How Many

[stevensykes]

Hi there quick question how many guppies and platys (males & females) would be acceptable for a 96L tank. I currently have 8 guppies and 8 platys. I know that they are prolific breeders so dont really want to stock too many. As i went on www.howmanyfish.com and that said the surface area was 2511 and that i could stock 82 slender bodied fish or 50 full bodied fish. How many would you guys suggest. Thanks in Advance.

 

[This Old Spouse]

If you have males and females of both the guppies and plattys, you'll have your tank overstocked before you know it!

 

[fishguy2727]

Calculators like that are flawed.

What it comes down to is not surface area or even volume, most importantly is the water quality you can maintain. For example, if you don't do enough water changes ten zebra danios are overstocking a 55, but with enough water changes you could have 15 or more discus in that 55. There is obviously an upper limit, but if you can keep the nitrate concentration under 20ppm you are not chemically overstocked.

As stated they will happily breed well for you. Most LFSs will take them once large enough to sell, and even give you a little store credit too.

 

[stevensykes]

Thanks fishguy2727 after posting this topic i decided that i had enough in the tank after seeing a few babys in there. Shock as the 4 red wag platys had only been in there for just over 2 weeks. The shop where i bought them from have said they will take them off me to sell.