Stocking Issues

[mikka23]

I've had my tank set up for a while now. Just wondering If I could get away with upping the number of some of my fish. The tank-mates are happy at the moment but I would quite like to up the number of a couple of them. Recently the Bolivian rams spawned and the rainbows have been mating (I think) so they seem happy at the moment. Here is the stocking at the moment:

200L Roma
1400 L/H External Filter
Planted with bog-wood + gravel substrate

2 Red Rainbows
2 Boesemani Rainbow
2 Bolivian Rams
2 Zebra Loaches (Want to up the number of these)
2 Moonlight Gouramis (Regret buying these a lot and would rather remove and up the number of rainbows)
5 Rasboras (Want to up to 10)
6 Penguin Tetras (Also regret)
3 Hara Hara Catfish (I think they are hara hara, were sold as moth catfish if I remember)
1 BN Pleco

I would like to up the number of the Zebra and Rasboras mainly, because I reckon they would be better in higher number but not sure if my tank size could handle it. Thoughts?

 

[waterdrop]

Well, a 200L/53 US gallon tank would carry a rough guideline of 53 inches of fully mature adult fish body as a maximum stocking recommendation, particular if the fishkeeper is within their first couple of years of fishkeeping.

So the next step would be to take you list and look up what max size each species grows to here on TFF (and wikipedia and other sites (single species sites generally have the most accurate info if you happen to find them.) On your next post just present each of those sizes and then "x X" (times the number of fish you have) and the resulting inches of that species, then add the column up and see how far under or over you are for the 53 inch capacity of the tank.

If you have fish you regret then by all means don't hesitate to re-home them. Not only can you try your LFSs but you can offer them free on craigslist etc. and other members say it's surprising how quickly someone will come for them.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[mikka23]

I added up the number already and came to a fraction over 200cm I believe. So I seem to be at max capacity already. Think I will advertise my moonlights for someone to take (much to the dismay of my family which seems to have them as their favorites) once im actually back at my flat. They just really bug me for some reason.

 

[ddgbumblebee]

I think that would be best for you to sell those fish which you are no longer interested in and up your schooling fish more. This will both make them and you happier most likely. Also, overstocking always leads to problems, I rarely recommend it.
Hope it works out for you

 

[guppy2198]

I think that if you have enough room and the fish get on well it should be all right. However, if you are not interested in some fish send them to friends or give them back to the place you got them. You might even get some money back. Hope it helps.