Aggressive Platy (rustie)

[wayneski100]

This is my first post on this web site so here goes...
Ive had my 75l tank set up for 4 weeks now (maybe even 5 but lets not argue) and there are 4 platys, 1 male and 3 female. There is also a mini sucking loach in there (called Ted, but thats no the point). The problem is that the male platy (Rustie is his name) keeps on chasing the other platys, in what can only be described as 'in an aggressive manner'... I believe that this has already caused the death of one other female platy, can anyone offer any guidance?
Just for reference my water parameters are as follows,
Ammonia - 0, Nitrite - 0, Nitrate - 5 and Ph - 7.4
Than you...

 

[jwddboy]

Caused the death?
Are you certain? It is usual for fish to chase each other around for domination. If you are sure that it is him that is killing other fish (like you actually see him nip them or rip fins) then I would seperate them.

It could be the case that one of the platys was not too healthy from the store and so either was an easy target/had a disease that led to death or which had a very unhealthy immune system and so the stress of being chased was the reason.

 

[wayneski100]

Thanks for the reply, I think that the other fish did die of stress because there was no signs of disease, and I'm blaming Rustie (the male platy) because he was chasing her. I think the problem I have is that the male platy seems to parade around the tank like he owns it and any female platy in his way is 'chased off', and then becomes very submisive/quiet and ends up hiding (behind rocks, plants, wood, etc..)

I have considered separting him but only have the one tank, would a return to the LFS for my male platy be an option to consider?

 

[lilfishie]

if he doesn't settle then i would return him and get another male or female.
as for killing the other female, he possibley elped that along with the stress of moving homes
male livebearers have high sex drives so are constantly wanting to mate which is why you have more females, to spread the aggression
glad to see you do have more females