Platy bullies

[Emberly.rose]

Hi! I have four platies in my 54l tank. Two of them seem to constantly chase and try and attack the other two. The gentler ones seem so stressed out and are spending most of their time hiding. My question is, would they be happy if I took the two bullies out and put them in my spare tank? I feel so bad for the other two and I don't want them to die from the stress of it all. Thank you

 

[emeraldking]

If it's a dominance thing, it will pass. But if they're too stressful to the other two, get those bullies out of there. For too much stress "can" lead to death.

 

[Emberly.rose]

Thank you. How do I know if it's a dominance thing?

 

[Naughts]

Thank you. How do I know if it's a dominance thing?

Do you know if they are male or female?

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Do you know if they are male or female?

That's gotta be THE question to ask in this instance!

 

[Avel1896]

Do you know if they are male or female?

Either it is a dominance between males, or it is two females pursued by two males.
Clear pics would be helpful

 

[Emberly.rose]

They are all females. I thought they were pregnant for a while but it has been too long now. It's the two in the first picture that are the mean ones! Thank you for all of your help

 

[Avel1896]

They are all females. I thought they were pregnant for a while but it has been too long now. It's the two in the first picture that are the mean ones! Thank you for all of your help

Two are surely females. The two others could be males that just ate.

 

[Emberly.rose]

Two are surely females. The two others could be males that just ate.

Thanks, they all have the fanned anal fin rather than the tubey looking ones. Sorry, I'm a real beginner!

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Two are surely females. The two others could be males that just ate.

Nah...surely they've got 'proper' anal fins.

 

[Avel1896]

Thanks, they all have the fanned anal fin rather than the tubey looking ones. Sorry, I'm a real beginner!

Don't be sorry, we all have been beginners
Frankly speaking I'm unable to spot the gonopodium on the "two others".

 

[Emberly.rose]

No problem, I'll try and get some better pictures in the morning. Thank you

 

[Naughts]

@emeraldking, the 2 'victims' might have oviposters. Could they be being pursued for fry?

 

[Avel1896]

@emeraldking, the 2 'victims' might have oviposters. Could they be being pursued for fry?

I remember some Swordtails males pursuing females while giving birth....

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Don't be sorry, we all have been beginners
Frankly speaking I'm unable to spot the gonopodium on the "two others".

That's 'cos they're lay-dees.