Can anyone help me pick some new fish?

[PamelaDee]

I like Platys because they are nice to look at and they reproduce like crazy. But my water is too soft for them and they don't seem to be too hardy. They are the first ones to die if anything goes wrong. I have kind of giving up on having my big tank full of them. Is there any beginner fish that perfers soft water, is a community fish, easy to breed? Bigger than a platy is fine because I have the tank space. Thanks for any help...I've been serching for awhile now.

[tiga]

Have you tried to harden the water to keep the fish you want?

[PamelaDee]

Yes I am doing that right now but, as I said, they are the first ones to go when something goes wrong. I noticed that some fish weren't looking too happy so I tested the water. Nitrate was a big high so I removed some fish (don't think it is overstocked but maybe with decorations) clean the gravel and did a water change and lossed 3 platys. All the other fish seem fine (various tetras, a molly, swordtail, a couple guppies). Out of the last 3 platys, only two seem happy.

[tiga]

Have you tried to seperate the platies? When I kept platies, mollies, guppies and swordtails the platies didn't do as well as the rest. Also try adding salt to the tank, either pickling salt or aquarium salt.

[PamelaDee]

That's a good idea! I am going to set up my 5 gallon tomorrow and see if that makes any difference. Hopefully because I would love to keep them! Yes I add aquarium salt.

[PamelaDee]

Hey Tiga that was a great suggestion! My platys are doing so great. They have only good days now that they are in their own tank. I love watching them swim and play in bubbles! Thanks SOOO much for that simple suggestion!