Am i over stocked ?

[Be28ans]

Hello everyone hope all is well, just need some opinions if possible, i have a 10 gallon waterbox planted tank ive had going for about 2 years. I actually just put fish in it afew days ago . I have 3 Cherry barbs, 4 neon tetras, 1 otto cat fish and a nitrate snail. I wanna add another otto, am i overstocked?

 

[Biancah76]

Aqadvisor is great for compatibility, stocking and water change advice. I rely on it heavily

 

[Rocky998]

Well... Yes and no. For bio load the tank is fine but for tank size in inches or cm with those fish... Its not good. The tank is a tall one meaning that there is less horizontal swimming space and therefore less fish should be placed in.
Also I see another issue, I would rehome the otto because they do best in bigger tanks like a 15-20 gallon so they can have more of their kind like neon tetras. Also you definitely need more of each species so they are less stressed. Which would mean getting rid of all species except for one.
What are the dimensions of your aquarium? This would help us help you more.

 

[itiwhetu]

The tank looks fine, I love all the plants. Since you have just added all these fish, just wait now for a couple of months, and let things settle down. Is the tank acidic, if it is that is great as these fish love soft acid water? If it isn't, add some driftwood to it, in fact I would add some driftwood just for the Oto to hang on.

 

[Rocky998]

The tank looks fine, I love all the plants. Since you have just added all these fish, just wait now for a couple of months, and let things settle down. Is the tank acidic, if it is that is great as these fish love soft acid water? If it isn't, add some driftwood to it, in fact I would add some driftwood just for the Oto to hang on.

Ummm its too small... You see it right? These fish need groups of 6 or more and a latger swimming space than what is provided in that tank. They may survive but not thrive

 

[itiwhetu]

Ummm its too small... You see it right? These fish need groups of 6 or more and a latger swimming space than what is provided in that tank. They may survive but not thrive

You are just quoting others; these fish will be happy as Larry in this tank. Lots of live plants company what else does a fish need.
Do you believe that fish count and go there is only five of us, I'm really depressed I wish my human would buy me another couple of buddies? Then there will be seven in our group, and I will be really happy.

 

[Guyb93]

I see the dilemma, are those fish going to be ok and happy yeah would I ever say put those fish in there . No it’s a hard one for me because a tank that size is good for shrimp or a single betta but I would never look at your tank and think OMG that’s cruel , you can see a lot of effort has been given to it , over stocked no , better stocked maybe

 

[Wills]

You are just quoting others; these fish will be happy as Larry in this tank. Lots of live plants company what else does a fish need.
Do you believe that fish count and go there is only five of us, I'm really depressed I wish my human would buy me another couple of buddies? Then there will be seven in our group, and I will be really happy.

Not sure this is an entirely fair response. Rocky is learning and giving advice that I think most agree with

In terms of fish counting, its obviously a no. But the idea of good schooling numbers is to replicate their field of vision in the wild, so if in the wild our tetras and rasboras live in schools of 100s the individual fish can see a minimum of 6 or so at any one time. If they can see none of their companions then they assume a predator is around and encourages them to hide, become defensive and stressed - leading to a greater risk of disease or injury from them being flightly around the tank.

Schooling fish have been shown to have a natural reaction to responding as a group, through micro movements they see their neighbours moving and instantly replicate it which sends the ripple through their group and the whole group moves as one. Its the same kind of response as if you put your hand towards fire, the physical response is instinctive without your brain needing to give the instruction.

When people suggest certain numbers as a minimum its trying to give the owners a chance to meet this requirement. So does the OP have an over stocked tank no. But @Be28ans I think you could choose better fish for your tank to make sure you get the schooling numbers - for example rather than Neon Tetras go for Green Neons which get about half the size and instead of the cherry barbs go for chilli rasbora. In a 10 gallon tank you could have a school of 10 of each species and swap your ottos for Amano shrimp to help with a bit of a clean up crew.

But I agree with the others here that your tank looks really great

Wills

 

[Rocky998]

Exactly. I think the tank is beautiful. All the plants look amazing in there.
I just think the fish could have been planned out better

 

[Back in the fold]

That's a great tank with great fish. Worry not thyself.