Can I Increase My Stocking Levels?

[BFG]

Hi,

I've got a Juwel Rio 180 (180L, 40 UK gal, 47 US gal) running with its internal filter and a 2217 Eheim classic (which is brilliant by the way).

My current stock is:
2 adult pearl gouramis (male & female) - male slightly agressive, but nothing major
5 neon tetras
6 peppered corydoras
2 bristlenose catfish - larger one is slightly agressive, but nothing major
a couple of apple snails and several japonica shrimp.

The tank has been running for 2-3 months now and is quite heavily planted with Vallis, Java Fern, java moss, and a bit of cabomba. I did a fishless cycle and unfortunately lost a tetra within a day and a female pearl gourami after 1 month to a bacterial infection and I think I'm slightly understocked as a result. I'd really like to add a few more neons / other tetras so the school is bigger (probably about 4) and some platys (1 male and 3 female).

Does this seem fair? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

BFG

 

[mark.w.jones]

Pearl gouramis 4"ish each = 8" total
neons not quite an inch as theyre small and produce little waste = 4" total
peppered corys 2" each = 12" total
bristlenoses 4" each = 8"

So around 35" adult total with shrimp + snails.

So I reckon youve got room for around another 10" of fish in there.

Maybe 5 platys and 4 more neons as you said.

 

[sylvia]

I wouldn't go for the fifth platy - bristlenoses and snails produce a lot of waste. Pearls also can grow to 5" max - some males can actualy grow to 6" (though this is an exception rather than the rule). Also, the 'inch per gallon guideline' only realy applies to small fish like neons - so it's not a matter of the neons producing 'little waste' but of the rest producing more

I do, however, think you could afford to add a few more neons (4 would be fine) and the 4 platies you planned on - I just wouldn't push thigns any further.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yeah the suggestions of neon's and platy's you said would be fine, just don't put anything else in after that

 

[BFG]

Great - thanks for your replies

I'm really happy with my tank, and don't want to tip the balance by going too far. My only issue is that occasionally the neons can be hanging around in my vallis, and the gouramis behind the bog wood and the tank looks empty! Hopefully this should help, so thanks for the advice!!

Now I just need to get my quarantine tank set up!!