When Could I Add Some More Tetras?

[Ilikefishes]

Hi all, bought 11 neon tetras from my lfs today (was meant to be 12 but they must have been to quick for assistant to count!). Have put them in my tank which is a 180l Juwel Vision - but would like to add some more soon as I think they would look better and be happier in a bigger shoal. I want to add 7 more, as long as these 11 settle in ok with no problems. How long do you think I should wait? Thanks as always.

 

[minxfishy]

How long has your tank been cycled? What other fish are in the tank?

 

[pna]

Have you heard about cycling your tank? This means waiting for the tank to develop sufficient bacteria to process the fish & food waste - the bacteria ultimately turns the wastes into less harmful nitrates (which you then dilute with regular partial water changes). The usual idea is to add fish gradually to the tank allowing the bacteria to develop... there is also fishless cycling.

If you havnt heard of this, and you've added the fish to the tank shortly after setting it up, then I suggest you need to wait around 6 weeks, doing partial water changes around once a week. After this time your tank should be ok to add more fish to. To know for sure you need to purchase a water test kit and measure the nitrite levels, waiting for them to rise and then decrease to zero.

 

[Ilikefishes]

Hi - I bought the tank second hand, complete with water, filter, sand, fish . . . everything 2 weeks ago and got everything back into the tank within 2 hours of collecting it. The tank had been up and running for years before I got it so all cycling wasn't necessary (i hope!). I have been testing the water every 3 days along with a 20% water change. All tests have been normal for a mature tank. It has 2 USD catfish, 2 Yoyo loaches, 2 Angelicus loaches, 2 Zebra loaches, 1 Gourami, 1 Mollie, 1 Platy. It also came with a GS loach and 2 clowns but I took them to my lfs as they wern't suitable. Thanks!

 

[saz326]

Well done on taking the clowns back. I dont know how big all of the others get but I know clowns get BIG. - someone will be able to offer advice.

Let the fish get acclimatised and see how they behave - it may be pointless adding more even if teh stocking leve can take it (and I dont know whether it can as I dont know the fish and how big they get as already mentioned) - let me explain

If the other fish in the tank are relaxed and not aggressive towards the neons, then the neons are unlikely to shoal. They shoal in stores as they are "afraid" of the people etc (safety in numbers). Best wait a coupld of weeks and see if they stop shoaling. If they do stop shoaling then it would be daft to add more as the whole effect is zero.

Good luck finding out!

 

[Ilikefishes]

Thanks, will let you know how I get on. I noticed your sig - you keep cichlids in your community tank. I thought they were aggressive fish and would attack peaceful fish like gouramis and tetras?

 

[pna]

In that case, I think the general rule of thumb is to wait about 3 weeks inbetween adding extra fish to the tank, but I suggest you check the stocking level against what is recommended for the size of tank - I think adult sized examples of the fish mentioned will be heading towards the recommended limits - these recommendations can be flexed a little, but it will involve extra work on your part...

 

[Bebobb]

Thanks, will let you know how I get on. I noticed your sig - you keep cichlids in your community tank. I thought they were aggressive fish and would attack peaceful fish like gouramis and tetras?

Not Dwarf Cichlids...

 

[saz326]

Thanks, will let you know how I get on. I noticed your sig - you keep cichlids in your community tank. I thought they were aggressive fish and would attack peaceful fish like gouramis and tetras?

As already said - dwarf cichlids are generally safe. The general rule is that as long as the cichlids mouths are too small to fit a neon in - they wont hunt them.

Took me ages to find suitable cichlids for my community - and I knew that a few people get nothing but trouble from their keyholes (they have personalities and some are just nasty), but luckliy mine are big softies.