Aggresive Guppies

[M&G]

Hi,

We are very new to this hobby and are just setting up a new tank. We started with 6 guppies, then added 10 neons and all was well but on sunday we were bought some fish, two of which are swordtails, now the guppies are really bullying them. We think the female is pregnant so thought maybe this is why our all male guppies were attacking but they are pestering the male swordtail just as much. I phoned the shop and they said to bring the swordtails back, which is fine but I would like to know if anyone thinks it is likely the guppies will attack any other fish we may add? if this is the case I would rather take the guppies back and keep the swordtails. I am quite surprised as I thought guppies were one of the gentle fish but they are constantly having a nip at these two fish. I was hoping to get some dwarf gourami as the shop assistant said they are ok to have with guppies ect. I was worried the gourami would attack the guppies but am now wondering if it would be the other way round. Does anyone know if this is quite common for them to attack swordtails or any other fish or if there is any reason they may be doing it. I am going to try and take the fish back tomorrow so need to decide which ones to keep.

Thankyou in advance.

M&G

 

[WILDER]

You would be better off posting this thread in the livebearers section of the forum.
Yes guppys males can be aggressive to other livebearers, need more females to males.

 

[5teady_2012]

Agree with wilder, u need to get some females so the males have some play mates 9if ya get my drift lol)

The ratio is 1 male to evey 2-3 females...

 

[M&G]

You would be better off posting this thread in the livebearers section of the forum.
Yes guppys males can be aggressive to other livebearers, need more females to males.

Ok, thankyou will go and do this now.

 

[WILDER]

Turn tanks light out and let them settle down.
If the guppys getting to nippy issolate him if you can.

 

[chicklette]

I would put one male to three or four females and this should help him settle down. It worked for me when I had guppies. Yes, suprisingly these little cuties can get quit nasty especially when trying to spawn.

 

[electric yellow]

I have two boy guppies and two girl guppies. The boys are chasey to the platies but not to each other. It appears my guppies have buddies up so its awesome.

 

[M&G]

I would put one male to three or four females and this should help him settle down. It worked for me when I had guppies. Yes, suprisingly these little cuties can get quit nasty especially when trying to spawn.

Thanks for all your replies. I have taken the swordtails back to the shop. The trouble is with 5 males we would have to get a lot of females so would - I suspect end up with loads of guppies. We need to think about what to do but the shop suggested not getting female live bearers as this may be why they were attacking? I can see we have loads to learn!

Thanks again to all for taking the time to reply!

M&G