platy fry always resting on bottom

[SamandAnne]

Hi all,

I have another thread that mentions this and a disease I'm having with my female platy, but I thought it might be easier to separate the two issues out. I have an about 4 week old platy fry (not sure exactly when it was born!) that I was keeping in a livebearer breeder in my 3 gallon tank.

I started using a PimaFix/MelaFix combo in the main tank for fin & tail rot on one fish. I thought the fry would be ok with this. But by day 2, it was always resting on the bottom of the tank, and it looks like its gasping.

Since tested the ammonia and found it extremely high. I took the fry out of the livebearer tank (which has water exchange with the main tank) and put it in a container with no water exchange. I did 50% water changes over the last 3 days so that it would only have fresh water in there (no meds, no ammonia).

It still just sits at the bottom, though it will swim over and eat some food that is at the bottom, and occasionally move if one of the adult fish gets too close to where it's resting. It used to be extremely fast and active, always swimming closer to the top and hiding in its plants (it's exposed on the bottom).

Any ideas/suggestions? Otherwise, it looks normal as far as I can tell. It is still very small. :)

Thank you very much!

[Little Embers]

Maybe adding a little artifical plant for it to hide in will make it feel a bit more secure. I would also try to maintain a constant temperature for it, say around 25*F as they do need and like warmth. Hope the little fella makes it!

[SamandAnne]

Thanks,

Unfortunately, the little guy died. It had a warm temp in the main tank and some floating plants, but I think the medicine for my other fish probably set it back. Not sure what could help it recover. Thanks for your help!

[Little Embers]

That's a real shame!! I was going to ask how he/she was fareing, but was a bit afraid to ask. Yes! some meds. can be very toxic to fry unfortunately.