Chasing around

[freshy]

Hello,
I'm new to fishkeeping so I don't know much about fish behaviour. I was hoping you guys could give me some insight.

Yesterday I added a few plants to my 10 gall. and noticed that my male platy chasing the guppys. All four of them, but specially the girls. I can't be sure if this is a new attitude or if it's been going on for some time and I only just noticed. About two weeks ago my female platy died and then I had to treat my tank for ick, which is fortunatley gone. I intend to replace her but hadn't had the chance. I'm not sure if the platy is being playful with the guppys, or plain agressive and territorial.
Could this be due to the fact that he "misses" female company? Could it be that, with the new plants, they have less swimming space?
Dou you think this chasing thing will go if I get another female platy?
Thanks in advance for the advice!

 

[Def]

Platys generally do 2 types of chasing.

The "Barry White I wanna make sweet love to you" chase is generally a male following a female around as closely as he can, everywhere she goes. After a whle he'll try and mate with her, and won't give up until he suceeds.

The "WuTang Clan Bring it on Mofo" chase is a male getting aggressive. Male platys will flare their fins when they see another fish they don't like, and hover in the water without moving. After a few seconds, one of the fish will back down - if it's NOT the male platy (ie: his target of hate), he'll chase across the tank. If the fish doesn't move fast enough, it'll get nipped or butted.

Take your pick

 

[freshy]

The "Barry White I wanna make sweet love to you" chase

That's exactly what was going on with my female platy until she passed away!

What strikes me as odd is that the platty and the guppys seemed to get along just fine for the week and a half following the platy-girl incident. They even "shoaled" togehter a few times (IF these fish shoal at all, that is) It's only now that I've noticed this "butting", and not only towards one guppy but all FOUR of them. They seemed to be such good friends, and now they're at odds with each other! As for flaring fins... hmmm... I'm not sure if this is what mr. male platy's been up to. I'll have to get back tou you on that one.

 

[guppymonkey]

As long as the guppies don't start getting frayed fins they should be fine. Platies are shoaling fish and can get lonely when kept without other platies. If the male isn't nipping the guppies fins then I wouldn't worry too much, a little exercise is good for the fish.

 

[freshy]

All right! No need to worry then. And, no, the platy doesn't flare his fins.
Thanks a lot!