Am I overstocked ?

[Loupe]

The tank in my signature is 6 months old and I would like to have some new fish. However, I think I may well be overstocked. If I'm not do you have any suggestions for fish?
Thanks
James

 

[G_Sharky]

I think you could add some more, but if your not sure use the rule of thumb 1" of fish for every 1 gallon....

 

[Tempestuousfury]

That one inch rule!

I'm not sure how to convert that to US gallons...

You might be able to add a few more, but keep track of the water chemistry, and only a few at a time.

 

[LoveMyOscar]

...

 

[Bol]

Aww, come on, guys, the 1" "rule" isn't that bad ... if you remember that it's a "rule of thumb" (i.e. a guidline), and not a hard and fast, cast in stone "rule". There are exceptions to everything, and the number of exceptions grow as a "rule" gets simpler.

And, for us Yanks, that's a 36 US gallon tank.

Anyway, Loupe, personally what I would do when considering if a tank is overstocked or not is to look at two main things:

1) Do the fish seem ok, or do they appear stressed because they're "crowded"?
2) How are your nitrate levels, and do you ever see any traces of ammonia or nitrites?

Assuming the fish don't seem "crowded" (everyone has enough room, and enough hiding spaces for those that like them), then ...

If you see traces of ammonia every once in a while, then perhaps you have slightly too many fish for your current biofilter (bacteria bed).

If nitrates remain fairly constant, or rise slowly enough so that you don't have to do water changes "too often", then it's probably ok to add a few more fish, in my opinion.

 

[Loupe]

Thankyou people, you are very kind.

 

[modernhamlet]

Do you ever get ammonia or nitrite readings other than 0? Do you have to do water changes more than weekly due to nitrate build-up? Do your fish spend more time than they should dealing with territorial issues?

If the answer to all of those questions is no, then I think you're probably fine. The best way to tell if you tank is doing well, is to watch your fish. If they're actiing like healthy normal fish then they are probably healthy normal fish.

I, personally don't think you're over stocked. But I wouldn't add anything either. Besides, you've got a great community tank. It really doesn't need anything else!

 

[heresmike]

Fish produce 30 % of their body weight in watery ammonia.

Is that daily? I've never heard that and have always wondered how much ammonia they produce.