Another floating fish..

[Damien]

Hey everyone,
I'm new to this site and am in need of advice. I have a small tank with platties and have had them for almost 2 years now. They've always been very healthy, breeding often, no problems etc..
Only a few days ago, my favourite and oldest platty, the mother of the tank has started to have trouble swimming. She tries to swim but it seems like something in her gut keeps flipping her upside down. She seems to be quite distressed and was constantly trying to straighten herself up, but to no avail. It has now come to stage where she is worn out and just floats belly up in the corner or trapped between a rock. All the other fish in the tank are fine and still very healthy.
I've searched for other posts about this, but just wanted some more advice. Do you think its the swim bladder and do you think i should try peas??
I know it's only a platty (i have a large cichlid tank too) but i seem to be attatched to this certain platty! Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks.

 

[revhtree]

I know nothing about fresh water, but I thought I would speed up the process for someone who knows what there talking about

Can you give some info on your tank? (size, water paramiteres, how long has it been set up, ect..ect..)

PS. Sorry to hear about your fish.

 

[azn dreamer]

First of all welcome to Aquarium Advice.

Is your platy a Red Wagtail Platy? If it is, your platy might be getting to its maximum life expectancy. The average lifespan is only like 3-4years. If it isn't this, it'll probably be your water parameters. Please post so we can help

 

[Menagerie]

[center:946fa417a1] Welcome to AA, Damien! [/center:946fa417a1]

She seems to be quite distressed and was constantly trying to straighten herself up, but to no avail. It has now come to stage where she is worn out and just floats belly up in the corner or trapped between a rock. All the other fish in the tank are fine and still very healthy.
I've searched for other posts about this, but just wanted some more advice. Do you think its the swim bladder and do you think i should try peas??

My gut feeling is there is a problem with the swimbladder. She is also an elderly fish I am sorry to say. Just as with people various systems start to break down as fish age. Take comfort in knowing you gave this platty great care during her life and keep her as comfortable as you can.
I highly recommend peas once a week for any fish that will eat them. When it's pea night at my house, that's all the fish get for the night. My community tank, Mbuna cichlids, and Mollies love them. I use frozen peas, microwave them, peel them and serve!

Since you are new to the board, I will also ask the standard Qs~
What size tank?
What/how many fish are in there?
Water parameters (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, temp, pH)?

 

[Guest]

old age can afect fish organs. it could have swimbladder???

 

[cheezysquirrelz]

I agree, it sounds like swimbladder. Swimbladder is caused by a bacterial infection from breeding, netting, or poor water quality. You said that you breed platies so it sounds right. To treat swimbladder, put the fish in a shallow tank just a few inches above the top of it, and give it antibiotics.