Shoal ?

[Hammerboy]

Do guppy and platy have to be in shoals ?

I've read the index and it doesn't say they need to be - are they best in pairs ? singles ?

Are there any others that can be singles or pairs which don't grow too big ( i. more than 2") ?

Thanks

ps. my pH is around 8

 

[dwarfgourami]

IMe they are not happy in singles- they may not be schooling fish, but they are very sociable. On the other hand, a male-female pair can put a lot of stress on the female as he will want to mate 24/7, even when she is in the process of giving birth (reminds me of some stories I've heard from the ante-natal ward...). These are probably the best combos:

2 or more females- this is the only combo where numbers don't usually matter, female platies are as colourful as males, and female guppies can also be quite bright these days, so this is definitely my preferred combination (you may get some fry if they are pregnanct from the shop but the supply should dry up eventually)

2-3 females per male- you will get lots of fry with this combo

5 males or more- here you need a group to spread potential aggression

 

[Hammerboy]

Is this for both Guppy and Platy ?



Apologies by the way, this was meant to be posted in the Beginners forum .

 

[dwarfgourami]

Is this for both Guppy and Platy ?



Apologies by the way, this was meant to be posted in the Beginners forum .

Yes.

 

[Hammerboy]

Just an update - i opted for 2 female wagtail platies, lovely little things.

They are soooooooo entertaining, never stop moving, all over the tank and love swimming against the current from the filter and then "flying" back the other way with the current .

Was thinking of getting some more fish but they seem to be in paradise with 20G all to themselves !!