All right, this is my fault mostly probably because I didn't think of it at the store when I bought my fish. Since the platies I wanted were in a big tank and were moving pretty fast, I simply told the guy getting my fish to pick out some younger (smaller), healthy looking ones. I got three. Now that I'm home and they seem to be mostly settled in, I notice that I got two males and one female. I know with most animals it is bad to have more males than females because the males will fight over the one girl. So, does this mean that I should get another female? or should I just leave them be? Right now I can see them chasing each other around, I'm not sure if it's playful or vicious. I'm also pretty much at my capacity for this tank. So I don't know if it'd be better to overpopulate to keep the fish from fighting, or take the female out, or what? Advice is truly appreciated.
Platies
- Thread starter cheshirex
- Start date
Well how big of a tank do you have? Yes usally you will want a 1 male/2 female ratio. This will allow one female to rest while the other is being chased. Depending on your tank size you may want to get another female or tank the one back. We just need to know the tank size first.
Since you just got them, if they're a good LFS, they should not mind exchanging a F for a M for you. Call them and ask.
i would try to trade back. maybe get 3 males or 3 females if you dont want fry. they might be fine in a bigger tank with places to hide.
It's a 5 gallon tank and the three platies are in with a betta and a couple of snails. I was trying to keep the numbers low so everyone has room to swim... as of right now they all seem to be fine though. The betta mostly keeps to himself slowly circling the tank from top to bottom while the three platies chase each other back and forth. So they all seem to be getting along fine, and I know the betta won't get any bigger... and the platies are at about an inch right now and they're max is supposedly an inch and a half.
Personally I would not have platies in a 5 gallon tank. They are social fish, and a tank of that size does not allow for a decent sized group. They can also be very active, and IMO a 5 doesn't provide enough swimming space. I would leave the betta on his own, or try some shrimp/snails. Keep in mind that he may go after both.
i agree with ROLLIN. the betta needs atlest 5-10 gal i think. they do so much better in bigger tanks. 3 platies alone would be overstocked. i would get another tank or get rid of the platies.