Male Guppy, Male Platy, Female Platy Relationship...

I have a new 44 gallon pentagon fish tank. There was one male platy in it and on Monday I went to a big aquarium store and bought some more fish (2 male guppy, 4 female platy, 6 zebra danio, 5 shrimp, 1 bristlenose pleco, all fish are babies). They all seem to be doing fine except for one of the male guppies is chasing the male platy who is chasing one of the female Platys. This was going on all day yesterday and when I woke up this morning the male guppy is still chasing the male platy although the female platy is now finally getting a break. Should I remove the male guppy? I don't want to get rid of the platy as he is my original fish and I like him. Thoughts? Why is the guppy being a jerk?

 

Male fish can be territorial and also have a need to establish dominance over one another. You might have to wait it out for a few days until they come to an understanding.

You can try putting more plants and some hardscape to break up the lines of sight so they aren't constantly facing each other down. Sometimes that helps.

 

I didnt realize fish of different species had to sort out dominance too. The male guppies seem to be fine with each other. About half the bottom is planted but maybe I will add a few more (I love plants anyway). I just hope the guppy doesn't kill my platy as he was the original and my daughter wouod bawl if she lost him! Thanks for the advice!

 

Some fish are just jerks. Sometimes that is the explanation. But as you have just changed the dynamics of your tank, it's likely they're just establishing a pecking order.

I hope it works out okay for you.

 

Thanks. How long should I give it before giving the guppy away? A week?

 

If you are still seeing bullying in seven days time then a personality clash isn't going to be resolved and moving the guppy to a tank of its own, or someone else's tank would be best.

 

Thanks! I took a video of the chase yesterday. The black headed platy is the female. She is finally being left aline today but the guppy has been chasing the male platy with the black stripes on his tail since then. It is exhausting just to watch poor platy