Betty's Chasing Roxie

[JessiMommy]

What can I do about my poor platies? I had only one and I thought she could use a friend. So... I bought another platie. Pretty sure Betty is female. I know for sure the new addition Roxie is female. From day one Betty won't let Roxie near her. I thought maybe she was just showing who was boss the first couple days but she's still doing it. I don't think she's actually nipping at the new fish but she chases her away anytime she comes near. WHY I wan't them to be friends!

 

[Alien Anna]

Bettas can be pretty anti-social fish and don't necessarily need or want "friends". I strongly suggest you seperate them before you poor plattie gets harrassed to death. It is possible your betta is a short-finned male, or that she's just a stroppy female. Either way, I think she has Greta Garbo syndrome (the famous Hollywood actress who said "I vant to be alone" - she was German, you know).

 

[AquaNut]

Hmm. Methinks you mis-read the original post, Anna. She didn't mention a betta, just a second platy named Betty! As far as the unfriendly platies go, I wouldn't worry about it too much as long as both fish seem healthy. Generally speaking though, platies are fish who like to be kept with mates (of the opposite sex). Adding one male to your two females may help.

 

[JessiMommy]

Hmm. Methinks you mis-read the original post, Anna. She didn't mention a betta, just a second platy named Betty! As far as the unfriendly platies go, I wouldn't worry about it too much as long as both fish seem healthy. Generally speaking though, platies are fish who like to be kept with mates (of the opposite sex). Adding one male to your two females may help.

Yea I was talking about 2 platies ha ha! Anyway... If I get a male.... then I would have babies??!! aghaghagahgah!! I don't think I wanna do that!

 

[AquaNut]

If you get a male, they'll almost definitely breed in the tank, but that doesn't necessarily mean you'll have any babies. If you don't take steps to save the fry, 98% of them will get eaten by the adult fish in the tank when they're born. Even if the only fish in your tank were the three platies, from two females you'd only get maybe one or two fry surviving per month if you don't put the mommies in breeding tanks or nets. It takes them several months to grow up. If you end up with more adult platies then you wanted (and never lose any that you want to replace), your lfs will most likely be willing to take the few extras off your hands.

 

[suemack]

how big is your tank JessiMommy - if it's big enough and has been set up long enough you could try adding a couple more to difuse the squabbling


my guppy females have done that too - maybe because my tanks are only 5 and 10 gallon - if I introduce another adult female into the tank where there is only one other adult female the original one harasses the other. The only way I've been able to introduce another is to put a baby or young one in and let her grow up there

regards

 

[Alien Anna]

Hmm. Methinks you mis-read the original post, Anna. She didn't mention a betta, just a second platy named Betty! As far as the unfriendly platies go, I wouldn't worry about it too much as long as both fish seem healthy. Generally speaking though, platies are fish who like to be kept with mates (of the opposite sex). Adding one male to your two females may help.

Oops! Sorry! I was thinking about anti-social bettas when I read this. I mean Betty the Betta sounds right, doesn't it?

 

[Inchworm]

Hi JessiMommy.

I agree with AquaNut on this. You need to add a male to the tank.

Two females and no male--no wonder Betty has a bad disposition!

 

[JessiMommy]

Oops! Sorry! I was thinking about anti-social bettas when I read this. I mean Betty the Betta sounds right, doesn't it?

LOL!! Betty the Betta does sound good! I let my 3 year old name all the fish. I don't know where she got Betty but Roxie is short for Roxie Hart from Chicago. Great thing for a 3 year old to know about huh? She listens to the soundtrack in the car with me (well parts of it) & decided she loves Roxie Hart! Wonderful!

 

[JessiMommy]

Hi JessiMommy.

I agree with AquaNut on this. You need to add a male to the tank.

Two females and no male--no wonder Betty has a bad disposition!

Aghghg! I guess I can see what you all mean about 2 females & no male but I really don't think I can handle baby's or even another adult fish. I only have a 12 gallon tank. Plus the idea of the adult fish eating the poor babies would make me too sad! How terrible is it to just leave them alone? The pretty much stay on opposite ends of the tank most of the day. Feeding time is usually when Betty chases Roxie away. I just feel bad because I thought I was doing Betty a favor by adding a friend. Now I have 2 friendless fish! aghaghag!!