Naughty Platy

[moth1980]

Hi, I'm new to this forum so if I miss any info out just ask me what you need to know.
Iv recently added 2 dwarf gouramis (both male) to my 90 litre tank, they adapted with no problems so was pleased with my new additions. A few days later one of my male platys which Iv had for 18 month started to pester one of my male gouramis, its doesn't seem to be aggressive but it constantly chases the gourami, to try and solve the problem I put the platy into a breeder box within my tank, I also rearranged my tank around. On reintroducing him back into the tank he went straight back to chasing the gourami, Iv also noticed my other male platy copies him but when he's on his own he is fine. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.
Other fish I have in the tank are 3 neon tetras, 2 peppered cory and 1 panda cory.
All water parameters are fine

 

[Box]

I had this as well had to move the platy in the end
It would not give and ended up killing my gourami

 

[Twinklecaz]

Is he a male Platy? Basically, as far as he's concerned he's boss of the tank. Then these 2 new males came along so he feels he has to make his point. The one he's picking on is probably the one he sees as the strongest. I've always had this with my Platys, they're little sods in my experience. I'd keep an eye on it, if your DG starts to show signs of distress then it might be time to rehome one of them. Bear in mind though that if you rehome the DG then the platy will probably then just start on the other one.

Hopefully though it'll all settle down once they all agree who is boss.

 

[moth1980]

Thanks for your replies.
Yeah he's a male, I had a feeling it might be a pecking order thing, I hoped that isolating him and rearranging his surroundings before letting him loose might of solved the problem. I'm gonna give it another go and see what happens and like you say just keep an eye on things. Fingers crossed he calms down and I don't have to re-home any.
Appreciate the help

 

[soybean]

I'd just have the two platys out the tank and down to the shop to do swapsies for two females. Can't be doing with a fish with an ego.

 

[moth1980]

You might be interested to know Iv solved the platy problem, after releasing him after the 1st time of putting him in the breeder box he stayed the same....... I put him back into isolation for another 24 hours but this time I put my other platy in with him, Iv now released them both and for about 10 mins the problem continued then me platy lost interest with my gourami, all has been fine now for a couple of hours so touch wood that's the end of it.

 

[Box]

Mine was a female.