Adding new fish

[shadow212]

Hi there everyone
Apologies if i am typing in the wrong area!
Im wondering if anyone can let me know if my 75 litre tank is too overstocked to add any more fish!?I have 4 cory cats two longfined danios a red eyed tetra and a female betta now everyone gets along fine they are all well established with each other.i have 2 filters aeration and live plants…i was thinking if i could add some Ember tetras for some colour but worried about compatibility and if im already over stocked as it is!?Any feedback would be greatly welcomed
Thanks
Sarah

 

[Essjay]

It's not so much overstocked as poorly stocked. The cories, tetras and danios need to be in groups of at least 10 each as they are all shoaling fish. The only time small numbers are acceptable is if they are the last remaining individuals of a previous shoal.
However, 10 each of those three species would put you very much overstocked for 75 litres (20 gallons for those who prefer that unit)

I think you need to decide which fish are your favourites and concentrate on getting more of those rather than buying a different species.

 

[GaryE]

Research has pointed to needing 10 of any shoaling species (Bettas aren't shoalers) as @Essjay says, but the hobby has generally stuck with 6 as a basic number. Given that these are fish that can "herd" in the hundreds, both numbers are fairly arbitrary. But that doesn't take away from their need to live in groups.

The only way I'd add say 10 embers is if I could rehome the red eyed tetra and the danios. And there, I'd add a few Corys of the same species as the ones you have.

It's unfortunate for us, but most small fish survive by living in groups, and lone fish will always act like they've been cut off from their shoal. I always figure they're living their lives wondering what ate their companions, and where that thing is hiding.

 

[sharkweek178]

The thing to understand about schooling is that it's a natural defensive behavior. When fish move as a group then predators can't focus on any single one of them. This is also why mammals herd and birds flock. When fish are not in a sufficiently sized school, they are stressed. They're basically living in fear of getting eaten. We might know that there are no predators in the aquarium. But the fish don't know that.

 

[shadow212]

Hi there apologies everyones been really helpful i should have given more context in relation to why i only have 2 danios i wasn’t experienced enough to really know how many of one type you should have to keep them happy and healthy.I had to take over the care of this tank about a year ago and originally there were only two danios and three red eyes.. and well the red eye she bullied the last two remaining tetras… and i wasnt able to find out if the same might of happened with the danios like could the red eyes have bullied and stressed out both breeds leaving just the few left.I dont know how many there might have been when first introduced…so i think i was to worried about getting more of either type in case a similar thing happened.i have been pretty scared to introduce anything i knew the corys would be perfect and they are but still i should have gotten more of them but again i didnt know how redeye was going to behave!My betta has been in there for the last 6 months now and shes super chill with everyone and so is everyone with her!Anyways sorry for the essay and Thanks for the advice i think as a precaution instead i am going to invest in getting a new tank going and have the tetras and danios separately but in bigger numbers i didn’t realise the stress it would be causing them being in such small numbers!…then later down line look at a school of embers for this one…

 

[Essjay]

It's a steep learning curve when you first set up a tank, but you'll get there The forum members are only too happy to help so ask any questions you need.

Red eye tetras do have a reputation for nippiness when there aren't enough of them. Some species of tetra have a hierarchy between themselves which they maintain by squabbling. If there aren't enough of them the same few individuals are targeted all the time, and there's also the risk they'll start to include other species in the squabbling.

A new tank sounds like a great idea I must warn you though there there is an affliction among fish keepers called multiple tank syndrome, characterised by the compulsion to get more and more tanks
When you are ready for the new tank we can help suggest ways to get it set up quickly.

 

[shadow212]

Thank you so much for all your advice if I had room in my apartment id probaby suffer Multiple tank syndrome but i do have the space to fit one more of this size then i’d be forced to stop there
Thanks
Sarah

 

[Oldspartan]

A new tank sounds like a great idea I must warn you though there there is an affliction among fish keepers called multiple tank syndrome, characterised by the compulsion to get more and more tanks

Linda and I can attest to that!!!!

We started with a 20 out of boredom and 14 months later no longer have a dining room, tanks in the living room, my man cave and our bedroom. Thought we done, BUT, Linda is now wanting a 40-gallon breeder for a nano fish set-up. Oh yeah, a pond system too!

It is a harmless affliction though compared to many others.

 

[gwand]

I went from one tank to now 7 tanks over a two year period.

 

[Oldspartan]

I went from one tank to now 7 tanks over a two year period.

It happens so quickly. One minute you are on dry land and the next awash with water.