Guppy Behavior

[Kelly]

HI, I just got two male Guppys for our 29 gallon tank, I got these two because my husband really liked the colors and looks of the guppies. I asked the lady at the LFS about keeping male guppies together and she said it was fine to do. I didn't want to add females because I really don't want the fry.

Now, these guppies are happy little guys, swimming around like crazy..BUT the smaller blue male keeps bugging the yellow cobra male. He follows him around like he is picking a fight and pokes at his side. I don't see any nipping going on, and the yellow guy isn't looking ragged either. He pretty much ignores the blue guy. They do go their seperate ways too, it isn't a constant thing. Why are they doing this? Is it aggression or what? Are they not going to be happy together with no lady friends?

I also have 7 Rummynose Tetras and 4 Julii Cory's.

Thanks for any advice. :D
Kelly

[travelinman1969]

might want to add a couple more males if it won't overstock the tank. This kinda upsets the king of the tank attitude.

[Kelly]

So it is an agression/dominance thing? More males will make them stop doing this?

I suppose I have room for a couple more males, I plan to add a pair of German Blue Rams in a few weeks, but two more small guppies shouldn't get me overstocked. :)

Thanks Travlinman.

Does anyone else have any insight?

Thanks!
Kelly

[travelinman1969]

Yeah I've seen it in guppies, mollies, platties. 2 sometimes fight sometimes they don't. I have 2 platty males and they are fine together. I've had luck, except once, with adding a couple more. But, once I added a couple and an all out war broke out, but that was years ago. I think the chances of that are slim and none. I would be intrested to see if they feel threatened by the other fish in the tank and feel they are competing for space. Watch em and see. Defenitly do not add more if it looks that way.

[TKOS]

Even my peaceful white clouds go through a daily ruler of the tank establishing ritual. I agree that possible a couple more male guppies might help. At the very least it will help spread the aggresion out amoungst all of the fish and not towords one.

[Kelly]

They don't pay any attention to the other fish at all, so I don't think it is that they are upset with their tank mates. It is all just between the two of them. I guess I will try adding a couple more and see how they act, even if it just spreads out the 'ruler of the tank' fight that will be good. :) They are funny fish and fun to watch and sooo pretty.

Thanks for the advice!

It is GREAT to finally have fish in my tank. :D

Happy Holidays!
Kelly