Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

abc123 asked in PetsFish · 1 decade ago

new fish tank with one platy-what should i do?

I setup my fish tank which is a 20 gallon. It has 3 fake plants and one big castle as a center piece.

I dechlorinated the water and had the tank running for 3 full days. I added live liquid bacteria to jump start the cycling process. I added one wagtail platy yesterday. Before adding my fish I had the water checked at the local fish store-and the water was fine. The temperature is 76 degrees and ph levels are normal. I checked the ammonia today and its 0 and so is the nitrites and nitrates.

My wagtail platy is swimming at teh bottom. Its a male and not really active. When I put my hand in he moves away. But he just in one corner.

Why is he acting like this?

Update:

also hes not eating

2 Answers

Relevance
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Because the tank is not cycled. Don't add any more fish for 3-5 weeks because theres a good chance that an ammonia spike could wipe out the fish.

    When everything is settled you can add 2-3 more platies to liven him up, just try to avoid females or you'll be overrun with fry before you know it.

    Also, try not to put your hand in the tank.

  • 1 decade ago

    You did not cycle the tank, so it is filling up with ammonia. Fish cant blink so he has ammonia, basically bleach, in is eyes, gills and mouth.

    You need to do water changes every other day until the cycle is finished, test the water every few days. it could take 4-8 weaks cycling a fish tank with fish. I would return the fish and fishless cycle. maybe the store were you got it will hold it for you.

Still have questions? Get your answers by asking now.