Unusual Platy Behavior

Question
Hello. I have a question about my 7 platies. All of whom are different colors. They all range from grayish blue to bright orange. They all live in a 20 gallon tank. It has a heater, filter, thermometer, rocks, everything you'd find in a normal tank. The temp is always between 72-78. Today I noticed that they all look frozen. Like, they look like they have little bubbles all over them that resemble snow or ice. I'm not sure if it's that or if their scales are falling off or something. But it freaked me out. Also, to add to that they are all burrowing themselves in the rocks at the bottom of the tank. They don't move or anything unless I tap on the glass. Is it because they're cold? Or is something wrong with the water? Or the tank/setup? This has happened before with previous platies and they all died a few days later. I'm very concerned and really don't want to lose them, considering the fact that they all have names and one is pregnant.

Answer
Hi Laura,
Do they have ich? AKA white spot parasites. Please check this photo for reference -
http://www.bettainfo.com/wp-content/uploads/betta-fish-ich1.jpg

Burrowing into the rocks is an attempt to 'itch' themselves and scratch off what is bugging their skin.

It definitely sounds like a major ich infestation to me. You must start treatment right away. Get some "Quick Cure" ich medication (which you should be able to find at wal-mart and most petstores) and some aquarium salt (also available at most wal-mart stores)

Do a 50% water change making sure the new water is treated with water conditioner and the temp is equal to or just a bit warmer than your tank's.

Add the medication and pre-dissolve the aquarium salt in a container of tank water.

Also start bumping up the heater, slowly raising it to about 85-86F. If you don't have an efficient heater, that could be where the problem with the ich started in the first place. If the temperature fluctuates too frequently, the platies' immune system will be compromised. I've experienced a lot of heaters that just don't keep the water stable enough. And the best brand I've found to be reliable is VISA-Therm. A warmer temp helps the platies' immune system and provides less than ideal conditions for the ich parasites to thrive.

If these platies are a recent addition, they may have been infected with the ich parasites while still at the petstore (without you being aware)... It takes awhile for these parasites to show up. And they also can attack if the water quality is poor.

*I highly recommend doing daily 50% water changes on the tank
*Re-dose the medication after each water
*Replace the correct amount of salt according to the amount of water you took out.

*Continue this treatment for at least 12-14 days. This may seem really long but you -must- make sure every last ich parasite is killed off because they are only vulnerable during a certain time during their lifecycle. There will be a time when the parasites disappear off the fish. And most people think their pets are cured and they stop treatment... When in reality the ich are multiplying down at the bottom of the tank getting ready to attack again.

It sounds like this infestation has already a strong-hold on your poor platies. All you can do is try your best to treat them.

I hope it isn't too late and best of luck!!!!
Susan~