jere1558
12-27-2006, 5:58 PM
Seems I have found the villain in my (otherwise healthy) guppy tail splitting. The male Mickey Mouse Platy who was suspected of nipping but who couldn’t be caught doing the deed was finally identified.
One of the most unusual aspects of this “crime” was his disdain for guppies of lighter color tails. He focused on those 2 male and 2 female guppies with blue/black tails.
After id’ing the villain, I moved him into isolation in an attempt to rehabilitate him. Several days in my 2.5g quarantine tank should have provided the necessary impetus to change his ways. Not so. After moving him back to the “big” tank, he almost immediately reinstated his reign of terror over the dark tail colored guppies.
One aspect of the reintroduction was the 2 dark tail male guppies cornering and chasing him. They really got the better of him when they teamed up. It was really quite entertaining to watch the smaller guppies and the Platy do the dance of confrontation. Unfortunately, when they separated, he went after one or the other and quickly overwhelmed whichever of the males he was after.
This male has 2 female platys to ply his ways upon. Surely the guppies don’t want his “girls”! I think he just hates the dark tails flitting about “his” tank.
I have moved him again in the quarantine tank. He may be one of those fishies who are incapable of rehabilitation. I hope not! He was one of the 2 first fish in this tank. He and his first mate were used to complete the cycle on this tank (used filter media, 2 week fishless cycle, water params all GOOD, then fish). One of the reasons I moved him to isolation was my concern he was becoming too territorial.
Anyway….observations after this removal…..the guppies are swimming happily. The neon Rainbows, who had a tendency to be herded by the offending Platy, are schooling again. I think I will leave him in isolation for 7 to 10 days this time. If, after a second reintro, he stills torments my guppies I will have to find him a new home.
Anyone want a free Platy?
One of the most unusual aspects of this “crime” was his disdain for guppies of lighter color tails. He focused on those 2 male and 2 female guppies with blue/black tails.
After id’ing the villain, I moved him into isolation in an attempt to rehabilitate him. Several days in my 2.5g quarantine tank should have provided the necessary impetus to change his ways. Not so. After moving him back to the “big” tank, he almost immediately reinstated his reign of terror over the dark tail colored guppies.
One aspect of the reintroduction was the 2 dark tail male guppies cornering and chasing him. They really got the better of him when they teamed up. It was really quite entertaining to watch the smaller guppies and the Platy do the dance of confrontation. Unfortunately, when they separated, he went after one or the other and quickly overwhelmed whichever of the males he was after.
This male has 2 female platys to ply his ways upon. Surely the guppies don’t want his “girls”! I think he just hates the dark tails flitting about “his” tank.
I have moved him again in the quarantine tank. He may be one of those fishies who are incapable of rehabilitation. I hope not! He was one of the 2 first fish in this tank. He and his first mate were used to complete the cycle on this tank (used filter media, 2 week fishless cycle, water params all GOOD, then fish). One of the reasons I moved him to isolation was my concern he was becoming too territorial.
Anyway….observations after this removal…..the guppies are swimming happily. The neon Rainbows, who had a tendency to be herded by the offending Platy, are schooling again. I think I will leave him in isolation for 7 to 10 days this time. If, after a second reintro, he stills torments my guppies I will have to find him a new home.
Anyone want a free Platy?