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I have a red wag platy that is acting very weird. First of all, it has been in the tank for a month. It was used to cycle the tank. I bought 2 mickey mouse platies to go with it because they were out of red wags, and the person I talked to told me they would bond like any platies. The one I'm concerned about is a female, and ever since I got the 2 mickey mouse platies has been very antisocial, hanging on the bottom, and for the most part ignoring food. Now for the part I'm really concerned about: my dad was walking by the tank a minute ago and said, "your platy is dying,"(note the concern).I went over to check it out, and it was darting madly around the tank and when it stopped it layed on its side for about 5 seconds. More darting, and then it just started acting like it was before it darted. Very weird, is it just antisocial and lonely or is it sick?

29gal 30"x12"x18" LxDxH
Penguin 150 filtration

76-78* temp
pH 6.6
nitrate 20-30 ppm
ammo-0
nitrite-0
Inhabitants: 2 GBR's, 2 mickey mouse platies, the sick red wag platy, 3 cories


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I like Led Zeppelin.

In my experience platy's prefer a higher pH, more like 7.2 - 7.6. Small amounts of Baking Soda will raise the pH. Go very slowly with it though as it is potent stuff. Get some powder on the tip of a teaspoon and add it once daily until you get a higher pH. It might also be that the nitrate is too high. Do some small water changes to reduce the nitrate and see what happens.

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Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

It wouldn't be the pH I don't think, the other platies are fine. I'll do a w/c today and see if that helps.

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I like Led Zeppelin.

Looking at their profile it is suggested to have a pH between 7 and 8. Even though one platy is okay the pH could still be the problem. The sick one could have a lower stress capacity and is feeling the effects of low pH sooner than the other one is.

Let us know what happens and good luck

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Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.