geh4

I was given four guppies - 2 female and 2 male. Both of the females are pregnant, and one started to have babies. Problem is, both males are constantly chasing her around the tank, so I've temporarily isolated the males in another tank. Is this normal? I've had goldfish for years, but this is my first set of guppies. Thanks. P.S. I've tried to read most of the posts on this forum, but haven't come across anyone who had this problem.

Radcliffe

Yeah. sadly this is normal. The males will continuously either try to mate, or try to traumatize the females into having the fry (to eat them). Nature is a cut throat thing! It is recommended that you keep more girls than boys so that the boy will spread his attentions around and give each girl less trouble. I have two tanks, and multiple girls to one boy of Platys and Mollys. I tend to keep the boy Molly with the girl Platys and vice versa to give the girls a break!

--R

armadillo

Yep, I'd definitely get at least 3 females per male, or split them up. They can actually harrass the females to death.

geh4

Thanks for the info. I think the males will be kept in the other tank for now, at least until I get more females. 8)

Radcliffe

Actually- a related question- How would a tank of just males do? Like all male guppies, or Platys and swordtails maybe? I have been tempted to get several male swordtails...

--R

armadillo

I've heard it could work fine, but only if there's enough males to prevent a constant bully - victim relationship from settling. I would guess anything upwards from 4 males per species would be OK. I am going to have to do this soon as my mollies keep having babies, so I am thinking of a male tank, and a female tank.

Radcliffe

Ok cool! Thanks :-)

--R

armadillo

's alright. Let me know how it goes, am about to do this myself.