How Many Fish Can Be Added At Once To A Six Month Established Aquarium

[Fishkeeper4567]

Hello. Want to stock up on fish tomorrow. I was thinking now that my tank is six months established that neon tetras could be a good idea. However, I lost a guppy yesterday due to old age (old when bought) so want to replace him and may be another to accompany my last guppy. Having the ottos was a gamble and I lost two of them. However, one was really quite single and has settled In well. Fed him some cucumber today. I know they are social fish but he seems very happy at the moment and I don't want to get more as I jut don't need them for the algae. My question is would I be able to get six neon tetras and two guppies or will this overload the biological filter? I'll be happy to just get the guppies but just wanted to check if I could as it is quite established. Thanks.

 

[slaterlight]

Think it will depend on size of tank. But have you tested the water since loosing the last fish just in case theres been a spike of anything....

 

[Fishkeeper4567]

Well, I got it out as soon as it died. Tested the water nothing nasty. The tank is 35l and is a biube. Thanks.

 

[slaterlight]

Cool, some of the more experienced guys will give you a definitive answer but I know their 1st question would have been test water and size of tank.

Can't see why you couldn't add a couple of guppies to the tank.

As far as I'm aware the tank will spike with nitrate or nitrite one of the other when you add new fish, so tank dependent will differ with amount of fish you can add at any given time.

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

With that small tank, I would just add guppies and leave it a week. Also the other question is what were/are the exact readings. Ammonia and nitrite should be 0. Adding 2 guppies will increase the bio-load on the filter. Enouph for both to spike as its a small tank. If it was bigger then there wouldn't be any worries with adding them at the same time.

Also as I have said previously I'm not good with stocking levels but with tetras in there it might be overstocked. Also tetras are known fin nippers so they might nip their tails.

 

[ATK!!!]

If you want Tetras then you'll be better off getting Cardinals IMO as they seem to me to be better fish in general. They are peaceful when kept in groups of 6+ (mine have never so much as touched another fish), they are far more colourful than neons, they don't get Neon tetra disease as often and they seem to be more hardy. (This is only in my experience) Also I have six in my Biube so I can definately tell you there are no HUGE problems keeping them in these tanks. I would suggest however that you do not add these straight away and instead let the tank settle for a while before stocking these as they are still moderately sensetive fish.

What did you test the water with btw?

Nice to see you again anyway and I hope this restock goes better than last time!

 

[StandbySetting]

A biube isn't suitable for most Tetra's in my opinion, Green Neon Tetra's and Ember Tetra's are the most suitable commonly available species, you'd be fine to add them, just keep an eye on your water parameters and if you get any small blips, which you probably will, just correct them with a water change.