Aggression between male platys?

I have a 10 gallon tank with 3 male platys. One sunset platy, one coral blue mickey mouse platy and a red mickey mouse platy. My first and largest fish is the sunset platy who appears to be completely fine. My real problem is the 2 mickey mouse platys.

The aggressor is the blue platy whom I've have a week longer that the red platy. All 3 platys are males and the 2 who are conflicted are the red and blue platys. The blue one is constantly chasing the red one. As soon as I noticed this I added both aquarium salt as well as my extra decorations. The aggression has not ceased.

Is there any reason why they are constantly chasing each other? The red one's fins are always tucked, and I'm beginning to worry. They've been together for 3 or so days now. Will their lives be endangered if I fail to separate them? Taking either fish back is complicated. Should I wait and see? Other options/ suggestion?

 

I don't raise platy's but I was reading about them when I was considering a stock for my tank. In reading, I've seen it suggested that Platy's are kept 1 male to 2-3 females in order to keep aggression down. The size of your tank can also play a part. If the males are already agressive, then the smaller space isn't going to make things easier. It's like sticking a bunch of people in a small room when they're already irritated. You may have to separate them if you can't get them to get along.

 

Platies get too big and too messy for a 10 gallon in my opinion. Do you have a spare heater/filter anywhere? If you have that you can set up a temp aquarium with a bucket or a rubbermaid bin until you can figure out what to do about the aggressors.

 

Sounds like they need some girlfriends and a bigger tank(this is the biggining of MTS)
ENJOY.

 

Not sure if it helps, but;
We have only had our platy's for around 8 months and had the same problem. We read about adding more girl friends and it was an instant change and success. In fact the main aggressor before the girl friends were added, was a red mickey mouse, against a blue, now the blue does the chasing if any. We have added a 3rd male recently, and still have the 5 females. Seem at this stage anyway, to be getting away with it, but if we do add any more Platy, they will be little ladies.
Mind you, our tank is 4'L x 2'W x 18"H 339.8ltr (89.8 US gal) and a large community tank.

Best of luck how ever you deal with it.

Eddie

 

Well for whatever now the chasing is done... All of the fish seem to be fine. Tonight is my next scheduled water change so hopefully that won't have any effect. The red platy is becoming more comfortable. If I notice any more bullying I will separate the bully into my empty 2.5 gallon tank before putting them back together. Unfortunately female fish aren't an option because living in a small new york city apartment with my whole family doesn't allow much from for more platy fish! (talking about the babies, lol.)

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions!

 

This might sound bad but the babies will just be extra live food for the adults unless you make an effort to save them.

 

I had the same issue at first with 5 males and no females in my 29g. After a short period of time the aggression stopped and they now all get along.

 

This might sound bad but the babies will just be extra live food for the adults unless you make an effort to save them.

Yes have to agree, the moms turn around so quick, as fast as they come out, they go back in the other end. Must like it in there all warm and cosy!!!!

 

Haha. Thanks for your help everyone.