Do Platies Need Frieds?

[Just_Another_One]

I was given 6 baby platies back in December from someoe who was clearing their tank of babies. 5 of them were extremely small and eventually died

I have one left that has recently become sexually mature as I've just noticed his "man parts" a few days ago. It seems like he is trying to breed with my other community fish quite often. I've never seen platies breed but he swims beside them and turns on his side and sticks his "man part" out at them.

Is he trying to breed with them or just being submissive?

He seems fine on his own joining the other schools and hes always out and about, doesnt look nervous at all on his own.

Is he okay long term on his own or should I look into a few more platies???

Thanks

 

[snowflake311]

Yes they do better with friends. Get 2 more males and you will be fine.

 

[Just_Another_One]

A couple more males should be fine, good idea. I just don't want/need babys. Everytime I visit the fish store the platies and mollies look so TERRIBLE. Clamped fins mainly, sometimes fungas on their fins as well. Not something I would want to buy but I will keep my eyes out.

Dumb question but this guy is a Tuxedo Platy. Would other color variations be okay?

 

[Jazzzz]

You can mix colours but be carefull ading males as they could scrap around if the tank is not big enough in a comunity most young would be eaten naturally anyway

 

[lilfishie]

if your getting more males then i recommend another 4, its best to have atleast 5 with all male groups to spread aggression

 

[Gilli]

Im not a fan of male Platies! They either try to breed like sexual maniacs or constantly fight - and thats in my huge 250L tank

 

[Just_Another_One]

I think I will keep him on his own. I'm afraid if I add more they will constently fight and ruin the harmony in my tank

He seems fine enough. Always swimming in the open, never hiding. He doesn't bully the others as they are bigger then him, all he does is try to breed but they swim away from him.

Thanks everyone.

 

[GlidergirlUK]

I too have one male Platy, he has 2 male guppies as friends. I think he thinks he is a guppy though! Never any aggression..in fact there was more aggression when I had a female platy (I had to donate her to the lfs as she was such a bully!)

 

[weejen]

why not get some females

 

[Platygirl11]

I have a male and two girls. (actually one of the girls is more aggressive than the male! ) All male tanks can cause some fighting, so I decided against that for mine, but with a larger tank I suppose it could work. I have heard that they can get stressed when there are no females, or is that just a rumor???

 

[Terri_84]

I have 1 male platy (pic in my sig), we originally bought a male and female but the female sadly died shorty after getting her back from the pet store. He has been in the tank for a few months now and seems particularly friendly with one of my female mollys! He also seems fine on his own, not showed any signs of stress, just seems to happily bumble about, but I have also wondered about getting him a few more buddys.

I think so long as hes not showing any signs of distress like you say, he will be fine on his own