First off, I'm a college student. I was wanting a little life for my dorm room, so I went up to the pet store and I was told that a 1 gallon tank would be perfect for 3 platies. Not knowing anything about them, I said sure and they're swimming around in here right now.

By doing a little reading, I have found that this isn't a good situation at all - it's way too small of a tank. If I got a 5 gallon tank would I be alright to keep them?

Thanks!

5g will be ok, but quick question: do u know what gender your fish are?
females anal fin will be triangle-shaped, while males will be closed up with an elongened few rays.

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I'm so sorry I haven't been on the forum in so long! Don't worry, I haven't forgotten this lovely website! I moved to a different county back in May 2011 and started high school in a totally different school district. So I'm still adjusting and studying hard, and don't presently have any aquariums. But once I do, I'll be right back on this forum!

2 females, 1 male.

Typically if you have a male you should have at least three females. I think the male will chase the females to death. You might watch and see if the male is chasing the females. They can literally chase a female until it dies.

typically u can have 2 females, but as flyin-lowe suggested, 3 would be better, but than that would be overstock for a 5g

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I'm so sorry I haven't been on the forum in so long! Don't worry, I haven't forgotten this lovely website! I moved to a different county back in May 2011 and started high school in a totally different school district. So I'm still adjusting and studying hard, and don't presently have any aquariums. But once I do, I'll be right back on this forum!

A 5 gallon tank would prob hold 4 platies and I would also agree to get another female but man you are gonna be when they start breeding. Check craigslist or something you can get some really sicko tanks on a budget if you just look. Any way good luck bro happy fish

I would add 2-3 bunches of anacharis (an aquarium plant) to help maintain the tank.

5g would be much better 10g if you have the room even better.

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fw leiden since 1979, fo salt since 1979, mixed reef 55g 2002-2009. Strong emphasis on the tank taking care of itself. Balanced with plant life, no water changes, tap water, no filters in FW. Only dosing calcium, alk, mag in marine reef tanks. http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/my-...ods-26410.html
recent tanks (till 2009) 7 years- 10g FW leiden 7 yrs, 55g mixed reef 7, 2 yrs, 20g FW leiden, 10 g fw leiden , 29g mixed reef, current tank 55g leiden