Please help my platy

[monomunky]

I've had my fish Butters for a little over a month now. He has lived quite happily with four other platies (Elvis, Priscilla,Jose Cuervo, and Billie Joe) and my cory cat (Motley) but over the past few weeks I've noticed that he has gotten quite fat. Is he really a "she" and preggers? I hope he/she isn't sick! I couldn't find the black spots near the bottom fins,but s/he kept swimming away. Also, I have to take my fish on a six hour car ride home with me tomorrow! The campus won't let us keep our fish in the dorms over spring break, which means I also have to cart them back in a week. How can I make this less stressful?



Thanx :help:

[mouse]

Put some stresscoat in the water. I'm not normally an advocate of this, but since the guys will be jostled around, it would be a good idea.

Get a cheap cooler to keep them in on the journey. This will minimize temperature changes in the water.

Save and transport as much of their water as you can. They'll have enough stress without being subjected to new water. I don't know whether you're taking your tank, but you should take as much gravel and as many objects from the tank as possible; the "good" bacteria are stored there, and will be needed.

Good luck to you and the fishies!!!

[monomunky]

Thanks,Mouse! I already did that, so I guess I'm better at this then I thought. Everything (even their heater and their water)is going with us. I have them in a cooler with their water, the rest of the water is bottled, and the aquarium is packed, along with the meds.(just in case) I also put their plants in the cooler, and a lovely dose of stresscoat.I had a cooler on hand, that's what they chill in while I clean the tank,so I guess we're all set.

I'm still worried about Butters though. If s/he is pregnant she looks like she's going to pop. If not, I'm gonna have an exploding fish here soon.

[bumble]

yeah she looks preggers.

Good Luck hun..all will work out! Just be gentle and careful when transporting her. :)