Guppies fighting to the death?

[Kara22]

hi my sister has a 55gal tank its been running for about 2 mos about 1 month ago fish were added she started out with 17 female guppies and five males. as well as two plecos, and a clown loach. the first clown loach died and was replaced by the pet store. since then about four guppies have died. they breeding and babies are surviving fine without separating them from the rest. but everybdy else seems to be fighting males and females both. i was under the ipression tht guppies were very peaceful. does anybdy know why they could be fighting and what to do to encourage it to stop???


any advice is greatly apprieciated
thank you!
~kara

 

[Mouth-Brooder-Fanatic]

are you very sure its the guppies fighting and not the loaches having a go at them?

 

[Kirk808]

Is the tank cycled? How often are water changes being performed?

 

[FlyAnglerFishKeeper]

Well, I do know this - they aren't dogs or cats so you can't train them not to nip/bite/fight.

 

[Kirk808]

Guppies will fight to establish their "pecking order". Once ranks have been established, everyone will get along just fine.