Help! Two new guppies team on loner!

Ok so I’m a new fish owner and I have a 5.5 gallon freshwater tank. I had three male guppies but two ended up dying because of a mistake I made with a major water change (which I won’t make again), the last one, Willie, survived and was showing good signs however I was afraid to leave Willie alone because I know they’re schooling fish. I got two more male guppies because the dynamic worked well before. But I’m noticing that they’re chasing Willie and trying to nip him in an aggressive manner and he is taking shealter towards the plants in the tank. Willie also has a frayed tail (not from nipping), I’m not sure if this is important. I don’t know what to do and need help, I was wondering if any experienced guppy owner had advice for my situation because I’ve grown really attached to Willie but don’t want to give the other two back either. (Also I don’t know if this is important but I have a 3 gallon tank with a male betta as well, and I know guppies can sometimes get along with bettas but don’t want to move my betta around unless I’m sure I should).

 

Ok so I’m a new fish owner and I have a 5.5 gallon freshwater tank. I had three male guppies but two ended up dying because of a mistake I made with a major water change (which I won’t make again), the last one, Willie, survived and was showing good signs however I was afraid to leave Willie alone because I know they’re schooling fish. I got two more male guppies because the dynamic worked well before. But I’m noticing that they’re chasing Willie and trying to nip him in an aggressive manner and he is taking shealter towards the plants in the tank. Willie also has a frayed tail (not from nipping), I’m not sure if this is important. I don’t know what to do and need help, I was wondering if any experienced guppy owner had advice for my situation because I’ve grown really attached to Willie but don’t want to give the other two back either. (Also I don’t know if this is important but I have a 3 gallon tank with a male betta as well, and I know guppies can sometimes get along with bettas but don’t want to move my betta around unless I’m sure I should).

Well the male guppies fight because they want to breed, they can consider one another as enemies. A 5 gallon is extremely small for the guppies, so they could also be fighting over time. And no, you can't put the bullied guppies into the 3 gallon, thats already quite cramped for a betta.

A solution could upgrade to a 20 or 29 gallon, and get some more males, so the bullying is spread out much more.

Arguably best guppy keeper on here emeraldking

 

I think it's the size of tank and or set up of tank. Not that its 3 Male guppies. Males generally harass females much more than other males. I keep many tanks with breeding guppies. I personally see no problem with all Male guppies living together.

I think the agression is due to other things than them being guppies.

 

Generally all male guppies will be fine. They don’t fight really if there are no females (as already said). I’d bet it’s from a lack of space. They need more room.

 

They are likely just stressed. The tank is too small. Stressed fish can be unpredictable. I know the tank seems like it should be large enough for just 3 fish. but even if you only had one guppy, it still needs more length to swim.