Aggresive Platy

[WeeManDan]

Hi all,

I've recently started re-stocking my tank having had a small disaster that wiped out the old stock, of the old stock only a platy survived. I've added a few cherry shrimp and some snails and now a Betta. To say the platy isn't very keen is an understatement! The platy is constantly nipping at the Betta's fins and to be honest I'd expected the Betta to stand it's ground a bit better!

Is this aggression due to the platy having been the only fish in the tank for a while and it not liking the company? Or some incompatibility that I've missed?

Finally, can someone advise the best way to resolve it? More plants, or perhaps more fish to dissipate the platy's aggression?

Thanks for any pointers,
Dan

 

[Althamon]

First thing I would suggest to stop the betta getting stressed is separate it from the platy for the time being, maybe get a few more platy's too so that it isn't lonely. It does sound a little like the platy is trying to be territorial and I wouldn't put it past your idea that it went this way due to being on it's own for so long.

If it's being territorial try removing some of it's natural places and replace them in a few days to try and confuse it into thinking it's new territory.

 

[LadyRiv.]

i had the same problem you have, i had a betta in my community tank with platys and danios, no problems at all, then i bought another platy and he constantly attacked the betta, my betta flared but that's all he's done, took the platy out and he went back to the store the next day...

i now have the betta in his own tank and he's doing great busy building bubble nests...

i would suggest to get more platys and make sure you have plenty of plants

 

[OldMan47]

A betta is far more often a victim than the terror that people make them out to be WeeManDan. In an aggressive situation, it is best to remove the betta. The poor thing should not be subjected to the extreme aggression that some other fish can present. It is a reason that I often ignore the irresponsible rantings of people who think a poor betta can be a danger to a fancy guppy. The betta is never an aggressor in a typical tank, it ends up the victim instead.

 

[WeeManDan]

Sorry to have not posted earlier, but panic over! It would seem that all it took was one flare from the Betta and the Platy was well and truly put in its place! That said I will increase the vegetation and add some more livestock to ensure the issue doesn't return.

Thanks,
Dan