How Many Shoalers Would You Put In?

[arobinson1984]

Hi,

I have a 33 gal tank (jewul rio 125) and my current fish are as follows:

2 x bolivan rams
3 x apistogramma cacatuoides double red (1m, 2f)
2 x swordtails (1m, 1f)
1 x Albino rainbow shark
7 x sterbai cory
1 x Albino BN plec

I'm wanting to put in a nice shoal with a flash of colour to make the tank look more complete as it looks quite empty, thinking hengeli rasboras.

Question is how many?

I was thinking a shoal of 20 but does anyone reckon I could put more in?

The tank is moderately planted and is well established (been running 4 years) with a mature eheim 2217 filter providing just over 6x turnover taking media into account, I dont mind stretching the stocking limit slightly as the tank is well maintained without any deaths or illness for over 2 years


Andy

 

[Curiosity101]

If it were me I wouldn't add more than 20 going by the rule that it's easier to add than remove

Edit: Just too add, once they're mature just check where your stats are at weekly changes and if they're still holding... think about adding a few more, there are only the swords up top/middle so it's not as if you'll be crowding.

Are you planning on keeping all the stock currently in there by the way? The bottom level seems a bit crowded to me... if everythings going fine then fair enough...just saying that it doesn't surprise me your tank looks bare at the mo.

 

[arobinson1984]

Hi curiousity,

Yes planning on keeping all stock in there.

Bottom doesnt actually look crowded to look at as the BN plec spends most of its time stuck to my bog wood and the corys and rainbow shark like swimming in and around the plants.

Rest of the fish tend to vary between levels.

Think I'll just add 20 for the min, prob 10 at a time due to minimal bioload they produce. I might find that 20 gives the look I'm after.


Andy