Opinions Re Changes To Stocking Please

[Lizzie71]

My tank has now been set up for 4 months and (other than the surprise death of an x-ray tetra about a month ago) I have had no problems.

But the death of that tetra has caused a slight problem, because I only had 4 to start with, and 3 isn't really enough. So I'm considering a couple of options.

1) add 3 more x-ray tetras

2) get rid of the 3 remaining x-ray tetras and add a couple more livebearers instead

3) leave things alone as the remaining tetras seem happy enough

If I decide to get rid of the tetras, I'm not sure what I'd do with them as I doubt lfs would take them, and I don't know anyone else who keeps tropical fish. But I could maybe add a pair of mollies instead, which my son has always wanted.

Hmmm, decisions, decisions....

 

[pinkdolphin_113]

i know what you mean about the 3 tetras not being enough for a school. however, you have no fish that are a threat to them, which may be the reason they seem happy. i personally think the bigger the school of fish is, the better it looks so its up to you whether you up their numbers a little.
i don't like livebearers so why not replace them all with some dwarf cichlids?

 

[Lizzie71]

Much as I would love dwarf cichlids, my children are very attached to the livebearers and have given them all names So no chance of getting rid of them!

I really regret giving the small tank over to bettas, they are the most boring fish ever. I would prefer to put at least some of the livebearers back in there, and get something different in 'my' tank, but not really an option right now.

 

[pinkdolphin_113]

just get rid of the bettas if you don't like them. i'm not a particular fan of bettas either, the only time i'll get one is when i haven't had one for a while and think "ohh, i'll get a betta!" and realise why i hadn't had one for such a long time lol
but yea, there's no point in keeping fish you don't them, unless your kids like them obviously.
34 litres... thats about 7/8 gallons... that would do for some livebearers

 

[Lizzie71]

Broached the subject of the bettas with the kids. They definitely want them, so I'm just going to get 3 more x-ray tetras for now.

I did consider a small bowl in each kid's room for the two bettas but that's two more water changes every week, and I know it'll be me who does them, not the kids.

I think I'll stick to the status quo for now, it's the easier option

 

[pinkdolphin_113]

lol okay dokey! there's nothing wrong with your current stocking apart from the x-ray tetras number being abit low so yea, topping that up is all thats needed really

 

[Lizzie71]

Thanks, got them this afternoon, plus 6 cherry shrimps