Platy Problem

[Night Train]

I am cycling my tank and using a couple platy's first had the water tested everything was perfect. So 1 week later (after asking the clerk if okay) I added a couple Mollies. It is a 10 gal tank.

My question is this. The bigger platy has been increasingly getting bigger since we purchased her. Has grown at least 2x her size in the abdomen(almost bloated) in 2wks time. Her appetite, and activity are both good. In the last couple of days my wife noticed a long white/transparent almost mucus type poop. It is like 2x the length of her and she is about 1" long. Her and the larger molly (who just gave birth today) swim up and down sort of eradically together by where the filter discharges (sort of a current there). Just wondering if sweetie is okay. If not what might it be .. Parasite, pregnant, stress? I have read alot of posts and most contradict the other ... TIA

Grant

[aquak]

Welcome to the forum! Your platy may have a disease or just be about to give birth. It's hard for me to tell, but maybe someone else will know. The stringy poop can mean she has intestinal parasites, but sometimes they just have it and it goes away after whatever stress was causing it is eliminated. Meanwhile, your filter is inadequate for your tank. You need one that is rated for a tank that is 1.5-2 times as large as yours; bigger is better. Also, you have chosen good fish for the cycle and for the size of your tank, but don't add any more fish until the cycle is complete, no matter what the LFS folks say. You have enough for now. You will really do better to get test kits for ammonia and nitrites and test your water every day until the cycle is complete. It's easier than running to the store to have them check it and the spike can come on quickly.

[AngelMom]

Is the poop always stringy & white, or is it just once in awhile? The fact that she's grown so fast seems to be contraindicative of a problem.

[Night Train]

I appreciate your quick responses.

The filter we have we got with a kit. It came with a filter, heater, tank, net, and some tap water clarifier. I would have thought they would have included one that was adequate, since my wife and I have no clue and are just learning. What would be a good filter to use? Do you think our heater is adequate. We have the temp pretty low at night in our house. It seems to maintain the temp pretty well. Fluctuation of maybe 2-3 deg.

We are not sure since we can't locate any of the fry, but it appears that Sweetie gave birth through the night. She is alot skinnier and the poop has color in it now. Kinda pink. I think it is from the food she is eating. Tropical Flakes.

Thanks again.
Grant