Adding 25 Fish at Once!

[Sasha]

My friend offered me a large bunch of guppies, platies and mollies for free. She gave me 25 free fish and I had to put them all in my new 46 gallon tank. I did the Fishless Cycle, so I heard it could handle a large load of fish, but is 25 too much? I'll keep a close eye on the water levels just to be safe.

(look at my signature at the botton under 46 gallon tank to see what fish I recieved) )

 

[trev2004]

25 seems like way too much.......even though you fishless cycle you need add the fish gradually. I would test your water ASAP, if you could maybe put some of those fish in your 29 gallon. Could you take of picture of the tank, I would love to see the platies.

 

[Doggfather]

i too think 2 fish are too much, watch your water conditions VERY carfully

 

[Morrgan]

even though you fishless cycle you need add the fish gradually.

I was under the impression that after a fishless cycle you have to put in the full load of fish, otherwise there won't be enough ammonia to feed the bacteria. This would mean that 25 fish is fine. Have I misunderstood something here?

 

[trev2004]

The best thing to do after your fishless cycle is complete, is to just add a few fish and if you cycled correctly the fish will be won't be stressed at all and the water conditions will be good, then you can gradually add fish. Adding all fish at once seems like a huge stretch, maybe if you cycled using a high dosage of ammonia and you were absolutely sure that you have all the proper bacteria it MIGHT be ok, but 25 seems like a lot to start off with.

 

[Sasha]

I thought you needed to add a big load of fish to replace the pure ammonia thats been added or the bacteria wouldn't die. I guess I misunderstood. The all seem healthy and none of them showed any signs of stress.

I could put some into my 29 gallon because I don't have many fish in there, but the tank has been experiencing a little problem last month that ended up in me losing a dozen fish. I'm still a bit cautious after what happened last month. I don't want to lose any of the fish though! I'll be sure to post pictures of the tank and fish, so watch for them!

 

[Angry_Platy]

It shouldn't IMO be a problem...I too got the same impression as you....that after fishless cycling the tank was OK for a good lot of fish....

To be sure though..monitor the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels everyday and if you get any suspect reading do a water change..

I can't wait to see pictures of your platies!!!

 

[Guppygal]

About 3 weeks ago I just inherited about 30 guppys from a guy who decided to keep his 10gal tank but get rid of the fish. The tank I put them in was my new 20gal which had cycled for awhile and had about a dozen or so fry in it.

I know it is way too many fish but they were thriving in the smaller tank he had them in so I thought I wouldn't have too many problems.. Well my nitrites fluctuated badly and finally did skyrocket so I changed about half the water which brought it down to "0". My advice is like you said you would do is "check that water almost daily" The 5in1 tests strips are the best things ever created...

Also I noticed the male gups tails were all torn and dissolved looking and the females scratched on the decorations so I am now treating ich and finrot..

So I am thinking that when you get a lot of fish at once you end up dealing with a mulititude of issues. Here's hoping you have a healthy tank Sasha! Just watch that H20...

 

[Sasha]

Most of the fish are tiny, about the size of a small neon tetra. The fish breeder had too many fish and she was going to give to the pet store, so I had to take some but I only intended to get a dozen and ended up with 25 fish! The only large fish in the tank is a 2 inch black molly, but I'll make sure to test the water daily and maybe do a couple water changes this week.

I'll post pictures as soon as I get a clear picture of the platies!

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Sasha

I'm not an expert on fishless cycling, by any means, but it was also my impression that it was necessary to add a full load of fishes when the cycle was complete.

The worst thing that could happen is that your tank is thrown into a mini cycle. In this case, just follow the instructions for cycling with fish. If you have patience and keep your ammonia and nitrite levels low by frequent small water changes, all will be well and the cycle will finish with very little or no harm to your fish.

To be on the safe side, avoid doing anything that might put additional stress on the fish. Be sure, when you do water changes, that the temperature of the fresh water matches the temperature of your tank water and avoid overfeeding so that leftover food will not accumulate at the bottom.

If you've gone through a fishless cycle, you know what to do, and I'm confident that you will have success with these fish as well.