Platy Behaviour

[Twinklecaz]

Hi all!

I've had 3 male Platys in my tank for about 10 days now. There's no females, just 2 Honey Gouramis.

The thing is they seem to get on ok some of the time and seem to stick together but other times I see them what I can only describe as "barging" each other. One will swim really fast up to the other to push them out the way. Interestingly it's the smallest one that seems to do this the most. No one fish seems to be getting it more than any other but I've noticed my red one (he's prob the middle sized) never fights back - he's the only one I never see doing it! This may sound like a stupid thing to say but I can also just tell with him that he's the "weakest".

My question is is this just playing or are they fighting? No one ever seems to get nipped *touch wood* and it's rare any of them seem to be hiding (occasionally I think the Red or Yellow one might be though). The black and white one seems to be the happiest I have to say. Even if I get up at 3am I can see him swimming around in the dark whilst all the others are resting.

Also, do you think this could be just them establishing a pecking order? I don't know how long is normal for that to take?

Thanks

 

[airbusa1]

Th thing is fish dont really "play" with each other they are probably thinking one has food and then they go after each other. It happens in my tank a lot!

 

[Twinklecaz]

Lol when it comes to the little one he probably has!

 

[Twinklecaz]

Does anyone think that if I added another Platy (so I'll have 4) it might fix the problem? I'm thinking it might maybe change the dynamics of the tank. Or is that rubbish?

 

[Fishhub]

Well I had the same problem with male guppies. Males constantly fight if there is not enough of them add a few more males if your tank can hold them, that probably reduce the fighting.

 

[Twinklecaz]

Hi, I'm taking the bully back today . It's coz of the red one, if he ever fought back I'd leave them to squabble but he doesn't and he has what looks like bruising (blood?) dotted along the bottom of his belly.He's had it for a while now. I assume this is coz that's where the bully hits him. So I have to protect him and take the bully back. I've already emailed the LFS so they're expecting me.

I MAY get another Platy whilst I'm there if I see one that looks healthy/i like. I don't know if that's a stupid idea though.

 

[mtv8dmarine]

I wouldn't let it discourage you from getting more fish. Even community fish have their individual personalities like you and I.

 

[Twinklecaz]

Well I took him back (and was slightly concerned LFS put him straight back in the tank with the others) and got a new gold neon wag platy.......very lovely looking fish. The biggest one is now chasing a bit but I think he's just trying to make his new authority felt lol.