Platies Chasing

[K.J.]

My platies have now started chasing each other. I know why, because it's one male and one female. Problem is I don't want girlie to get hurt. I'm already 7 inches overstocked though also overfiltered, but would be in a risk adding another female? I could take the male back to the store, but I have a feeling they'd just euthanize him in risks of bacteria. I have another 10G that isn't set up but I have nowhere to put it but the floor and not enough money to buy another filter. So, what should I do? Leave them, buy another one, or take one back?

 

[theotheragentm]

Overstocked based on what? Are you talking about bioload or swimming room? If you're talking bioload and you are overfiltering too, you might be okay if you keep up with water changes. If you are talking about physical size and swimming room, you shouldn't be adding more. You might want to trade the male for another female. She is more than likely already pregnant if she's spent any time with the male. Fry is another issue you're going to have to tackle.

 

[K.J.]

Overstocked based on what? Are you talking about bioload or swimming room? If you're talking bioload and you are overfiltering too, you might be okay if you keep up with water changes. If you are talking about physical size and swimming room, you shouldn't be adding more. You might want to trade the male for another female. She is more than likely already pregnant if she's spent any time with the male. Fry is another issue you're going to have to tackle.

Well, they seem to have enough swimming room. Judging by full grown size, I am 7 inches overstocked while my filter is 100 GPH pushing. Like I said, I have a feeling they'd kill him. They seem a bit better but that might just be because they just got food. Fry was... sort of... well, it was a bit of an impulse buy, I must admit. I figured the LFS would take them but I'm not so sure. So I might just trade him for a girl... I have a question though, would the female platy and a male guppy or a female guppy get along? I've always wanted one.

 

[*Fishkies*]

Okay so according to your profile you only have 2 platys and 4 cories in that tank? Well if that's so then you are okay for fish in the tank. Yes cories get big, but they mainly live on the bottom of your tank, they do not usually swim around like a fishy. So I would say that you are okay to get another fish. And especially since you are overfiltering you should be okay. I would suggest getting another female, so that your male does not already stress your current one out. Sometimes the males will just keep going and having a 2 females to 1 male ratio is a good idea. I would keep your current male.

I have a question though, would the female platy and a male guppy or a female guppy get along? I've always wanted one.

Yes, livebearers get along with each other quite well usually. Just warning ahead of time though, male guppies will try to mate with anything, although it's not possible, but they will try.

 

[K.J.]

Great. So that would put me 9.5 inches overstocked? With the current filter it would be okay, though?

 

[*Fishkies*]

What type of filter are you running? Like the brand and what it's called??

 

[K.J.]

Penguin for up to 20 gallons, HOB filter, runs 100 gallons per hour.

 

[*Fishkies*]

If your running both those you'll be fine. My boyfriend has 6 platys and an albino cory cat and a Juli Cory cat in a 10gallon tank. And he is filtering with a Penguin 150. So yes you should be fine and good to go. Good Luck with you fishies!!!

 

[dsingleton]

I've had the same problem recently, with regards to just 1 male and 1 female platy in the tank. There was two females, and the male didn't seem to chase either of them, now one of my females is pregnant 9and in the breeding net) the other has been left on her own!

I'd defiantly recommend trading the male for another female, as you won't want lots of fry swimming around and making you even more overstocked, would you?

 

[theotheragentm]

Okay so according to your profile you only have 2 platys and 4 cories in that tank? Well if that's so then you are okay for fish in the tank. Yes cories get big, but they mainly live on the bottom of your tank, they do not usually swim around like a fishy. So I would say that you are okay to get another fish. And especially since you are overfiltering you should be okay. I would suggest getting another female, so that your male does not already stress your current one out. Sometimes the males will just keep going and having a 2 females to 1 male ratio is a good idea. I would keep your current male.

I have a question though, would the female platy and a male guppy or a female guppy get along? I've always wanted one.

Yes, livebearers get along with each other quite well usually. Just warning ahead of time though, male guppies will try to mate with anything, although it's not possible, but they will try.

Cories should be treated like any other fish as far as swimming room goes. They move around and swim much more when the lights are down. Depending on what Cories you have, space varies.