Stocking Help Please

[JSmails]

Can anyone give me suggestions of what to put in an 80 litre planted tank which currently has 2 Bolivian Rams, 16 Tetras and 2 Catfish. I want to keep it nice and peaceful and was thinking of maybe a female betta and some glass catfish as Im looking at fish that will occupy the middle to top. Any ideas?

 

[Boxermom]

You should not add anything else. You are overstocked as it is.

 

[JSmails]

I take it u are having a laugh

 

[Egmel]

I take it u are having a laugh

Probably not a quick bit of research says that Bolivian rams grow to 4", tetras at best to 1.5" and Catfish are usually 2" or bigger so at the moment you have 36" of fish in a tank of just over 21 US Gallons, according to the 1" of fish to 1 Gallon rule you're overstocked. Sorry

I found out a similar thing when I was looking what to put in my 20G tank, I've come to the conclusion that it will have to be the smallest fish possible so I can get as many as possible

 

[three-fingers]

Its always disappointing to find out you cant get any more fish . But i think its very important you find out what type of tetras and catfish you have and tell us here .

You have a tank that is already quite over stocked(but if your thinking of adding more fish then i presume they have all been in there for at least a week and doing fine), so depending on the species you could have some VERY SERIOUS problems and have to get a bigger tank or sell some fish.

I am particularly worried abut the catfish as most catfish are bought small but some can get bigger than your tank. Also some tetras get to 4" so 16 times 4 = a very over stocked tank with the tetras alone! .

I really hope this all works out ok in the end, best of luck .

 

[JSmails]

Oh yes my (1 and a half inch) neons are really overstocking me. In fact they have taken over my entire tank! God knows what Im going to do. My tank is out of control. Does anyone need any fish? Ive got no room anymore

 

[three-fingers]

Sarcasm? We are just trying to help you . The facts are that you ARE actually over stocked even with just the neons, 16 times 1.5=24" for a tank just over 21 gallons this isnt really a probelm though, youll probably be perfactly fine with those and the rams if you have a good filter and keep up water changes.

However it IS important you find out about the catfish.

 

[JSmails]

U r right I am really worried now about my neons. Ive taken time and I really have noticed that they can barely move they r so crammed in my tank. I really dont know what to do. Has anyone any room for a squashed neon? Unfortunately my neons are only half an inch, i think being so crammed it has stunted their growth.

 

[three-fingers]

Second time i've felt like posting this in the past 30 mins .

 

[JSmails]

well done

 

[OohFeeshy]

How about a nice red tail catfish/tiger shovelnose hybrid, a school of full grown clown loaches, seven full grown silver sharks, and a true giant gourami for good measure?

 

[JSmails]

I think that may be overstocked. Unfortunately my neons have just squashed themselves to death so thats the end of that. Its back to the start and that will teach me for overstocking. Fortunately one of my catfish managed to survive the WWF Cage Match that occured in my tiny tank and I am now thinking of adding a snail as company but am worrying he may grow to over a quarter of an inch.................... AND THATS ALL SHE WROTE

 

[OohFeeshy]

Oh really? That's good then. Why not try putting your fish in a blender next time you want to cram your tank full of fish, gets rid of all those space-taking lumpy bits.

 

[three-fingers]

Could fill the tank with that and not bother with water .

 

[OohFeeshy]

Well yeah, that's another option, since by the stocking measures the OP wants the fish'll be dead pretty soon anyway.