How many platys do you have?

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Crush

Aquarium Advice Newbie
Joined
Jan 17, 2022
Messages
3
Hi all!

How many MALE platys will be happy together in a 10g tank? I know an all female tank would be better but I already have 3 males. What is your experience? Would 5 platys be too many? There are a number of forums that are confusing and contradicting since males are territorial but these are community fish.

For a longer explanation why I ask -

I had 3 white cloud minnows and 4 male platys in my 10g tank for ~4 months, no problems. Then one of the platys died - I could not diagnose him (nor could my LFS) but the other platys never developed any symptoms and have continued to look great.

HOWEVER, now one of my platys is a serious bully. I think the harmony was thrown off by going from 4 to 3. The smallest of the platys spends most of his day hiding from the bully, and will poke around the rocks only to be chased back into one of his spots.

I have debated taking the aggressive fish back to my LFS but I have also read that keeping them in larger groups, as they prefer, can stop the aggressive behavior. I worry though 4 or 5 males may just aggravate the bullying.
 
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