My New 64 L "fish Box" Tank

[DanPosti]

Hello there, after keeping tropical fish for the last 8 years in a small 35 litre tank I have recently purchased a 64 litre tank which I moved my old residents of 2 guppies and 4 platys over to. I want to keep in this tank (which I have moved my old live plants over to also) a total of 6 guppies, 4 platys, an otoclinus and a "herd" of cherry shrimp with the addition in a few months of 5 cardinal tetras once my tank is much more stable. I was just wondering if you thought this would be suitable? I understand the breeding habits of all of these species and have other smaller tanks prepared aswell as a flat mate who would appreciate taking the offspring on board so overpopulation through breeding would not be a problem.

I would basically like your advice on what would be "pushing it", I am happy to go without the tetras and keep some guppy fry to adulthood, not so keen on keeping more platys.

Regards, Dan.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

6 Guppies, 4 Platties, an Oto and Cherry Shrimp is pushing it in a 64l... Hold off the on the tetra idea!

 

[Cazgar]

I'd leave out the Oto too.
They need to be in groups to be happy & you haven't got the room unfortunately

 

[DanPosti]

I'd leave out the Oto too.
They need to be in groups to be happy & you haven't got the room unfortunately

Really? I had one a few years back and he seemed very happy to me. I have only since buying this tank started reading forums like this and am genuinely quite shocked at how conservative the posters are with the amount of fish one can fit in a tank. I have had these 4 platys and 2 guppies in a tank half this size for over a year with absolutely no ill effects, always seemed very happy and healthy; so it seems bizarre to say that more than double the tank size can take 4 more small fish. The filter in this new tank (interpet PF2) seems very good for the tank size and I have my old filter running alongside it too, so even given all that would you all say 4 platys 6 guppies and shrimp would be my limit, or would raising a few extra guppies be a possibility. Remember I have been keeping fish for 8 years now with very few issues.

I am not trying to be facetious I should add, just a little bamboozled by the idea that the tanks I've been running without a problem for a long time with what seemed to be happy, healthy fish would seemingly sicken some of you. I understand you are the experts and am happy to follow your advice, naturally, since I do just want to create a good living environment for my fish.

Regards, Dan.

 

[Cazgar]

I think we like to err on the side of caution.
The fish box is I think a tall tank, so while holding 64 litres of water it doesn't have much length for swimming space, which neons need as they're zippy little fish.
I have a group of 5 Oto's & they tend to stay in a loose group & often zoom around the tank together, so one on it's own might feel a bit lonely

 

[DanPosti]

I think we like to err on the side of caution.
The fish box is I think a tall tank, so while holding 64 litres of water it doesn't have much length for swimming space, which neons need as they're zippy little fish.
I have a group of 5 Oto's & they tend to stay in a loose group & often zoom around the tank together, so one on it's own might feel a bit lonely

Ah, understood, would you say that maybe the 4 platy, 6 guppies and then introducing some of the guppy's fry over time would be acceptable then?
Regards, Dan.

 

[sadguppy]

How about pygmy cories? I have some in my 65l with platies and guppies, they only grow to one inch so you can have a whole herd of 8 perhaps...

 

[jenjen_82]

I think we like to err on the side of caution.
The fish box is I think a tall tank, so while holding 64 litres of water it doesn't have much length for swimming space, which neons need as they're zippy little fish.
I have a group of 5 Oto's & they tend to stay in a loose group & often zoom around the tank together, so one on it's own might feel a bit lonely

Ah, understood, would you say that maybe the 4 platy, 6 guppies and then introducing some of the guppy's fry over time would be acceptable then?
Regards, Dan.

The fish box is a 2ft tank and if I remember correctly its about 15 inch tall. In mine I have 6 neons, 6 harlequins, a betta and 3 panda corys who are all very happy. I got rid of the interpet pf2 and got a fluval external too and do weekly water changes of at least 20%

When i bought the tank I asked on here what I could get and was told 6 neons, 6 harlequins and 6 small corys