Not Sure If I'm Over Populated

[juliehainsworth]

Hi I have a small tank approx 45litres not sure exactly how many litres it is as didnt count how much I water I put in sorry. I have one fluval 2 filter, airstone, light, 1 piece bogwood, 3 plastic plants.

My fish consist of

1 Silver dollar
5 adult platy's some fry
1 siamese fighter
6 Emerald eye rasbora's
8 Glowlight tetras
3 peppered cats
3 golden weather loaches

I do a 2 litre water change every couple of days. Most of the fish seem happy and are well fed, they get regular freeze dried tubifex, bloodworm and daphnia as well as the normal flake food. Also found out that they seem to enjoy chicken and ham non of them are too keen on cucumber have tried a couple of times but they seem to turn they're noses up at it. Silver dollar once took a bite but didnt go back for more.

Reason why I'm posting this is because I'm not sure if I have too many fish in my tank, I used to have a 4ft aquarium until my father made me give it up as it took up too much room. I now have this tank and a small nursery tank in my room. Should I think of giving up some of the fish or do you think they will be ok. I know the silver dollar will have to go soon as he is starting to get bigger he's approx 4 inches.

 

[Damsel_in_Distress]

45 liters is about 10 gallons right? (correct me if im wrong) wow... thats alot of fish in such a small tank! the platies ALONE are overstocking it, (if you count fry) but that tank is way overpopulated. way to many fish.... how long has it been set up?

 

[SamUK]

what are the dimensions of the tank???



it does sound far too small for all those fish.

 

[juliehainsworth]

It got set up around x-mas time! My dad wanted rid of the old tank but I didnt want to part with my fish! which is why I have this small one!

Not exactly sure its one of those weird shaped corner ones the two larges sides are approx 16" (not really sure as its at home and have never measured it) then the front has 3 sides two at approx 5" and the third which makes the front itself 9" Could be wrong though!

 

[dwarfgourami]

Seriously overstocked in terms of bioload. Also, as you've realised the silver dollar will have to go: he needs a school and plenty of swimming room. Out of the others, I would decide whether to keep the platies, the rasboras or the tetras; that should about fill your tank. Or the betta and the cories together.

I would be careful feeding ham to these fish, as they are not really equipped to deal with the fatty tissue of meat; you could end up with serious digestion problems. Bloodworms and daphnia are better options, and the platies would benefit from peas as well; they seem to prefer those to cucumber.

 

[juliehainsworth]

Seriously overstocked in terms of bioload. Also, as you've realised the silver dollar will have to go: he needs a school and plenty of swimming room. Out of the others, I would decide whether to keep the platies, the rasboras or the tetras; that should about fill your tank. Or the betta and the cories together.

I would be careful feeding ham to these fish, as they are not really equipped to deal with the fatty tissue of meat; you could end up with serious digestion problems. Bloodworms and daphnia are better options, and the platies would benefit from peas as well; they seem to prefer those to cucumber.

The ham was an accident as it dropped in from a sarnie my niece had but they just went crazy. I will try the peas.

Unfortunately the silver dollar has been on his own more or less since I got him as the other one I bought with him three years ago died within a week of purchase! He was very shy in the larger tank and would never come out at all if someone was in the room now he is out all the time and even taking food from my fingers. He does occassionally hide behind the bogwood but that is very rare for him.

I suppose I could always get rid of the platies and keep the other fish between the two tanks I have set up as I have a small nursery tank for raising my fry!

Its such a shame to have to part with some of the fish as I have had these fish for the last few years all except the betta which my partner wanted I dont think I could part with him as he is such a character at the moment and is doing alot better than I expected as in the shop he was hidden and wouldnt come out!