New fish=aggressive play

[Robert Phillips]

I am fairly new to the aquarium world; I just cycled my tank maybe a month ago. Anyway, I have a 10g freshwater tank that has had a platy and a molly (and a hatchetfish that died about a week ago). Today I purchased another platy, a snail and some live plants and, ever since the additions, the existing platy has been acting aggressive toward the new one. Is this normal for a platy? If so, will it possibly go away?

By the way, my levels are all normal so, besides adding the plants, snail and platy and doing a partial water change today, they shouldn't be under any crazy amount of stress. I am, however, treating the tank with ich medication as a precaution because my hatchetfish had it but I only have a few more days of treatment left and none of the fish are experiencing any symptoms.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[ScottishFish]

Sounds like you've got a male and a female, and the male is hassling the female.

On a seperate note; mollies and platys are messy fish, so for a 10g toxins like ammonia could build up quickly, keep up on your water changes :22:

[Robert Phillips]

Sounds like you've got a male and a female, and the male is hassling the female.

On a seperate note; mollies and platys are messy fish, so for a 10g toxins like ammonia could build up quickly, keep up on your water changes :22:

Pardon my ignorance but could this be temporary or would it be wise to replace the new platy?

I am on top of water changes like....butter on toast? Lol I test and change weekly and vacuum ever other week right now. I'm hoping the live plants will also help me keep things regulated. I plan on upgrading to at least a 50g in the fall.

EDIT: Should mention I am doing small water changes every other day while on the ich meds.

[Goes to 11!]

Click here (http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=27362) to see how to sex your live bearers. :22:

[ScottishFish]

Males are persistent, very persistent. They are advised to be kept in a ratio of 1m 3f, this spreads the males attention. A 10g is too small for 4 platies/mollies I think, so maybe until you get a 50g rehome them all (after free of ich) and stock smaller fish? 1 betta? Or 10 white cloud minnows, or micro rasbora. They are a less of a strain on filter and not so messy, will be less hassle and shall lessen the chances of an ammonia spike. Just a suggestion :22:

[Robert Phillips]

Click here (http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=27362) to see how to sex your live bearers. :22:

Yep, I have a male and a female.

[Robert Phillips]

Males are persistent, very persistent. They are advised to be kept in a ratio of 1m 3f, this spreads the males attention. A 10g is too small for 4 platies/mollies I think, so maybe until you get a 50g rehome them all (after free of ich) and stock smaller fish? 1 betta? Or 10 white cloud minnows, or micro rasbora. They are a less of a strain on filter and not so messy, will be less hassle and shall lessen the chances of an ammonia spike. Just a suggestion :22:

Easier said than done. I don't exactly have a bunch of people to rehouse these fish. I'll most likely have to stay with what I have for now, although I may be able to trade the new platy in for a male.

[imma24]

If you can do that it would be great. I just purchased 4 platys - 1 male & 3 females. When I was in the store, I asked the employee "Do you know how to sex them? And how many males are in the tank?" She could see a few of them.

It's wise before purchasing fish to know whether you need to be careful in sexing them - sometimes a male needs a few females, sometimes a fish needs to be alone, sometimes a few males is fine - there are territorial fish & those who look to mate all the time ; )