Help my fearful fish?

[Dragonbot]

A few months ago I got a common platy. She's doing well, and very healthy, but I fell victI'm to a beginners mistake and her tank is just a little too small. Nothing major, but a wee bit cramped due to how unexpectedly big she got. She looks fine and eats plenty, but is very fearful. She is always hiding in the most secluded corner of the tank, and takes a full paddle back when I get near. All the tank levels are good, and the tank is clean.

Getting a new tank isn't an immediate option, so I'm wondering, is there anything I can do to make her feel better in the one she's in now? I'll work on getting a bigger tank, but is this just how she behaves or is it due to the small tank? How can I lighten the load a bit?

 

[CoryBoi]

What size tank?

 

[Dragonbot]

Confession time, I think it's 6 gallons. I got her when she was tiny, and didn't think to check how big she'd get.

 

[CoryBoi]

Confession time, I think it's 6 gallons. I got her when she was tiny, and didn't think to check how big she'd get.

For one platy 6 gallons is fine, although not ideal as they are a social Fish.

 

[AquaticQueen]

For one platy 6 gallons is fine, although not ideal as they are a social Fish.

Agreed.

 

[Dragonbot]

For one platy 6 gallons is fine, although not ideal as they are a social Fish.

That's a relief, although I had no idea she was a social fish. At least I don't feel like a monster anymore lol!

 

[AquaticQueen]

That's a relief, although I had no idea she was a social fish. At least I don't feel like a monster anymore lol!

I felt the same way when I was stupid enough to listen to a Petsmart associate and put 3 mollies in a ten gallon tank. One died a couple weeks ago.

 

[Hugooo]

Just curious; I want pictures! How big is the platy?

 

[AquaticQueen]

I should come up withs some sort of rhyme that welcomes new members.

 

[Dragonbot]

I felt the same way when I was stupid enough to listen to a Petsmart associate and put 3 mollies in a ten gallon tank. One died a couple weeks ago.

Funny, I got recommended this fish by a Petco employee! The fish was so small and innocent, but she turned into a big dumpling on a diet.
I'd guess she's almost 2 1/2 inches long? I know this is the moment where I publicly humiliate myself on my first post.

I'm far from a photographer, and Clementine is not ready for a close-up.

(please tell me this is the fish I think it is I'm not ready to drop more iq points)

 

[AquaticQueen]

Cute, shy fish.

 

[DuaneV]

Almost all fish will always do better in larger tanks with more of their kind.

 

[saltwater60]

Looks healthy and eyes are bright. That’s a good sign. Take a full shot photo so we can see what the tank looks like. Maybe just likes hiding behind the plants.

 

[CichlidTai]

I felt the same way when I was stupid enough to listen to a Petsmart associate and put 3 mollies in a ten gallon tank. One died a couple weeks ago.

I’m currently keeping 3 clown loaches and 2 tiger barbs in a 10 Gallon and have for about 8 months,surely my bio-load is more; I think you need to do more water changes.

 

[AquaticQueen]

I’m currently keeping 3 clown loaches and 2 tiger barbs in a 10 Gallon and have for about 8 months,surely my bio-load is more; I think you need to do more water changes.

I do them often enough that my 2 remaining fish are still alive.

 

[Debbie1986]

Last June I put 8 black neons in a 5 gallon with lots of plants. It was great for 3 weeks then I got a nitrate spike and they looked wretched ( I had no idea). I just knew something was wrong & put them in a 6 gallon immediately that had been stable until I could get a 10 gallon for them.

Who knew you could juggle fish tanks and fish!

having fish is a huge learning curve and sometime we do have to learn the hard way!

 

[AquaticQueen]

Get a ten gallon ASAP. 5 and 6 gallons are way too small for them.

 

[CoryBoi]

Get a ten gallon ASAP. 5 and 6 gallons are way too small for them.

Why does it have to be “as soon as possible” you can easily while not ideal keep a platy in a 6 gallon tank.

 

[JamieLu]

I had like 20 platies in my 75gal right in the living room walkway and they were never fearful...then I moved my 2 mature females to their own 15gal since I wanted to slow down reproduction and give them a break from being harassed by the boys. Anyway, when I did that they were in a room that stays closed and anytime id walk in theyd flip out and hide. So I def agree they do much better in groups just make sure to get all of the same sex unless u wants tons of babies!

 

[WhiskeyGinger]

I had like 20 platies in my 75gal right in the living room walkway and they were never fearful...then I moved my 2 mature females to their own 15gal since I wanted to slow down reproduction and give them a break from being harassed by the boys. Anyway, when I did that they were in a room that stays closed and anytime id walk in theyd flip out and hide. So I def agree they do much better in groups just make sure to get all of the same sex unless u wants tons of babies!

This. They're like rabbits. Not as bad as guppies or endlere, but very 'productive.'