Can't Decide On Stocking

[FishLover66]

I posted this in the greneral aquarium discussion forum, but got no response, so I'm hoping someone here who has experience with Bolivian rams can help me. Bottom line, I want ALL my fish to be happy and don't want to overstock.

Hi all. I'm hoping you can help me. I know what type of fish I want, but it's the AMOUNT of fish I'm having trouble deciding on. At the moment, I have 4 marble hatchets, 5 neons, 4 otos, and 3 Sterbai cories. With the exception of the otos, I started each group with 6 and they dwindled down due to one illness or another. My tank is a Marineland 27 Cube (20"w X 20"h X 18"d) meansured on the outside of the tank, so the inside is slightly smaller. It's a planted tank with soft, acid water (usually around 6.6 to 6.8) and white sand substrate, but I'm going to be swaping that out for PFS, because EVERYTHING shows up on it and my tank constantly looks dirty, which drives me crazy.

Anyway, I think I'm fine with the number of otos I have, since I only usually see three sticking together at a time (and I certainly don't need more algae eaters in the tank), but it's the other schooling fish I'm concerned with. I know they would feel more comfortable and be happier with a larger group, but I also don't want to overstock.

I definitely want a Bolivian ram, but I think I would be pushing it, stocking wise, if I get a pair, but am wondering if I just get one if it will be happy. I know they have their own territories and would squabble with others that get too close, so I assume they would be fine alone, and maybe even be more peaceful that way. This is the way I'm leaning, but I've never had a BR before either.

If I do get a pair, than I don't think I would be able to increase the size of the schooling fish at all, but if I get just one, than I might be able to get a way with adding one or two of each type of fish to their group.

Any suggestions?

 

[mattlee]

i would just up the number of what you have anyway tbh, all the fish you have need to be in bigger groups to be happiest.

a pair of bolivian rams may be ok in there too as they do stay quite small but if you had 2 males then they could get a bit fiesty with each other. its very difficult to sex rams at the size the lfs will have them in at so buying 2 will be a bit of a gamble im affraid in getting a male and female. these rams are so much sociable in larger groups so i wouldnt bother with a single fish.

have you concidered german blue rams? these are much easier to sex even at a young age and you are guarenteed to get a male and female pair. your pH is good for them too.

 

[FishLover66]

Well, I really prefer the look of the Bolivian ram over the German Blue. Plus I've heard they are easier to care for and have more of a personality.

Although, I just watched some Youtube videos of German blue rams and it seems as through they swim all over, which is definitely a plus over the Bolivians, who seem to stick to the bottom of the tank. I also like the look of the electric blue ram, but I'm not sure that one is as easy as the German blue to tell which sex it is. It's definitely a possibility,though.

I think I'm going to add two more of each of the schooling fish (other than the otos) and see how that goes first. That will buy me some time to decide what I want.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[mattlee]

the thing with GBR's is that they prefer soft acidic water thats a bit warmer 28-30 degrees C. if you went for these your other fish will manage ok with the slight increase in temp.

the thing with GBR's is that they are bred time and time again for colouration which people say decreases the immune system. they can be a fragile fish but given the right water from the start is a great bonus.

bolivians will adapt to most water parameters and will be the easier fish to acclimatise and keep and if happy do colour up very nice indeed so dont let the drab colours at the lfs put you off these. mine have intense yellow bodies with blue, red and orange fins and look great in the group of 7.

your plan sounds great as all your fish do prefer to be in bigger groups, the bigger the better. add a couple more of each and see how it looks, afterwards if you think another 2 neons will be ok then add them. stocking isnt just down to inches per gallon this is a very rough guide, it also depends on size of fish, water changes, filtration and feeding. just dont forget that the fish you buy will probably be small juvi fish and will grow a bit. you have no fish that have a huge bioload of the filter so i think a few more could be added to a tank of your size

 

[FishLover66]

Awesome--Thanks! My biggest concern was overstocking, so I'm happy to hear that none of my fish have a huge bioload. Although I do have to say that I've heard otos have a small biolode, but mine seem to poop ALL THE TIME! They stick to the front of the tank for the most part, and the white sand is covered in little oto poops--can't seem to vacuum enough. Which is why I'm switching to a darker colored PFS--hopefully that will help.

 

[mattlee]

yes it will help and look much better. the only down side to owning plecs of any kind is that if they are well fed they poop none stop

use the size of the fish as a boiload factor. all your fish arent going to get much over 2 inches max so will have minimum effects on the bioload. due to this small bioload just add the new fish in small amounts maybe 2 of each species until you have what you want of each. as your stocking is quite low/small your filter may struggle if you add 6 new fish at once as you only have 16 fish at the minute. you can usually look at a tank and see if its overstocked or not its more judgement than science in my eyes. obviously the more fish equals more poop and higher levels of ammonia, nitrite and eventually nitrate so test the water and see if you need to increse the amount of water you change after adding the new fish

keep us posted how it goes and post some pics when it done

 

[FishLover66]

Thanks! Will do!