Could I Up My Stocking Numbers?

[fidjet2]

Hey all,
Well at the moment i have-
15 neon tetra's
6 panda corys
1 flame dwarf gourami

Its a 90L tank.

Soooo i was wondering if i could up the numbers of either neons or panda's
Thanks

 

[hinterglem]

I think you are a little over stocked already. A rule of thumb that is often recommended is 1 inch of flat-bodied fish per gallon of water. 90L is just under 20 imperial gallons, 23 US gallons, and with decor, gravel, etc. you should probably stick to 20 inches of fish or less.

 

[the_lock_man]

There's another rule of thumb which says 1cm per litre (that's what it said in my "Big Boys Book of Aquariums and Fishies" when I first started researrching the subject). 90 cm = 36". And I still stock past that rule, but then I know that I will keep on top of water changes, my filter can cope with the bioload and I'm content that there is more water than fish when I look at my tanks.

If you can genuinely tick all three boxes, then go for it.

Personally I would go with a few more cories, in your situation. But it's your choice.

 

[Tizer]

I would up the pandas to 10 if it were me, they are smaller and do better in bigger groups. Got any pics? Are they on a sand substrate?

 

[fidjet2]

According to the people on here that said i could up my number of neons to 15, i am not overstocked..... So far my filter is handling it.
No pics sorry, i always think my tank looks terrible compaired to most that are on here
yeah they are on sand substrate, they wisk through it, they are too cute
Hmmm i might up them to 10 -when i get the money and i am hopefully going to get an external filter, but was wondering, someone on one of my other topics said i would have trouble with it because something to do with the inbuilt filter
Would i be fine with the external?

 

[James9114]

i agree with the 10-12 cories, they will be much better to watch in bigger groups just do more water changes and you will be fine.

 

[soybean]

The 'inch per gallon' thing is all well and good but there are so many variables it is largely nonsense, imo.

If you're confident your filter could handle more fish, I think you could go up to 20 neons or 10 pandas - not to be added all at once though.

 

[fidjet2]

thanks all, i might wait till i get the external, then up my numbers, just to be sure my filter can handle it all

 

[hinterglem]

Ok, I'm new here and I don't mean to step on anyone's toes or run the risk of being flamed, but just because your filter is handling it does not mean you are not overstocked. Overstocking does not mean having so many fish that your filter can't keep a cycle going. In fact, overstocking can be ok - sometimes it is necessary (eg. with certain Cichlid setups), but I think it is unwise to push it unless you really know what you are doing and can keep a close eye on water parameters and do water changes every week. Even then, I think it is kinder on the fish if they have a bit of 'elbow room' so to speak. Also, it is not just the filter that restricts stocking levels - just as important is the surface area for oxygen and CO2 transfer.

When it comes to 1 inch per gallon, yes there are lots of considerations and it is only a rule of thumb. Small fish are lighter on the bio load (per inch) than larger fish, some have almost no impact (eg. amano shrimp), and larger tanks can handle more fish per gallon than smaller tanks. But for a novice (and I don't know if the OP is a novice or not), I think it is safer to recommend 1 inch per gallon than 1cm per litre as a general guide.

 

[the_lock_man]

Ok, I'm new here and I don't mean to step on anyone's toes or run the risk of being flamed, but just because your filter is handling it does not mean you are not overstocked. Overstocking does not mean having so many fish that your filter can't keep a cycle going. In fact, overstocking can be ok - sometimes it is necessary (eg. with certain Cichlid setups), but I think it is unwise to push it unless you really know what you are doing and can keep a close eye on water parameters and do water changes every week. Even then, I think it is kinder on the fish if they have a bit of 'elbow room' so to speak. Also, it is not just the filter that restricts stocking levels - just as important is the surface area for oxygen and CO2 transfer.

When it comes to 1 inch per gallon, yes there are lots of considerations and it is only a rule of thumb. Small fish are lighter on the bio load (per inch) than larger fish, some have almost no impact (eg. amano shrimp), and larger tanks can handle more fish per gallon than smaller tanks. But for a novice (and I don't know if the OP is a novice or not), I think it is safer to recommend 1 inch per gallon than 1cm per litre as a general guide.

I'm sorry if you thought I was flaming you, I certainly didn't have that intention. You make some very good points - in fact, you'r pretty much saying exactly the same as what I said - ie filtration, maintenance and physical space all contribute to one's stocking limit.