My platies and tetras are darting around in the tank and moving their fins super fast

peachyqui

Hi everyone,

I still can't figure out how to post pics or videos, so I know this might be harder to answer. I have three platies, 8 Platy fry, and four tetras right now in my 55 gallon tank. They're swimming around like crazy and moving their fins really, really fast. I've had them for about 2 months now. Just wondering if anyone knew what this could be. I'm getting water tested today, but I really don't want them to die!

Jayy

Umm... what exactly is the problem? Are the chasing each other? Or what?

peachyqui

They're not really chasing each other, they're just swimming really fast. When they're just sort of sitting in place, their fins are moving really, really fast.

Jayy

That doesn't sound bad out of the ordinary to me. Is this your first time keeping fish?

peachyqui

I guess it's just that they never swim that fast. It's unusual for them, it seems. Yeah, this is my first time, and I got some really bad advice when I first started, so I lost a lot of fish, so I probably just overreact every time they do something they don't normally. I'm glad to hear it's probably nothing though.

TwinDad

What filter do you have on that 55 Gallon tank? it sounds as if there is too much current for them and they are fighting the current to try and stay still.

Sam Crow

Darting around in short/sudden spurts is usually a sign of either poor healthy and/or poor water quality. Test your levels and consider a 10-20% water change.

Another reason might be mating. The fish my be experiencing "that loving feeling".

Currents wont really make then compulsively dart around. They would just find the calmest sport in the tank and stay there.

If they seem to be moving their gills rapidly, swimming aimlessly, nipping the surface and darting, it's most likely due to poor water quality. Levels are likely off, possible ammonia spike, ext.

Test your levels. If you don't have a test kit, then take a sample of water to your local pet/fish store. They will test for free (then buy a test kit while there).

Here is my trick for successful water changes. Pre-treat your water BEFORE putting it in the tank. Use a typical water conditioner. I use old water cooler drums (5 gallon). I fill them with COLD tap water and then add the conditioner. I also add a few drops of stress coat and stress zyme. I put a plastic bag over the opening, then poke a few holes in the bag for ventilation. I prepare this 2 days before adding it to my tank. A few times a day I shake the drums. This lets chlorine gas leave the water, helps promote mixing the chemicals and allows for the water to reach room temp. 2 days or so after I prepared my conditioned water, I do my water changes. Works perfectly (like a charm). I actually do 2 water changes a week now (weather needed or not) to my established tanks. Fish enjoy the water changes (sometimes inducing labor for pregnant fish ready to give birth) and my levels are ALWAYS perfect. I do a 15-20% change at least once a week. That's my trick/routine. I've had nothing but excellent results doing water changes this way. Hope that helps someone.

peachyqui

I'm not sure, but I don't think that's it because a. they only do this occasionally, and b. it's a 55 gallon so they shouldn't be too affected by the filter on the other side of the tank. Thanks for the idea though!

peachyqui

Sam Crow, thanks for the info. I think probably it was mating because I got my water tested and everything was fine, and I just did a water change. Thanks for the help!