Guppy Quarrels Getting Worse

[RebeccaLouise]

Ok so i have 3 male guppies. Each different colours (black, orange, maroon). A week ago the orange guppy started having the odd go at the other two. I thought it was juat abit of fish quarrels. But it has carried on and now the orange is chasing the maroon all over the tank until he disapears into a hiding spot which happens to be a gap between the tank and filter and isnt looking his best and only pops out when the coast is clear. The black seems to be standing up for himself abit. Also the orange guppy tries his hand at my platies but so far they have told him were to go. So my question is should i (if things get worse) put the trouble causer or his victims somewere else. Or is it just a phase and they will settle down soon.

 

[ncguppy830]

Ok so i have 3 male guppies. Each different colours (black, orange, maroon). A week ago the orange guppy started having the odd go at the other two. I thought it was juat abit of fish quarrels. But it has carried on and now the orange is chasing the maroon all over the tank until he disapears into a hiding spot which happens to be a gap between the tank and filter and isnt looking his best and only pops out when the coast is clear. The black seems to be standing up for himself abit. Also the orange guppy tries his hand at my platies but so far they have told him were to go. So my question is should i (if things get worse) put the trouble causer or his victims somewere else. Or is it just a phase and they will settle down soon.

Quarreling between guppies is normal, often times setting a pecking order. that determines the alpha male of the guppies. You could let this continue happening and seen if it gets violent(injuries) then remove the aggressive male, although that might not stop the aggression in whole(another could step up and become an aggresor). Depending on your tank size if it escalates even worse than that, you could get more males to spread out aggression.

 

[RebeccaLouise]

Ok, my maroon is looking very sorry for himself and his colour has dulled. I have seen them quarrel befote but its usually just a minute or so but i guess as this has happened for a week i was worried about loosing my maroon. As im typing the orange guppy is trying his luck with the platties. Well ill keep my eye on them i think. I did have a 5 guppies at first so i suppose i couls restock the ones i lost abit ago if things dont settle down. Thankyou.

 

[Meeresstille]

What size is your tank? If tanks are too small for the number or size of fish they often become aggressive because of it. Is your tank cycled? Is there some decor or plants to give them hiding spots?

 

[RebeccaLouise]

Its 64 litre. There is 2 platties and 3 guppies. There are alot of hiding places for them too. A number of plants and a large hollow ornament. Woke up this morning and he was still hiding behind the filter but when feeding he did come for a little bite then got chased back away. So at least hes got appetite. Ill keep my eye on him i think.

 

[Lunar Jetman]

Personally I'd rehome the platies because they may be a bit too big for your tank and up the number of guppies becuase if you don't have the right mix of males and females you're likely to see this kind of behaviour.
 
Do you know what sexes you have for your fish?

 

[the_lock_man]

Guppies are boisterous like this. Assuming all other factors (as per previous responses above) are OK, I always recommend at least 5 male guppies, in order to spread the aggression.

 

[RebeccaLouise]

The platties arnt big at all as they arnt that old. So they are ok for the time being but thankyou for the concern on them. I did have 5 so i guess that may have brought this on. Ok thankyou ill see how things go and take action when needs be. Just needed advice if things to get worse. Thankyou.