Platy Attacking Betta

[LadyRiv.]

hi,

i bought a new platy and a danio yesterday for my tank, i put them in and both seemed fine, watched them for a while. a couple of hours later i watched my fish again and seen my betta flare. he never does flare, even putting a mirror in front of the tank does not interest him... really good tempered and getting along with the platies and danios (incl one longfin) i have in the tank.

so i was watching to find out why Pierre flared and i could see the new platy attacking him and going for his fins, Pierre just fled but not fighting back or anything. then he went back to his favourite corner in the tank and the platy came back to attack Pierre again. needless to say the platy had to spend the night in a measuring jug (big one) as i don't have a spare tank but did not want to risk any injured or dead fish. took him back to the shop first thing in the morning.

i never had any problems when i added new fish, none of the platies added were aggressive towards each other and and neither were the danios. now i am a little worried that the same happens when i add another platy...

i am considering the get a seperate tank for the betta but he really seem to enjoy himself in the big tank...

did any of you had an experience like that? any advise?

thanks

 

[lilfishie]

was this new platy a male by any chance? i have found keeping male livebearers (no matter what they are) trouble with male bettas, female platies tend to be more relaxed.

If you do choose to add another platy keep an eye out. also now Pierre has 'found' his flare so to speak he may start using it alot more.

 

[LadyRiv.]

yea, the platy was male, but so are the other ones. unfortunately, when i bought my first fish, the lfs advised me you cannot see if platies are male or female and by chance i ended up with 3 male platies, so when i bought more platies i had to make sure they are male as well so i don't have weenie surprises in the tank as hubby would not be happy lol.

i am going to get a 2nd tank soon (was looking at the aqua one 320) either as a hospital tank or alternative housing for my betta in case i need it.

as soon as the new platy was out of the tank, pierre was his old self again, so fingers crossed.

 

[lilfishie]

Hopefully he will stay that way then its always good to have a spare tank/container when you have bettas, i currently have 2 males in 7 l storage boxes until i have the time to divide up there new 8 gal home