Platy goes around the tank like he is NUTS!!!

Question
QUESTION: I've had my little platy for a few weeks now in a BiOrb tank. It's 8 gallons and he swims around the outside of its circular edge as fast as he can go and does this for aabout 10 minutes at a time. I have 3 guppies with him, 3 neon tetras and a chinese algae eater. I don't think these fish would cause a problem with him but im not sure. I've read that platies will explore every part of the tank and was wondering if he thinks he is going straight in a round tank.

Thanks in advance!

ANSWER: Unless he has any signs of disease or parasites, I would call it normal. Also, make sure none of the fish are picking on him. The only fish I would question would be the chinese alage eater. While they are sold as peaceful fish, some can be pretty aggressive. Just keep a close eye on him and make sure no bullies are in there. Otherwise, if he is eating and looks normal he is just exercising. I imagine it is possible he thinks he is in a bigger tank but it is more likely he is just into swimming. Your tank is alittle too small for all of these fish and chances are the platy is hinting at more room. However, if all is well and no diseases or parasites are present, all should be fine. I hope this helps. Let me know if you need more help.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: My platy looks and eats normal, the other fish leave him alone (probably because they don't want to get hit by him going around so fast). The algae eater does swim fast sometimes but it's completely random. Could all the swimming cause stress in the platy? Would he be putting too much stress on himself by swimming like this?

Thanks, you've been quite helpful and i'll check my fish now when they act weird.

Answer
I do not think the extra swimming is bad unless it is brought on by stress. The swimming will not cause stress but it is bad if he does it from stress. For example, I have a betta in a 5 gallon and every time I turn on and off the light he darts around from the bump the light makes. This movement from my betta is not bad because it stops as soon as it starts; however, if he kept on darting around for minutes than it would eventually become a problem. If you fish just randomly swims as you say without an outside stimulus making him do it, it should not be a problem. I hope this helps. Let me know if anything else develops or you have any more questions.