How Many Livebearers (ultimately) In A 14g?

[NathanS]

Hi everyone,

I currently have 4 platies and 1 cory catfish (rescued) in a 14g tank. My LFS seems to think that's only 30% stocked, however I really want to know people's opinions on how many more I could add to create a sustainable, manageable community (my ultimate goal for this tank is a livebearer community tank)

Many thanks,

Nathan

 

[Tropical_Fish]

The recommendation is 1" of fish for every 1 US gallon of water.

So you should aim for 14" of fish

Platties count for 2" of fish each so that's 8" used up

The cory depends what type it is so could be 2" or more.

So you've used about 10" of your 14" allowance - so another two platties would make it fully stocked.

I seem to get the impression that the 1" rule can be broken espicially if you are prepared to do more water changes (perhaps 25% twice a week) and if you over filter a bit.

Still there's not much room left in there

 

[craig855s]

add another female platy...then the fry will take u to an overstocked level within a month or so so you will have to source homes for the fry then.

 

[kizno1]

you need to up the corys to 4 the more there are the more active they wil be

 

[Bebobb]

add another female platy...then the fry will take u to an overstocked level within a month or so so you will have to source homes for the fry then.

Don't the parents eat the fry if they are not removed?

 

[Elrohirthehasty]

add another female platy...then the fry will take u to an overstocked level within a month or so so you will have to source homes for the fry then.

Don't the parents eat the fry if they are not removed?

yes, but if you have moss, or other good hiding spots, they won't necessarily find them

 

[Tory]

add another female platy...then the fry will take u to an overstocked level within a month or so so you will have to source homes for the fry then.

Don't the parents eat the fry if they are not removed?

Or if your soft like me, you check the filter!!! I wish I hadnt thought of this, I found 5 mollie fry in the tank - checked the filter and found another 5!! Gawd

 

[ALW]

add another female platy...then the fry will take u to an overstocked level within a month or so so you will have to source homes for the fry then.

Don't the parents eat the fry if they are not removed?

Or if your soft like me, you check the filter!!! I wish I hadnt thought of this, I found 5 mollie fry in the tank - checked the filter and found another 5!! Gawd

LOL, i found two Swordtail fry in my filter the other week, both are doing fine in the breeders net now!