My platies are lethargic on the bottom?

Question

I'm very concerned about my 2 platies. I have had 1 for a week and the other for only 2 days and they are both heavy on the bottom. I tried fishless cycling, but after the tank being set up and running for six weeks, it was only half-way thru the cycling. Petco recommended adding 2 fish, so we did. I bought a test kit and PH, ammonia, and nitrites are high because the tank is cycling. So I did a partial water change, but I think I changed too much because one of the fish died immediately. So we got another fish and now I am afraid to change the water again. Some say change the water during cycling and some say do not. Anyway, my question is there anything I can do for the fish since they are suffering so badly? Can the ammonia and nitrites be reduced while they are in the tank w/o having to do a partial water change? I add aqua safe to the water, no salt, and used stress zyme when fishless cycling first 6 weeks. I hate seeing the fish suffer!

Answer 1

The only way to lower the ammonia is by doing water changes, people are correct that during the cycle process you should not need to do a water changes, however in the presents of high ammonia it is vital that you do water changes to lower it for your fish.
Ammonia is very deadly and toxic in small amounts if yours is high its no wonder your fish are dying.
Id do small daily water changes to lower them of about 25% and feed very lightly. Do not add anymore fish even if they all die.
Your tank is not a safe place for fish at the moment

Answer 2

I am sorry to say so but you really should have waited until the cycle was complete before you added the fish regardless of what Petco said. Unfortunately employees there don't always know what they are talking about or they just want to sell you some fish. You added the fish at the worst time but I hope this can be a learning experience for you. Yes some say change the water, some say don't and there are different reasons for both, this is just not a good time to have fish in the tank and changing the water or not changing the water doesn't change the fact that the water is still cycling and until it is done it is not safe for fish. Changing the water also gets rid of the beneficial bacteria colonies that are so fragile and new and vital to the tank's system, but reversely it will get rid of the nitrites and ammonia too. Not changing the water will save the beneficial bacteria but will also keep the ammonia and nitrites in the tank. You can see why this is a tricky time for a tank and either way it does not solve the problem. There is not a ton you can do for your fish at this point, unfortunately, unless you take them back or give than away until your cycle is complete. Otherwise they will just suffer through the cycle and they may die but they may live. It is a risk.

Answer 3

it must be because of the fact the different fish are bullying her, you should attempt keeping apart her into yet another tank, or placed her in a brooder internet or catch that floats interior the winning tank, untill she starts off finding extra advantageous. once you reintroduce her it must be properly worth putting some different females into the tank together with her and the adult males so the adult males can unfold their interest for the time of all the girls as a replace of only concentrating on the only lady.

Answer 4

you will need to do partial waterchanges of at least 10% daily to keep your ammonia levels down and help your fish survive

If they recommended adding fish, they should have told you to get zebra danios and not platies

platies are not hardy at all, and will die if only a bit of ammonia is present, whereas a zebra danio is very hardy and will survive your cycle



hope that helps
good luck


EB




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