Up and down, up and down

[Aiyee]

We got a couple of platies over the weekend to add to our 18 gallon tank. We've now got two mollies, three platies and a number of molly fry which are about seven weeks old.

One of the platies - a rainbow platy - has taken to swimming from the top of the tank to the bottom repeatedly. He usually picks the same spot at the back of the tank to do this where there are no plants to obstruct him. Up and down, up and down he goes. Sometimes he stops, swims around normally for a bit, then goes back to his little ritual.

None of the fish seem stressed, the water quality is excellent, they're all eating and they generally seem like happy fishies. Should I be concerned about this odd behaviour?

 

[Elisabeth83]

I have a platy who does the same thing. He's a male and I noticed in that corner he can see his reflection. I think he thinks its another male. I also had a male guppy who would do the same thing.

Other than that my platy is healthy as can be so the only thing I can think of is he's seeing his reflection. Maybe yours can see their reflection too?? It's the only thing I can think of.

 

[platyperson]

All my platys do that!
They stopped doing that as much as they used to

 

[Aiyee]

Maybe yours can see their reflection too?? It's the only thing I can think of.

You might be right. We've got a plain blue backround on our tank and as the rainbow platy is light-coloured, he can clearly see his reflection.

We were thinking of changing the background for something a bit more natural-looking - maybe that'll make a difference. Or we could always get him a platy friend, of course.

 

[Nyte]

One of my platys does that as well. But she was about to give birth.

 

[laboul]

My platies do that in 2-3 corners of the tank! Guess it's normal. Sometimes my mollies join in.

 

[lilfishie]

i find many of my male fish do this

 

[SMSBrunetteGirl]

All my platys do that!
They stopped doing that as much as they used to

Same here with Platyperson,all of my livebearers did that.No worries he`ll probably stop doing as often in a while