Alessa

Ok, where to begin... My main tank is a 28 gal that is mostly a livebearer tank. I have four male guppies and what I thought were 3 male platies (now, I found out the truth, read on).

At the very begining when I first got my tank I had only one platy, he was very active and swam all around the tank happily, he also ate well, like a little piggy. Then, since "platies are social fish" I was adviced to get him a buddy or two. At that point I got him another male "buddy" since I definately didnt want fry. Then, the new guy started picking on the old one and agressiveness began, they also became picky and right now they barely eat (tried absolutely everything, except garlic guard which i am going to get)...

then, after that my bf and I went nuts when we saw the "Dwarf Sunset Coral Platies" which I came to ask about in the forum. I was told that these are exactly the same as a regular platy but just "little". but My bf was so excited that we ended up getting one.... I asked specifically "Please get me a male" just to be on the safe side...

I got It home and released it in the tank with the other two platies... time went by and I noticed that they were getting along well, the two initial platies still agressive towards each other but not to the third one. Nevertheless, I barely ever saw the little platy, "he" was almost always hiding in the plants.

Now, I have had the chance to se "him" and it is a she. Triangular fin does not look like a gonopodium at all...

Now, after the story, my problems summarized:

1) All the platies are shy, they are almost always hiding but no one else is picking on them... they are extremely shy, any way I can fix this?
2) the little girl. She is not even half the size of my regular males and she does not look like a regular platy fry (eye size proportionate to body size). The guys arent chasing her at all they seem to "shoal" with her but no chasing or any sexual behavior (both males were agressive to each other way before she came... do you guys think there are chances of mating if, in fact she is a "dwarf"
3) They dont eat... the only thing I can get in them is an occasional blodworm... they are driving me crazy!


Im terribly sorry for the long post but I really need help with these guys! thanks

Taku

The only difference is that the platy is small. There are no genetic differences and they can breed. My advice, if you want male platies to get along better get female mollys they cannot crossbreed with platies the way swordtails can but that doesnt mean the boys wont try. This will keep them occupied.

Alessa

My tank is already stocked. Cannot get anymore fish...
Also I know that the genotype of both fish is exactly the same although the phenotype isnt. I was just wondering because of the size... I mean is it physically possible for them to mate? I would also like to remark there isnt any kind of chasing or anything...

Alessa

helooooooo, any guess?

Lucy

I don't know anything about platys. Maybe they aren't comfortable, have you tried rearranging your tank?

Alessa

yes, the seem to hate it!!!!! grrrr...

omg lucy, thanks for taking a look.... thanks for caring,

Lucy

Your welcome, sorry I couldn't help.