Weird Platy Deformity?

[Mturner615]

I was on vacation, and just came back, and I found this giant crater-like pit on the side of my platy.

I asked my dad, who had been watching the fish, and he said that it was kinda bloated a few days ago, but now it seems back to normal size, except for the crater like pit...

The platy seems to be eating fine, but tents to stay swimming near the bottom. She's in a community tank, and I wanna know if there's something I can treat the tank with so that the others don't get whatever she has/had.

Here's a picture attached so you guys can see what I mean. Any ideas? Sorry about the picture being so dark. It's the obviously lighter circular area on the side.

 

[RexyTexel]

It could be some sort of parasite or bacterail infection that's eating away at the flesh. I'm not positive on this but it's just an idea...even if it is a morbid one to think about. :/

 

[Mturner615]

That's what I thought, but I'm wondering why haven't the other fish been affected? And what can I use as a preventative treatment since we don't know if it's bacterial or paracital to stop the other fish from getting it?

 

[RexyTexel]

It may just take longer for the other fish to get affected. Sort of how Ich has to break out of it's shell become free swimming in order to find a new host fish. I wish I had something more to offer you as far as advice goes. Maybe you could try some aquarium salt just to help build a good slime coat on your fish. Some more experienced aquarists may have better input.

 

[Mturner615]

Ok. I typically add salt every few water changes anyway, but thanks for the suggestion. Hopefully someone else will have some input soon.