Ok, I have a 5 gallon tank with 3 male platies. My beautiful sunset platy is always being bullied by the biggest one. He tried to hide behind the filter (its an internal filter, and this is the second time he's tried that). This time he really hurt himself. His scales are almost all stripped off on his one side, they're still attached, but they're just kinda hanging from his side. He also ripped apart one of his gills, and the other gill is also not looking that great. He still swims, but he only came up once for food today. I took one of my ornaments out of one of my other tanks, washed it and then put it in the platy tank so that he could hide in it. What should I do? Will adding salt help?

I am so sorry to hear about your fish. Poor little thing

I would try Melafix. It is a mild medicine that will help healing. It won't hurt your cycle, and I have added it without taking out the filter medium, but it works better if you do. It won't hurt the other fish either. You would add about 1/2 a capful a day for a 5 gallon. Warning, it does smell kinda bad as it builds up in your tank.

I know you have your reasons for your small tank, but part of the bullying problem could be that the tank is too small. Is there any way you could get a bigger tank now or a second tank? It could help him heal (sometimes fish bully sick fishe even more) and hiding all the time can't be good for it either, it could cause stress which could lead to illness beyond the injuries. Extra ornaments will also depleat the already limited water volume in the tank, as it takes up space that would otherwise be filled with water (the volume is based on a decoration less tank).

Just keep a close eye on the injured fish to ake sure it's wounds don't get infected and that it still eats. If it doesn't eat (once a day is better than nothing) then you really need to start worrying.

Good luck!

thanks for the advice. I cant get a bigger tank now, this fish is a little weaker and shyer than the others, that why he gets bullied I think. Im gonna put him in qt asap, gonna add salt and I can get melafix tomorrow hopefully. I did have some but its empty now, I only have pimafix. The ornament is rather small though, and I thought that it would be good just for now while he's hurt. He started bottom sitting a little. I'll see if he'll eat this evening, I hope he does.

I put him in a qt tub with 3 gallons. I put the ornament in there for him to hide in since he seems pretty stressed right now. I added 3 teaspoons of salt, and an airstone because he hurt his gill. He's already swimming around more, i'll let u know wether he still eats later.

I think he's getting worse bottom sitting, not swimming much. I gave him food but he didnt touch it until after 30 minutes he slowly started eating a few pieces, but he didnt eat much, he also hides in the ornament sometimes.

Im sorry your fish got hurt, but hes probably lethargic because he can only breathe out of one gill, its like having a lung removed, not as much oxygen. I hope he gts better soon.

he's doing a little better, he got his appetite back

Shamu, how is the little guy doing?