Male Dwarf Rainbowfish acting different

Some background -
I got 5 adolescent dwarf rainbowfish on Oct 1st 2019 (it was supposed to be 3 females, 2 males but the person gave me 2 females and 3 males). I went back the next day and got 2 more females to have a 4f/3m ratio in my 29gal cycled tank. Since then I have lost 2 of the males to unknown issues (RIP Perses & Aeetes) so only the largest Helios is left with the 4 girls. They've always been a shy group and would hide behind the scenery under the filter sponge if I came by EXCEPT for mealtimes (which had to be in the mornings) so I've gotten in the habit of just giving them their space. Regularly for the past 2 years I would see fry appear and disappear (the first few times I tried to feed them, give them places to hide etc. but it didn't seem to make a difference so I eventually just treated them as swimming snacks, knowing that they'd be gone in a few days and replaced with a new batch in a few weeks). Well, right after Aeetes died, leaving only Helios & the 4 girls, suddenly I noticed the fry getting bigger than I'd ever seen (although there are about 3 distinct sizes so potentially it is a small number of survivors from 3 separate batches). I thought it was interesting but didn't expect them to survive as I wasn't feeding them or doing anything different. They didn't even really have a place to hide. Maybe Aeetes had been eating them?? But since then I've seen batches come and go and they, so far, are the only group to grow up. I now have about 14 to 16 young rainbowfish of what appears to be various genders (the largest are just starting to color up). Now, onto my actual question ---

Since the babies arrived the 4 females seem to be LOVING it and now swim more openly. I think the babies not being afraid of me (coming right up to the glass to get fed etc.) has made them less nervous & potentially my original group of 4f/3m just wasn't enough to make them comfortable. But now my last adult male Helios hides in the corner by himself. He still comes up for mealtimes & looks/acts normal & doesn't appear to have the illness that got Perses (I noticed discoloration on Perses body, gasping, and bloating and he stopped eating a few days before he passed - not noticing any of that with Helios). I see him flirting in the morning like he usually does so I don't think(?) he's sick but he certainly does not seem to want to school with the babies / females. The babies, for what its worth, are about the size the adults were when I got them (see picture - a few babies surrounding an adult female) so tweens might be a more appropriate term! Is Helios's behavior normal?

Thanks in advance!

 

I have 2 male, 5 female Dwarf Neon Rainbows. They are juveniles. I’ve only had them one month. What I have noticed is the males are the biggest fraidy-cats when I walk by the tank. The females are more brave. They chase the females around every morning and act normal when feeding but otherwise hide when I do water changes or anything. there are many members on here that have more experience. They have offered advice to me, so I’m sure they will help you! I do love them though…they add a lot of character to my community.

 

Congrats on growing out the fry. Sounds like the male is just acting like it always did. Hopefully you’ll have a few new males in the fry. They should be much more social.
I keep bosemani rainbows and have been growing out the fry ever now and than in a 5 g tank. I had the dwarfs but they only lasted around 3 years. My bosemani some are as old as eight. Both groups i keep one male to 3 female. These fish can get rough. Especially during mating. I’ve lost some to aggression and jumping over the years.

 

I have 2 male, 5 female Dwarf Neon Rainbows. They are juveniles. I’ve only had them one month. What I have noticed is the males are the biggest fraidy-cats when I walk by the tank. The females are more brave. They chase the females around every morning and act normal when feeding but otherwise hide when I do water changes or anything. there are many members on here that have more experience. They have offered advice to me, so I’m sure they will help you! I do love them though…they add a lot of character to my community.

Hahaha true - I have noticed the boys are usually waayyy more timid than the girls!! Could literally just be that. The babies aren't even to make a scaredy-fish brave

Congrats on growing out the fry. Sounds like the male is just acting like it always did. Hopefully you’ll have a few new males in the fry. They should be much more social.
I keep bosemani rainbows and have been growing out the fry ever now and than in a 5 g tank. I had the dwarfs but they only lasted around 3 years. My bosemani some are as old as eight. Both groups i keep one male to 3 female. These fish can get rough. Especially during mating. I’ve lost some to aggression and jumping over the years.

Thank you!! It was completely accidental haha And yes - you are probably right -the females changed their behavior, not him - I just worry he gets lonely all by himself haha awww!!!

And yeaaa, I think potentially Aeetes death was from stress/bullying due to mating - when I found him dead, he was wedged between the cave decoration and the tank wall - figured maybe he got chased and got stuck.

 

You might find that he gets more active when the young males get bigger and more mature. Assuming that he does not want to relinquish his status as the dominant male.

 

You might find that he gets more active when the young males get bigger and more mature. Assuming that he does not want to relinquish his status as the dominant male.

Yes that will definitely be interesting to see what he does. I hope he doesn’t end up getting bullied as the old guy!!! He grew up to be significantly bigger than the other males though so it’ll be interesting to see how big the babies get!