Platy from hell!!!

terry_hill

I have had my tank now for about 2 years and it has always had good water quality (it is only a small "aqua one"). when I set it up the lfs which has always seemed trust worthy advised me to start it out with 2 platys which I did (both of which turned out to be male).

I then began to stock the tank with six tetras 3 of which died I thought due to the sudden increase in fish in the tank effecting water quality but after testing it was found to be fine. I added 3 more tetras back in and some guppies which then gradually all also died with signs of fin nipping (one was pretty much eaten but I figured this may have happened after it died).

I think it is all down to the orange Platy I have which seems to pick on a fish until it dies and then moves onto the next fish continuing the process. It has so far killed 1 Platy, 3 tetras and 4 guppies.

Is it down to mating wishes or is this just the omen in fish form!?!?!?!

terry_hill

36 views and not a single reply.......

is there really no solution?!?!?!

1077

what EXActly do water tests say? ammonia, nitrites, nitrates? what type of test kit is being used? how often and how much water is being changed? what water conditioners and or chemicals are being used in the tank? what type of filtration ? what model? how many gallon is the tank? are there plants? what fish are currently in the tank? any snails that you have possibly treated tank for? How long did fish last before dying ? The term gradually could be taken in terms of hours, days, months. Perhaps if these questions are answered more people can respond . :(

iamntbatman

It seemed odd to me that so many fish have died and that you suspect the Platy is the culprit, yet you haven't actually witnessed the Platy bothering the other fish. At least, this is the impression I got from the information provided. Platies aren't known to be all that aggressive but can be somewhat nippy on occasion. Have you seen the fish actually nipping at/attacking other fish? If you've never actually seen it happen, I would tend to go with some other reason for the death of your fish, such as disease or poor water quality. The tattered fins could just as well be fin rot.

terry_hill

It is a small aqua one 320. it has some realy plants in although I don't know what type and I do have snails but never so many I thought them a problem and treated for them should I?

water tests have been clear when tested at LFS and the tank is in the lounge so in front of me all the time I am in there.

the stocking went in as 2 platys followed by 6 tetra after another month then 4 guppies 2 months after that.

I have watched the Platy heard all the other fish into the corner of the tank and any that stray out he chases and nips at (out of character I know which is why I have asked). I think the only reason that the tetras have survived is that they seem to be quick enough to get away. I haven't had a fish die quite a while as all that is left is the fast tetras but I want to add some stock but not before I have fathomed out the crazy Platy.

I have segregated him from the others now for the time being and everything else seems happier not being harrased until he escapes and rounds them all up again.

1077

Sounds like you truly have an unusual Platy. I only asked about snails because some times folks use chemicals to try and rid snails form the tank and in the process these chemicals can cause serious problems with water quality, also when snails die they can cause ammonia levels to become lethal thus, killing fish. Vaccuming the bottom of the tank helps keep ammonia levels at Zero along with water changes weekly using good dechlorinator such as PRIME,or Amquel. Perhaps you might consider seeing if fish store would take the Platy off your hands. While you are there I would look for a quality water test kit such as API master freshwater kit that uses drops instead of strips which many will tell you are not always accurate. In this way, you can perform your own tests and it will help you to eliminate some of the guesswork when water quality or fish health problems become an issue. Hope some of this helps! PS snails are harmless in aquariums. :)