platy swimming somewhat erratically

AbsurdKnight

AbsurdKnight

Small Fish
#1
Aug 10, 2006
17
0
0
#1
:confused: My mickey mouse platy has ick right now and I am currently treating my tank with malachite green at 1/2 the dosage to get rid of the parasites. The platy doesn't quite swim right. It swims fine in the sense that it can swim whichever direction it wants to up, down, everywhere, but it's movements are a bit erratic and the fish is slightly tipped to one side, not very much but by about 10-15 degrees or so. It keeps swimming against the sides of the glass occasionally. Is it the ick bothering it or does my platy have a minor case of swim bladder? I've had to take out my carbon filter since I'm using malachite green so the water isn't getting filtered as nicely. Could that be part of the cause?
 

THUNDER

THUNDER

Banned
#2
Jul 22, 2006
567
4
0
#2
With no carbon in the filter, I would recommend you doing a partial water change (50%) before each additional treatments of Malachite Green (each time). That is, if you wish to continue the treatment of the medicine. It is more safer to increase the temperture to 84 degrees and add some aquarium salt to combat Ich. It will take about 1 to 2 weeks.

Thunder
 

Lotus

Lotus

Ultimate Fish
Moderator
#3
Aug 26, 2003
15,115
13
38
Southern California
home.earthlink.net
#3
I would advise you not to increase temperatures, and not to add salt while you're treating with malachite green. Follow the instructions on the bottle/packet to the letter. The lack of carbon isn't the problem. :)

It's possible the platy has a small swimbladder problem, or possibly an intestinal blockage. Is it eating? Is it heavily pregnant (if female)? You could withold feeding for a day or two to see if it's a blockage that clears. It's also possible the medications are affecting it slightly.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.