Aggressive platy??

[SofiaMG]

So I have a new 30 gallon setup, fish in cycle with 3 platys. I do water changes about twice a week. Water temp 78. Ph at 8.2 consistently. I am pretty diligent about caring for the tank. Ammonia down to 0, nitrates


Never forget that only dead fish swim with the stream.
-Malcolm Muggeridge

 

[Pseudomugil]

That is a pretty high ph. Lower it to about 7.0.

It also may be that you have 2 males and 1 female, and the males are fighting over the female.

 

[BBradbury]

So I have a new 30 gallon setup, fish in cycle with 3 platys. I do water changes about twice a week. Water temp 78. Ph at 8.2 consistently. I am pretty diligent about caring for the tank. Ammonia down to 0, nitrates


Never forget that only dead fish swim with the stream.
-Malcolm Muggeridge

Hello Sof...

When you cycle a tank with fish, the procedure is to test the tank water every day for traces of ammonia and nitrite. If you have a positive test for either, you change one-quarter of the tank water and replace it with new, treated tap water. When you have several daily tests with no traces of the above toxins, the tank is cycled.

I would add some Hornwort or Common water weed (Anacharis). Just drop some individual stems into the tank. They'll help steady the water chemistry a bit.

Three female Platys may provide enough waste to cycle the tank, but males are considerably smaller. You may not have enough fish to cycle that much water. But, give it a go.

B

 

[treemanone2003]

That is a pretty high ph. Lower it to about 7.0.

Trying to lower pH is usually more troubling in the long run. Many fish have no problems adjusting to and thriving in pH of any range. Consistency is the key.


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[SofiaMG]

Okay, unfortunately I never finished my post, little kids and mart phones don't mix.

30 gallon tank.
1 sword plant, several anubias, one Java fern.
PH still consistently 8.2
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates about 20.

Tank running since beginning December. 3 platies added December 26th. 2 males one female. I believe, going by shap of anal fin. But female smaller than males.

A couple days ago added several more fish. 2 Moscow guppies (male) and 2 female mollies.

This one aggressive male platy (Archer) goes up to each fish, seemingly seeking out the other male (Jeffery). As soon as he finds him he starts attacking. Jeffery has spent more time hiding. Jeffery has ended up with his dorsal fin torn a couple of times. The female platy began hiding too.

Today I put Archer in an isolation tank. Does it ever resolve anything? Are the plastic tanks that go in the fish tank safe to use? I figured I would leave it at night?


Never forget that only dead fish swim with the stream.
-Malcolm Muggeridge

 

[SofiaMG]

Never forget that only dead fish swim with the stream.
-Malcolm Muggeridge

 

[sydneypaige690]

If you don't want to take him back, I would get more females. It's sad to me to put him in the little box...


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[SofiaMG]

If you don't want to take him back, I would get more females. It's sad to me to put him in the little box...


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Feeling bad too. Taking him out now. Will monitor again tomorrow.


Never forget that only dead fish swim with the stream.
-Malcolm Muggeridge