Add All Fish At Once?

[chris_junior41]

I have a tank already with a blood red parrot, but im getting new fish soon (hopefully with the help from here ( i have another post asking advice about which to get). When I do get the fish, can I add them all at once, or is it wish to add little by little?

Thanks

 

[nukeonekitty]

Depends if you did a fishless cycle or not. If you did one and followed the guidelines you can add them all at once. If you didn't do a fishless cycle and you're not going to, add them little by little.

 

[OohFeeshy]

Assuming you mean the same tank as the parrot, a few at a time.

 

[voo]

Even if you had done a fishless cycle, depending on how long it's been since you last added ammonia, which might have been a while ago, then some of the bacteria would have died off by now as with just one parrot, not much ammonia would be being produced.

So, a few at a time. If it's a bigger tank, you might get away with a couple more.

 

[chris_junior41]

yea im thinking a few at a time as well, this tank has been up for a while, but i think it be better off little by little.

 

[ImperfectFaerie]

If there is any way for you to quarantien them, that would be the way to go BEFORE adding them a few at a time.

 

[2day]

When you add new fish, it is best to buy a few at a time over a couple of weeks so that the fish can adjust to the new arrivals.

 

[chris_junior41]

seems like a reasonable thing to do, i would assume this would have to do with territories? and who is "king of the castle" Would it matter much that the fish that I am adding are younger than the parrot? Basically the parrot seems a bit bored and i think is in need of company, so trying to figure out what fish would be a good addition at first.

Im afraid I dont think I would be able to quarentine them, unless i get like a screen and seperate the tank in half or something.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

definately a few at a time, this is to do with the amount of nitrifying bacteria in your filter, this is what keeps your tank water clean and healthy, there's only enough in there to support one parrot at the moment, if you put too many more fish in they won't be able to cope so you need to add new fish slowly and the bacteria colony will build up slowly.

regarding territories, with fish like cichlids or anyone else who's territorial or has just been in a tank for too long by themselves, it's a good idea to re-arrange the tank shortly before adding your new fish, turn the tank lights off while you acclimitise the new fish, leave them off overnight and when you turn them on the next morning they should have settled a bit.

 

[jayling]

hey im only a newbie..

but i talked to someone at my lfs and they said always add just 1-2 fish at a time...
to allow them to get use to there surrounding and also to allow the tank to get use to them being in there..

hope it helps..