New to the platy world

[Concerned]

Ok, need some help from the experts out there. I have a 50 gal and took a new route from looking after the barb family to platies. Have angles, bala's, silver dollars with platies and my problem is that some of the platies stay just under the surface of the water. All the other breeds swim everywhere in the tank but most of the platies like(?) stay near the top. Temp of tank is 78 degrees, all the fish are healthy, fins are up. anyone know why they like to stay at the top? They have all been in the tank for several weeks now and I am very carefull about changing the filters and water regularly, (with the correct procedures)

 

[ferrikins]

fist thing I would do it check your water chem. Fist thing that spring to mind is iver there not anothe Oxigen in the water, or there very sressed by the other fish??

 

[platyperson]

Platies can swim at the surface but if they stay there for long periods of time, something may be wrong, mine only hang at the surface during feeding time.

 

[BobK]

Mine swim to the surface almost every time I walk by, begging for food probably.

 

[desley]

My male platty chases the females all over the tank. They only surface for food and yes when I walk past looking for food ... but some barbs I think might nip at them ( not experienced so only suggesting ) as I have read some barbs do like to chase & nip at guppies so maybe they will do it to platties too.

 

[platyperson]

Barbs actually nip at guppies because of there long trailing fins (I dont blame them! lol) platys tails are much more compact and they dont chase platies too much.

 

[vidiots]

Even though different species may be community fish, they will often seperate into various territories. Now community fish usually do not fight over territory, but will often avoid each other. I have seen platies stick to an area in a mixed species tank, but don't notice it as much when all the tank mates are the same species.