Variable Platy Behaviour - (Xiphophorus Variatus)

[Ammar]

Hi All

I have 5 variable platy in a 120L 3ft tank, 4 females and 1 male, i have noticed lately that the male is keeping to himself and not very active in the tank, he hangs around the filter area, and even at feeding time when all other fish are going crazy over feeding, he sits quietly in his corner. any advice? is this normal of male platty or is my fish sick? I have recently added guppies to my tank as well, not sure if that affects it at all..
thanx Ammar

 

[Malawi MaD]

How long has the tank been running? What's your current water stats/parameters? Does he look ok as far as appearance goes?
Did he start to change in behaviour before or after you added the guppies? Hopefully the guppies haven't introduced any nasties into your tank. Always Best to quarantine new fish before adding them to your main tank just to be on the safe side

 

[Ammar]

Hi,

Still new to this, i need to setup a quarantine tank still, learning my way around with a couple "easy maintenance" fish. the tank has been running for about 3 weeks now i will have to come back to you on water parameters, the fish looks good as far as appearance goes I only added the guppies yesterday so i doubt they are the cause of this. but i will have to keep an eye. what should i look out for? anything specific? thanx for your response

Ammar

 

[OldMan47]

Where did you find actual X variatus Ammar? I have plenty of sources of fish but have never seen one. On the other hand I have seen plenty of pet shop fish that carried that label. Those bas***ds will put a species label on almost anything if they think it will help with sales. A 30 gallon tank with just 5 platies, common pet shop varieties, will do just fine with a weekly water change as long as that is all that you have. At 3 weeks, you do not have a cycled tank so water changes of at least 20% every week are required to control ammonia and nitrites in your tank. After another 4 to 6 weeks you may be able to add more fish but please add no more right now. Please do not give up. Many of us has had good results starting out no better than you are right now.

 

[Ammar]

Hi OldMan47

i have attached a couple pics of the fish, and yes you are right i base it on what they told me at the pet shop. i have been doing 20% water changes once a week and ran an ammonia test and it shows the level is all good. the other 4 platies look really healthy, This male platty just sits in the corner where my filter is and doesn't move much, its very weird. every time i think i lost him and stick a finger in the water he move, goes for a loop around the tank and comes back to the same spot and sits still. I also have a few guppies and the one guppie shows the exact same behavious. same spot no movement. pics of My tank and fish i appreciate your help and will definitely not give up .

Ammar

Where did you find actual X variatus Ammar? I have plenty of sources of fish but have never seen one. On the other hand I have seen plenty of pet shop fish that carried that label. Those bas***ds will put a species label on almost anything if they think it will help with sales. A 30 gallon tank with just 5 platies, common pet shop varieties, will do just fine with a weekly water change as long as that is all that you have. At 3 weeks, you do not have a cycled tank so water changes of at least 20% every week are required to control ammonia and nitrites in your tank. After another 4 to 6 weeks you may be able to add more fish but please add no more right now. Please do not give up. Many of us has had good results starting out no better than you are right now.