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How long before put back in regular tank?
By aurorahorse, Section Ask Guppylog Posted on Mon May 29, 2006 at 12:35:35 PM PST

I have a platy that I have raised from birth...she is 1.5 years old. I had taken her out of the 55 gallon because she has a partially paralyzed front fin (the ones behind gills...pectoral I think?) and back then, I had a particularly aggressive male who has since gone to another pet shop.

This female has for several months been living with a male betta who, unknown to me, has apparently had internal parasites for a year. (yes, they got along great!) The betta passed away this weekend (before I could put him down with clove's oil...he had been through 2 cyles of internal parasite food with no help).

I think far as the fin issue, the female platy is safe to put back in the 55 gallon with my other fish now. I am worried if she could be carrying the parasites, though. She is VERY healthy, except for that fin...no thinness, etc. that I now know means parasites. Could she pass them on to other fish, though?

So, I am debating whether it is safe or if I should keep her isolated for a while or for rest of her life. I hate her being lonely, but don't want to be carrying any parasites back to the 55 gallon which I am hoping is finally parasite free.

Thanks
Dawn

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How long before put back in regular tank? | 6 comments (6 topical, 0 hidden)

Re: How long before put back in regular tank? (none / 0) (#6)
by nokiaber on Fri Aug 25, 2006 at 07:20:48 PM PST

Analyzing internal parasites can be tricky. And (none / 0) (#1)
by unclescott on Mon May 29, 2006 at 10:22:18 AM PST

as you suggest, we often don't realize they are there until something unfortunate happens.

Did your male Betta show anything leaving the body which would indicate internal parasites?

Was that Betta becoming emaciated? That could indicate Hexamida, but if he was a year or two or three old, it could also just have been aging. Aging is usually not the case unless it is an older fish (for the species) and so that too can be a rather arbitrary explanation for a death.

But it does happen. And it is more likely with fish which have been correctly and thoughtfully cared for. I would guess that in the aquariums of experienced aquarists, a greater percentage of Bettas and guppies die of old age than in a population of wild fish.

If you still have misgivings about your female, then administer one of the standard treatments for internal parasites. Your LFS should have one for sale. (I know, that old "cha-ching!" factor again.) That sometimes is worth the money for the conscientious aquarist, just to know that the fish is safer company for others.

And then you have that treatment for whoever you purchase and quarantine.

All the best!
unclescott

Re: Analyzing internal parasites can be tricky. (none / 0) (#2)
by aurorahorse on Mon May 29, 2006 at 02:30:33 PM PST

Well, I never thought about him just being old...I thought they lived longer than 1.5 years. I got him Christmas 2004...that would definitely make me feel better and explain why the internal parasite food didn't work after two doses (several weeks of feeding). I'll go look later on their life span. Yeah, he was SKINNY...and got to where he just lay on his side when he wasn't eating. Poor guy.

Dawn

[ Parent ]

Supposedly Bettas have lived to 3 or 4. I think (none / 0) (#3)
by unclescott on Mon May 29, 2006 at 08:44:38 PM PST

that has happened, but that may be a combination of terrific care, relatively cool temperatures for a Betta and dumb luck. ;)

I had one South American annual killifish live to an age of 4. Annuals are supposed to live one year. But she hadn't read the books. And I had her (a cold tolerant Austrolebias nigripinnis female) on the basement floor where she was often at 60 degrees F / 15-16 C.

Each fish species will have different temperature ranges. The cooler side will slow down growth, reproduction, cycling of the tank, and somewhat limit aggression. But they will live longer, if they don't shock from the cold.

ATB!
unc

[ Parent ]

Re: Supposedly Bettas have lived to 3 or 4. I thin (none / 1) (#4)
by Jaymi on Tue May 30, 2006 at 05:37:57 AM PST

The average (well cared for) Betta will live to be three years old, though it is fairly common among betta people to have one reach the ripe old age of four.

I have a betta that is five, and showing no sign of slowing down. I don't know if he has been swimming in water from the fountain of youth or what, but he is pretty old. :)

Bettas are usually between a year, and a year and a half old when you buy them, unless they come directly from the breeder.

If you get them from a breeder, they are usually between 3 and 6 months old.

[ Parent ]

Re: Supposedly Bettas have lived to 3 or 4. I thin (none / 0) (#5)
by aurorahorse on Tue May 30, 2006 at 09:18:02 AM PST

Ahhh ok...I had mine for 1.5 years, so he was probably 2.5-3 years old...maybe it was old age after all. That would explain why the platy never got sick.:)

I'm going to move her into a smaller tank today and clean out and let the 5 gallon they lived in air dry to be safe, though. Then after she is in the 1 gallon for 2 weeks and if still healthy, then I'll decide whether to move.

Thanks everyone!

Dawn

[ Parent ]

How long before put back in regular tank? | 6 comments (6 topical, 0 hidden)

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