correct water parameters I would definately get him a friend. He will be lonely on his own. Opposite sex if you don't want to breed!
Good luck Jettrscga

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My Fish like swimming all day long,
They love my bubbles 'pop' on their bum!
http://photos.yahoo.com/shedevil_90

NO
Wait atleast 3 weeks befor adding another fish
Atleast let the tank finish cycling.

20 Gallon Long:
Aquaclear 300
2 Bolivian Rams, Mikrogeophagus altispinosus: Gumby and Pokey

Hmm...ok, he just seems lonely on his own. He always stares at the glass and I thought he might need another fish to be with since they're normally schooling fish.

Ooook. Thanks for the help.

Sorry to hear you lost a platy. Ammonia poisoning for sure. Glad the other one seems ok. If you notice it acting the least bit funny, do a small water change. You can do this 2 ways. Test everything every day or ride it out and test in 3 weeks. When you have 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and SOME nitrates, your cycle is done.

Once it's cycled. Boost your platy's immune system with clean water and a variety of healthy foods.. Then add a couple new fish per week or two until stocking is where you want it. Don't forget platys breed like bunnies.

The Amazon Nut...