Male Platy with Attitude Problem

[Liliano]

Hi

I have 3 Platys, 2F and 1 M. The Males seems to have a attitude problem, he chases both the females. One is not too bothered about it and she generally holds her own.

The other is very frightened of him and constanty hides. Its now got to the stage where he actuallys hunts her down when she is in hiding. He charges at her at a great speed and I am sure he sometimes hits her. I've tried separating him into a breeding trap for a couple of hours at a time but this hasn't worked, he goes straight for her.

I have spoken with 3 LFS's. 2 said that he wants to breed with her and it is just courtship and I should get another female to even it out. The other said that he is just a bully and I should remove him from the tank. When I enquired about getting another male they said that they would fight to the death.

Has anyone got any good suggestions, I am scared that he is gonna kill my female.

 

[sunflower]

He's probably just trying to have his wicked way with her but it's obviously stressing the female out too much.

I had a problem with an aggressive platty before she was picking on one of my other females incessantly and I seperated the aggressive one into a breeding net for a while but as soon as I released her she started again. Dont know why she had a gudge against one fish in particular.

Anyway, I ended up taking the aggressive one back to the lfs. It was too stressful for my other fish and too distressing to watch.

 

[Liliano]

I think I may have to take one of them back or find a new home.

Thanks

 

[barbiya]

I have had the same problem. My poor female would hide all the time. I ended up moving the male into another tank. I just felt that it wasn't fair to the female to live like that.

My son didn't want me to take the male back, so that was the best solution for me. Good luck, whatever you do!

Oh, and don't be surprised if she continues to hide after he's gone. It may take a while before she realizes she can swim freely about the tank.