Platies In A Community Tank

[gilaesther]

I've got two platies in my community, 1 female, and 1 male (I didn't know what he was til I saw the pictures by the platy description page. The male was bought on Sunday. He eats a lot less than the female, it's like as soon as a nother fish is near the food, he gets spooked. Also, when I do see him take in a flake, he almost always spits it back out immediately. I know he's eating SOMETHING, cause he does poop a tiny little bit. I was wondering if this is normal, or if he may have internal parasites, or something. He swims normally (from what I can tell), and tries to follow the female around most of the time. Any ideas?

 

[ox5477]

When you add new fish, they usually go through a settling phase. Usually about a week at the most if its not known to be an excessive powter, as some specialized fish can be. So, I would just guess that he is getting used to the new community and he'll be fine in a few days. If hes not, then start looking into possible health problems as the cause for his apparent lack of appetite.

 

[corey01]

i wouldnt worry..my male platy does the same and ive had him for aages! but to stop the "spitting out food " thing then make sure that you crumble the flakes between your finger so that he can fit it in his mouth..after i did this he was eating normaly again

 

[gilaesther]

i wouldnt worry..my male platy does the same and ive had him for aages! but to stop the "spitting out food " thing then make sure that you crumble the flakes between your finger so that he can fit it in his mouth..after i did this he was eating normaly again

Thanks Corey, unfortunately, he passed away, but it's good advice for the surviving female I have.

 

[fishlette]

when a fish takes a piece of food that is too big for it, it kinda starts to break down the size of the piece in its mouth. quite often you will see a fish take in and spit out the same piece of food until it is small enough to eat the whole thing.

 

[WILDER]

Keep an eye on the other fish for flicking and rubbing.

Spitting food out and shying at things can be a sign of gill flukes.