Are there too many??

[SneakBetta]

I have a male betta (about 2 inches), a Red Wag Platy (about 1 inch), a black skirt tetra (about 1.5 inches) and a neon blue dwarf gourami (about 2 inches). I have a 6-gallon tank. I know I have 6.5 inches of fish, and it's about 1 inch per gallon, but they don't seem over-crowded. Does it always seem like that?? Could I maybe get another 1-inch fish or should I keep it how it is??

 

[Lipreader]

I understand exactly what you feeling. I want more but I try to stick to the rule (one inch per gallon rule). My tank seem to have plenty of space for more but if they set this rule, there gotta be a reason and I think the big reason is to give them room to swim around freely and probably to give them room to grow because I hear somewhere that if you put too many fish in a tank, it can stunt their growth.

I'll let the expert answer your question, but this is just my opinion. I may be wrong.

 

[Great Lakes]

I always considered it easier to cheat on the one inch per gallon rule as your tanks grow in size. I would be considering an upgrade in size first if possible. A six gallon is roomy by betta standards, but the gourami will be felling cramped. Also, your Gourami and Betta may take offense to each other at some point in time.

 

[wetwetwet]

Hi SneakBetta,

One other thing to take into consideration is that these fish of yours are most likly still going to get a bit bigger.......

 

[impur]

The rule is there because fish grow and it applies to adult fish. You can get a 10 gal at walmart for 9 bucks. My 55 gal is over the 1" per adult fish guideline, but seeing as my fish are juvis AND I have another tank some will be moving to, I will be ok for awhile.

 

[Wasserpest]

My advice to beginners is always get the largest tank you can possibly afford. It is so much more rewarding to collect experiences with a larger tank and then "go Nano" when you have a better understanding of water chemistry and fish behaviour.

A larger tank means less work... better (more stable) environment for your fishes, and the optical impact of a beautiful 55 gal tank is just about 10x as much as that 6 gal bucket. The startup cost is somewhat higher, but the 55 gal size is a very standard one (at least in the US) and there are always good deals to be found.

 

[impur]

My 55 was only $75 with the hood and light.

I saw a 125 with oak stand, oak canapy and light for $630. Pretty damn good deal. Also 45 gal for $60.