Red Spots on my little Platy

[DareU2]

I have a 55 gallon Freshwater community tank that is 48" long x 12.5" wide x 19" deep. In it I had 2 Bolivian Rams, 1 Platy, 1 Opaline Gourami, 1 Blue Gourami, 1 Rainbow Shark, 1 Dojo Loach and 1 Pleco. The tank has been established for 2 months. I don't have any testing info (sorry, I'm a newbie) In the tank we have 1 ceramic-like tree stump, 6 fake plants, 9 or 10 live plants (names unknown) and gravel substrate. For filtration I have 1 aqua-tech waterfall filter for 20-40 gallons and 1 aqua-tech waterfall filter for 30-60 gallons. I also have a top fin 300 watt submersible heater with water kept at 78 degrees, a 7" Bubble Wall, and lighting is 2 aqua-glo 15 watt aquarium bulbs. Feeding schedule is blood worms and brine shrimp in the A.M. and Tetracolor brand tropical flakes in the evening. Just as much as they will eat in a few minutes. water stays pretty clear. Water change of 25% done once a week normally but due to recent illnesses we have been doing water changes of 25% every 3 days. They have been treated recently for internal parasites with JPC.

Now my last remaining Dwarf Sunset Platy has horrible red spots on her sides and tail. She has lost weight and hides at the bottom of the tank. I just don't know what it is. HELP! PLEASE!

 

[justonemoretank]

Since you don't know about your water quality, I'd say that's the first thing to take care of. Your LFS will probably test it for free. This sounds like ammonia burn to me, but it could be anything -- without knowing water parameters, it's really hard to tell. It sounds like you have been losing fish, and that might be the reason. Oh, and if your LFS does test your water, don't necessarily buy all the stuff they tell you to -- be sure and research first. It will save you lots of money.

 

[DareU2]

will test as soon as i can. Thank you for the response.

 

[metalyx]

Another thing to consider as my first tank was very similar to this. The platys will injure and scar red. One of my dwarf gourami spent time picking on the female platy's and everywhere they got bit turned red and stayed that way. If the chemicals are within bounds watch your guys really close for a good hour or two. Might have a bully on your hands.

Good luck and swim on!

 

[swede]

watch and see if the rams or any other fish are bullying the platy. also, thats a very empty tank for a 55 gallon. you only have 1 platy? they do better in schools..... 8 or more will not only fill out the tank, but will reduce the stress. it may hide at the bottom from stress and from bullying and fin nipping

 

[DareU2]

thanks for all advice, but I lost my little platy just an hour after I posted. I dont think it was bullying. The red spots were perfectly round and looked almost like small tumors and I watched very closely. I think it was a parasite of some kind. I started out with 4 platys and lost all others to an internal parasite. Little Uno was the last one. She was ok for about 2 weeks after losing the others. She had an unstoppable appetite and seemed very happy and then out of nowhere, she stopped eating like she had been and started hiding under the bubbler. Then the sores developed and just a few short hours later she was gone.

 

[k0y0te]

R.I.P. Uno. She'll be missed