My poor platy

[SusieJG]

I started up a new 40 gal. tank about a month ago. I used platys plus filter medium from my established tank to cycle. 3 of the platys, 2 males 1 female) survived and stayed very healthy so I kept them in the new tank. The female platy had been the most social since the beginning, she was constantly at the top and in open areas and was a real ham for the camera. She didn't seem to mind the sex ratioa at all, so when I added more fish I did not add any more platys, but instead added guppies (3 m, 3 f) I have some female guppy fry that will be added in another month or 2, and the grown females don't appear to be harassed at all. However, suddenly my female platy has become incredibly shy. She is healthy as far as I can tell, and comes to the top to feed, but is now constantly hiding in the plants or decorations at the bottom. She has been doing this for about a week. As far as I can tell she doesn't care if the other fish come near her, and I frequently find her in the "castle" with the gouramis or other platys, but her entire temperment has changed. She doesnt appear to be ill and the chem levels are all right on target, but she seems depressed. I am thinking that she may want some female platys to play with (although the males don't seem to harass her at all), but I'm hesitant to buy more fish just now because we have lots fry on the way. Any other ideas why she might be moping around, or what I can do to cheer her up?

 

[Feline]

Do you think she's pregnant?

 

[SusieJG]

Definitely a possibility, but she's been this way a bit over a week and doesn't seem to be very fat. Also, no dark gravid spot, but then again she is a very dark ornge/red color.

 

[snowyangel]

Maybe she feels threatened by other fish being in her surroundings
Possibly add some more plants for her shelter and security, that should help her feel less threatened by the new comers. Just be patient and she'll eventually get used to the new gups.
Maybe getting some treats like bloodworms would endulge her to come out more often, my fish LOVE them

 

[SusieJG]

With 4 female livebearers in the tank I had intended to add some java moss anyway (I just can't keep up with who is pregnant when!!!), so I put some in today. All the fish seem to love it, including my girl platy (flame) who is now happilly out and about. However, now I've noticed another weird thing...the girls seem to be nipping at the boys and chasing them away...is there any reason adding the moss would make them more territorial???

 

[Ben]

yes.....i think the females are becoming terrirtorial becuase they finnaly found a place to have there fry and they are being threatend by the males