Platy breathing heavily and floats at top of tank(NEED quick answer!)

**cerda911** · 03-02-2012, 04:12 AM

Hi i have a pregnant platy and she is huge now. All day she was fine swimming around and everything, acting normal but a few hours ago she began to breath heavily and just float at the top corner of the tank. She seems uncoordinated and often crashes into the tank very gently though. Is she about to give birth, should i move her into a different tank now because i really want to keep the Fry. Thanks

**cuckoochews** · 03-02-2012, 04:17 AM

Sounds like a water quality issue... How long has the tank been set up? Is it cycled? Water perimeters???

**cerda911** · 03-02-2012, 04:24 AM

It's been set up for about 2 weeks and its cycled. When i took a water sample to petsmart a few days ago everything was said to be fine, and i also have another platy in there who is fine.

**Goes to 11!** · 03-02-2012, 04:24 AM

2 weeks? Did you cycle it with fish or without?

Actual numbers are far more helpful here than 'just fine' wrt parameters. Tank size & other stock?

**cerda911** · 03-02-2012, 04:26 AM

Tank size 10 gallon
Stock is 5
2 Mickey mouse Platy
3 baby goldfish(temporary location)

**cerda911** · 03-02-2012, 04:31 AM

Originally Posted by 850R

2 weeks? Did you cycle it with fish or without?

Actual numbers are far more helpful here than 'just fine' wrt parameters. Tank size & other stock?

cycled Without fish and i did as the tank guide told me.

**Goes to 11!** · 03-02-2012, 04:33 AM

I would infer from the fact that you took your water to the LFS to be tested that you have no test kit, How did you monitor your levels while cycling your tank?

I ask because this is KEY information that is not optional when cycling.

**cerda911** · 03-02-2012, 04:40 AM

Originally Posted by 850R

I would infer from the fact that you took your water to the LFS to be tested that you have no test kit, How did you monitor your levels while cycling your tank?

I ask because this is KEY information that is not optional when cycling.

Well the only test kit i have is a pH test kit that my mom bought me(she got me the fish and the new tank). and i dont have enough money for a full kit but that reading was a 6.5 for the pH

**Goes to 11!** · 03-02-2012, 04:47 AM

Ok, again:

How did you monitor your levels while cycling your tank?

Aslo, How did you determine that your filter was cycled?

I ask because I am doubting that you have a cycled tank if you had no way to test your water.

Please answer the above questions and know that you are very likely cycling with fish at the moment and this will require Ammonia, Nitrite & Nitrate[This one not immediately] tests to monitor.

**cerda911** · 03-02-2012, 04:51 AM

Originally Posted by 850R

Ok, again:

How did you monitor your levels while cycling your tank?

Aslo, How did you determine that your filter was cycled?

I ask because I am doubting that you have a cycled tank if you had no way to test your water.

Please answer the above questions and know that you are very likely cycling with fish at the moment and this will require Ammonia, Nitrite & Nitrate[This one not immediately] tests to monitor.

Honestly i did as the Top fin guide told me. the one that came with the tank that my mom got me for my birthday and i followed what it said and all it said was let tank run with no fish for 5 days and i did that and it said to start adding in fish. I did that but but didnt take my own water levels It's my first tank btw and i am a beginner and im guessing i screwed up pretty bad right?