Community Tank Mates

[pixelpefekt]

In my 60l tank I'd like to keep small friendly fish.

So far I've got 4 Zebra Danios but plan to add...

4 more Zebra Danios
2 or 3 Guppys
6 or 7 Neons
2 Mickey Mouse Platys
1 or 2 small cat fish or other bottom feeders (still have not decided)

From what I can see, they should all mix well but this is only based on a few sources that stumbled across online. Any one see any problems with this combo? Also, if all of these are added (up to 23 fish) will the tank be overloaded? I was thinking that because they are all so small that it should be okay.

Should I consider any other fish for this tank? My wife wants some colour added.

 

[sic0198]

I converted your aquarium into gallons, 60L comes to about 15.9 gallons, of course I could be wrong. But if I'm right I'd suppose thats too many fish for your aquarium. However all those should get along nicely.

 

[rabbut]

You deffinately wouldn't want all those in there in the first six months. 60l will be about 12gal once an allowance is made for decor, substrate e.t.c so yes IMO that would be overloading the tank.

You can't add all the new stock in one go either. The filter is set-up for the ammont of fish you have in there ATM, and the bacteria that keep your fish alive can only double once every 24 hours in usual conditions. They can multiply faster in ideal conditions, but these conditions are detremental for your fish. This means that you can only double your stocking every 24 hours, assuming your water stats are OK when tested at the end of this period.

I'd surgest;

4 more Zebra Danios
(I'd do 2)
2 or 3 Guppys
(either these or the plattys IMO, or your stocking will the pushed. Go for all males, or you will be over-run by fry (baby fish))
6 or 7 Neons
(I'd do the numbers you recomend, but with Cardinal Tetras, to keey your wife happy colour wise. Cardinals are basically neons, with the red extending a greater area )
2 Mickey Mouse Platys
(as above for guppies)
1 or 2 small cat fish or other bottom feeders (still have not decided)
(need larger number realy, so I'd leave out unless you are prepaired to sacrifice most of the above)

With larger than normal waterchanges, the above stocking is doable. Just remember to stock slowly to half full, then wait 6 months before getting the other half, again adding over a number of weeks

HTH
Rabbut

 

[pixelpefekt]

4 more Zebra Danios
(I'd do 2)
2 or 3 Guppys
(either these or the plattys IMO, or your stocking will the pushed. Go for all males, or you will be over-run by fry (baby fish))
6 or 7 Neons
(I'd do the numbers you recomend, but with Cardinal Tetras, to keey your wife happy colour wise. Cardinals are basically neons, with the red extending a greater area )
2 Mickey Mouse Platys
(as above for guppies)
1 or 2 small cat fish or other bottom feeders (still have not decided)
(need larger number realy, so I'd leave out unless you are prepaired to sacrifice most of the above)

With larger than normal waterchanges, the above stocking is doable. Just remember to stock slowly to half full, then wait 6 months before getting the other half, again adding over a number of weeks

HTH
Rabbut

I'm planning on adding the fish over an extended period of time.. maybe 4 each month? Can you explain why you'd wait for 6 months in the middle of adding them?

I'm planning on adding some more at the weekend. Would you advise that I get more Zebras now or can I perhaps add the guppies so that I have some variation in the tank and then add more zebras at a later date?

Cheers

 

[rabbut]

Can you explain why you'd wait for 6 months in the middle of adding them?

Sure...

Its to allow the tank to mature. A mature tank is more stable, thus better able to support a heavier bio-load in the tank. Cycling the tank is all well and good, but it takes far longer for the bio-film that makes the tank mature to form over all surfaces. This Bio-film acts as a barrier over every surface in the tank, stopping any disease carrying organisums from settling, and increasing the "buffering" of the tank against ammonia and nitrite spikes. (note that I have bracketed the word buffering, as I have forgotten the correct work I am looking for, but in the abscence of this word, buffering will be the next most accurate word for describing what the bio-film does )

A mature tank is better equipped to remain healthy if a mishap occurs, thus it can support a greater load of fish in safety than a new tank. In a new tank, disease outbreaks and unanunced ammonia or nitrite spikes are more likely to occur.

Best regards
Rabbut