Bullying - Aquarium Advice

kristin27 · 06-30-2005, 01:37 AM

Hi,

I recently bought a 10 gallon tank, with four platies (all female.) They seem to get along fine, except for one of them who continues to bully the other fish. She is the smallest, yet most agressive - I'm afraid what she'll be like when shes full grown, or if she could stress out or eventually kill my other platies.
She always head-buts them, and chases them around the aquarium. Its like shes so antisocial and sometimes doesnt want anyone in her sight. My brother thinks she's just "playing." One VERY strange thing I noticed was that she only seems to be a bully when the fluorecent light is on. (I leave it on for about 6 hours a day.)
Do you think her behaviour could be harmful? Should I trade her in for a different fish?

Thanks,
Kristin

Bearfan · 06-30-2005, 01:58 AM

Moved to [acronym:e4f5759d36="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym:e4f5759d36] Forum.

greenmaji · 06-30-2005, 03:48 AM

Give plenty of places for the fish to hide from the platy and get enough decorations that the fish might be able to mark of territory and just bully the other fish out of that territory.. you might want to take suggestions on what fish to keep an aggressive platy with..

gheitman · 06-30-2005, 07:38 AM

You could also look at taking back the aggressive fish to the place where you bought it. Sometimes a fish store will let you exchange one fish for another if the fish was bought recently and it is too aggressive.

TankGirl · 06-30-2005, 10:57 AM

Welcome to Aquarium Advice, kristin27!

Are you positive it is a female? If so, then I'd swap her out with another - it is not worth it when there is a fish like this as she will cause stress that will result in illness, most likely. If it turns out to be a male (sounds sortof like particularly randy male behavior) then get a few more females to spread out the aggression.

greenmaji · 06-30-2005, 12:50 PM

He's being RANDY!!

[acronym:bc49fac6c4="Rolling on the floor laughing"]ROFL[/acronym:bc49fac6c4]! TG!

06-30-2005, 01:37 AM	#1
kristin27 Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 15	Bullying Hi, I recently bought a 10 gallon tank, with four platies (all female.) They seem to get along fine, except for one of them who continues to bully the other fish. She is the smallest, yet most agressive - I'm afraid what she'll be like when shes full grown, or if she could stress out or eventually kill my other platies. She always head-buts them, and chases them around the aquarium. Its like shes so antisocial and sometimes doesnt want anyone in her sight. My brother thinks she's just "playing." One VERY strange thing I noticed was that she only seems to be a bully when the fluorecent light is on. (I leave it on for about 6 hours a day.) Do you think her behaviour could be harmful? Should I trade her in for a different fish? Thanks, Kristin

06-30-2005, 01:58 AM	#2
Bearfan Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Marquette, MI Posts: 3,554 Images: 45	Moved to [acronym:e4f5759d36="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym:e4f5759d36] Forum. __________________ 75 gal w/ 75 gal sump, 25 gal fuge with Chaeto and 25 gal frag - 4x65 PC w/ Moonlite on the main tank, 2x20W PC on the fuge, 4x20W PC on the frag 72 Gal Bowfront Planted w/ 2x65 PC and 40W T8

06-30-2005, 07:38 AM	#4
gheitman Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Champaign, Illinois Posts: 1,199 Images: 4	You could also look at taking back the aggressive fish to the place where you bought it. Sometimes a fish store will let you exchange one fish for another if the fish was bought recently and it is too aggressive. __________________ Gene Heitman - 10 tanks, 178 gallons, 20+ species of fish/shrimp/snails, 52+ species of plants ... 8 years ago I just wanted 1 tank with some fish - what was I thinking

06-30-2005, 10:57 AM	#5
TankGirl Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richmond VA Posts: 8,279 Images: 16	Welcome to Aquarium Advice, kristin27! Are you positive it is a female? If so, then I'd swap her out with another - it is not worth it when there is a fish like this as she will cause stress that will result in illness, most likely. If it turns out to be a male (sounds sortof like particularly randy male behavior) then get a few more females to spread out the aggression. __________________ TG Central Virginians click here and join the Regional Forum! View My Gallery Here

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06-30-2005, 03:48 AM	#3
greenmaji Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 5,937	Give plenty of places for the fish to hide from the platy and get enough decorations that the fish might be able to mark of territory and just bully the other fish out of that territory.. you might want to take suggestions on what fish to keep an aggressive platy with..

06-30-2005, 12:50 PM	#6
greenmaji Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 5,937	He's being RANDY!! [acronym:bc49fac6c4="Rolling on the floor laughing"]ROFL[/acronym:bc49fac6c4]! TG!

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