Is my female platy sick or pregnant?

Question

I have only had my female platy for about a week. Today she has been hanging out at the bottom of the tank, or she hides underneath the cave ornament. She looks like she is breathing heavy and she has a dark spot behind her anal fin, but it is kind of red. I put a medication tablet in the tank that is suppose to destroy any external or internal diseases and/or parasites. But, her belly looks pretty big. Is she sick or really pregnant?

One of my other fish that was in the same tank died last night. Could she have gotten something from the other sick fish?

Answer 1

Well, she could be pregnant and sick. I would guess pregnant by the gravid spot that you mentioned near her anal fin. I would guess she is sick because of her behavior. Female livebeares should remain quite active, even up until the time they give birth. Her heavy breathing, bottom dwelling habits, and hiding indicate some sort of disease, especially since one of your other fish died. Or it could easily be a water problem... how is your pH, ammonia, and nitrate levels? You can get those checked at most pet stores. A problem in any of those areas can just as easily lead to fish death as disease. Good luck and hope your platy does well.

Answer 2

Hey Megan,

Your platy is pregnant and not sick
Never put medication in a tank if you don't know for a fact that a fish is sick

That the gravid spot is red or orange is absolutely normal, because the babies will be orange colored when they're born

If a fish died yesterday, you rather want to check your ammonia levels before putting in any kind of medication

Check your ammonia, and see if it's "0", if not, that might have been the problem your other fish dieing

If it's of the chart you will need to do a partial waterchange of at least 50% with a gravel siphon, and follow up with 25% partial waterchanges every 2 days, until your ammonia is in control

As for your platy hanging on the bottom is absolutely normal behavior for a pregnant livebearer, that means usually that she is just short before birth, but with your adding of medication, you might have stressed her out, I hope for you that she doesn't abort


Anyway, good luck, for any questions, feel free to email me



Hope that helps
Good luck



EB