Stocking- How Many Can I Have?

[ParadiseGuerrero]

I already have 9 white clouds, 1 paradise fish and 6 wild neon tetras in my 90L. I was wondering how many neons could I have in total? I've been told that wild caught neons tend not to grow quite as big, is this true?

 

[ParadiseGuerrero]

would 18 neons be okay? I've done a bit more research and I think I may have false neon tetras because the blue strip goes all the way down to their tail fin is this likly?

 

[mhancock]

would 18 neons be okay? I've done a bit more research and I think I may have false neon tetras because the blue strip goes all the way down to their tail fin is this likly?

Going by the inch per half gallon rule for tropical fish (which many dispute), you could have 47" of fish, however as the neons as so thin you may be able to go above this even. I guess the amount of stock also depends on filtration and aeration.

If both the blue strip and the red strip go down the whole length of the fish then you probably have cardinal tetras. Some staff in LFS get the two muddled up, personally I do prefer the cardinal tetras to the neons!

 

[fluttermoth]

Personally, I think 18 neons would be pushing it a bit; go for a dozen.

I think the generally quoted 'rule' is one inch of fish to every gallon; I've never heard on one inch to half a gallon before, that sounds very likely to lead to overstocking (which is what that guidline is supposed to help prevent; for what it's worth, I prefer to go by surface area).

If your fish are blue/green/false neons (they go by varous common names; Paracheirodon simulans anyway) they won't have any red on them at all, beyond perhaps a hint of it when they turn away or towards you

 

[mhancock]

I think the generally quoted 'rule' is one inch of fish to every gallon; I've never heard on one inch to half a gallon before, that sounds very likely to lead to overstocking (which is what that guidline is supposed to help prevent; for what it's worth, I prefer to go by surface area).

I got it from THIS WEBSITE which I assumed was correct, and happy bought more fish accordingly! Some websites indicate an inch per litre (even more) if there is lots of filtration. I have a 1400lph external unit that discharges through a triple hood filter so lots of filtering....

 

[fluttermoth]

Well, all I can say is, that's the only time I've come across it!

 

[ParadiseGuerrero]

well the red is only just there and only goes half way up so they are definatly not cardinals. I never realy liked the look of neons before, they seemed a bit to fake looking but these guys are adorable and really tiny. They shoal well too, just zip around the place but they have a bad habbit of doing head on collissions with the paradise fish, it's lucky he's too daft to be aggressive. This is them- they get 10/10 for being a pain to photograph


I'll add six more then. I've been going by the 1cm per litre rule- thats the one thats talked about round here- but figured I best check and I'm glad I did.

Thankyou both