platy and betta fail!

[blueberry_pye]

So I had the 3 platys in with the male betta and 5 corys. It didnt end up working out between the betta and platys as the poor betta was getting nipped at i only noticed it during feeding time one just went at his tail. I took all 3 of them out straight away (just to be safe) and put them back into the 20g brackish tank. Poor Buzz Lightyear the betta wasnt very happy sharing the tank with them anway. He was in a much smaller tank on his own while i was waiting on his tank to be ready and was much happier making his little bubble nest. Hopefully he settles in now with just the corys. I realy wanted to have something else in the tank too if anyone has any ideas? if not and its best for him to be on his own with the corys thats fine too
As for the brackish tank I have 5 bumble bee gobys on the way should arrive this week sometime. I didnt plan on having the platys back in there so with the bees in there as well as the platys and molly my tank will be fully stocked lucky i ordered the aquaclear50 to use instead of my smaller filter, the extra filteration should help.
I also have an empty 14g long tank im going to set up for a fry(or if i end up needing it) tank and also i want to try and propergate some plants from the ones i already have in the other tanks. So thats my update would love your sugestions on what i should do with the betta and cory tank if theres anything that will most definatly be fine with him?

 

[Thyra]

I am surprised at the platies doing the nipping actually, both platies and mollies worked fine in my community tank with the betta. The betta never flares and they all just swim together - quite active tank. I keep a couple of otos in my tanks - the bettas have never bothered them.

 

[MdngtRain]

I wonder what made them more aggressive this time. Maybe more space to claim as their own? I'm not very experienced yet with any of this fish stuff (just started up again in nov of last year), but I've been surprised with the fish that end up being the aggressors in my tanks. My 5 tiny danios gave my school of rosy barbs a run for their money before I rehomed them. They even hasseld my gourami. Good luck and keep us updated.

~ chrissy

 

[blueberry_pye]

I have no idea why it only seemed to be one of them. Maybe she thought his tail was food as it was while i was feeding him thats the only thing that i can think of! He wasnt happy with them in their anyway he was constantly patrolling the tank flaring at them not hurting them but seemed grumpy!! I suppose it all depends on how placid the betta is aswell, i picked one with an attitude go figure all of my animals seem to have one(strong minded little luvs they are) including the dogs and cockatiel. So its probably best i moved them out even if it was just because she mistook his tail for food.I was noticing that his fins seemed to have bits missing so i was waiting to see if the platys were responsible but never saw anything untill that time and took them out straight away. I might try putting them back in when the plants have grown a bit more densly and i have the decor in to seperate areas some more. I do have a mug in and rocks for the time being untill i get the spongebob themed decor i ordered 3weeks ago on ebay its taking forever!! Well i did order them from US and im in Australia so its to be expected its taking its time. Buzz Lightyear Betta ( My son has a toy story fetish by the way lol) seems to be fine with the corys im hoping it stays that way! Also the filter flow is still too strong in the tank i added tubing so the water broke closer to the surface instead of down in the middle but it hasnt worked as well as i thought. What should i do now?? Maybe a thick square piece of sponge pushed over the output? What do you think?

 

[webgeek]

I wonder what made them more aggressive this time.

From my little experience, i observed that some mollies and platties, particularly male ones, are aggressive by nature, may be because of genetic factors. They nip / chase even their larger male / female counterparts and not just outside their family.

 

[zgoalie32]

I would keep an eye on the Bumblee bee gobys when you put them in your tank because I had 4 gobys in with my fancy guppies and the gobys would nipp at there tales. I ended up giving them away on craigslist cause we had newly born guppy fry that needed the 3 gal tank.

 

[OrangeCones]

Also the filter flow is still too strong in the tank i added tubing so the water broke closer to the surface instead of down in the middle but it hasnt worked as well as i thought. What should i do now?? Maybe a thick square piece of sponge pushed over the output? What do you think?

If the flow is too strong, check first to see if there is an adjustment on the filter itself. Many do have a 'high-low' setting or a knob to reduce or increase the flow. If not, or its at its lowest setting, you can put a sponger over the intake. The filter cannot dump water out too fast if its intake is slowed.

 

[blueberry_pye]

I would keep an eye on the Bumblee bee gobys when you put them in your tank because I had 4 gobys in with my fancy guppies and the gobys would nipp at there tales. I ended up giving them away on craigslist cause we had newly born guppy fry that needed the 3 gal tank.

Yeah ill keep an eye on them and if i have to ill move them into a spare 14gallon i have lying around I think they will be ok tho as long as their not in with any long flowing finned fish! ( well i hope so)

 

[blueberry_pye]

I tried the sponge thing and it seemed to work. Will the sponge block the flow completely? It seems realy weak now which is fine the betta and corys seem to prefer it, but i cant seem to feel the flow? i just used a normal thick cleaning sponge (new) cut it to size and puched it over. Just want to make sure im not going to do damage to the filter. Oh yeah im pretty sure it doesnt have an adjustment for the flow its an internal filter. Ill go through the instructions again just to be sure. Thanks

 

[HappyFish]

Probaly another set of platies of 2 female to 1 male ratio may possibly divert their attention. Give it a try. Plates are very fun to watch.

 

[blueberry_pye]

Thats what i had in there one male and the 2 girls it was the girls harassing him. So i dont think platys are the go for the betta he doesnt seem to like them anyway, even without the nipping. Hes much happier now just with the corys so i think i might just keep it at that unless i can think of something that would be similar to the corys duller coloured maybe thats why? But not a bottom feeder i think with the 5 of them in the 14g would be enough and might get to crowded down thier if i got anymore.