What is wrong with her?

Question
My pregnant gold mickey platy is in a 5 gallon tank seperated from the other fish. Lately, she has been acting cery restless. She will go up and down the sides of the tank and there is this plant in there that she will swim over on he side really quickly. What is wrong with her?

Answer
Hi Mariel;

What she is doing is called "flashing". It indicates something is irritating her and making her want to scratch it off. Since fish don't have fingers to do that with, they rub on things in the tank. Make a 25% water change and test the water too. If the tank was recently set up it may be going through the break-in period and ammonia is burning her skin eyes and gills. Look closely at her to make sure she doesn't have any spots, dots or anything that indicates disease. Parasites can especially make fish feel "itchy". Don't just treat with medication though. Check the ammonia level first. Here is a link to my article about the break-in period to help you know more about what may be going on in there;

http://www.xanga.com/Expert_Fish_Help

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins