How Many Tetra's

[Jo1980]

Hi everyone,

About how many tetra's can I fit into my tank?

I have 7 Neon's at the moment, and 4 Albino Catfish.

My tank is 85 Litres which is about 22 US Gallons I think...

I was thinking about 30 would be ok, but I just want to confirm...

Thanks,

Jo

 

[Lateral Line]

30 is way way too many. Assuming the catfish are Corys, and your tank is well set up and cycled, you've got room for another 2-3 of Neons, no more.

A simple guideline for the maximum stocking level is to assume 25mm/1" of fish per US Gallon. This is a guideline for the maximum stock, not a goal to be acheived I should add. Less is alsways better.

 

[freddyk]

all of the fish in your tank are small and light on the bio-load, and they take up little space. In 22 gallon tank 30 is overboard, but I would not hesitate for a moment to double your school of neons.

What are the dimensions of your tank? A longer, shorter tank has more space for fish then a taller one.

 

[Lateral Line]

The stocking guidelines assume typical community low bio-load fish. If you keep messy fish like cichlids, the stocking goes lower. Thus saying these are light bioload therefore you can keep more is incorrect.

 

[freddyk]

These guidelines you talk about don't really exist, except in the minds of some fishkeepers. These rules can get someone into trouble, or they can impede the potential of a tank - it can work both ways. I judge each tank based on it's own variables, based on my experience, and I can assure you that 15 neons and a few corydoras in a 22 gallon tank is not overstocked.

 

[Lateral Line]

Guidelines exist, rules do not. You know very little about her tank. It could be a hex for example - I'm not saying it is, but with the low surface area to volume of hex tanks, stocking has to be lower unless special care is taken.

On a very brief description, advising FOR overstocking seems foolhardy.

It is certainly true that some people get away with overstocking, and may even keep their fish alive, however, it is also true, that those who stock appropriately are less prone to trouble.

You are quite welcome to you're opinion of course, as am I.

 

[freddyk]

You are quite welcome to you're opinion of course, as am I.

Yeah, that's why I'm not sure why you retaliated to my response in the first place..

 

[Lateral Line]

Retaliated? A little strong I think. It simply seemed to me that you were suggesting the "guideline" was assuming something that it does not.

The guideline has always been formulated on the assumption that the fish in question are typical light load community fish of the type Jo ws talking about. Thus, saying that the fish are "light load so you can keep more" is not in accordance with that guideline.

It is not "my" guideline, search, you'll find it all over the place. If people choose to ignore the guideline, then they can, and will do so. I am simply stating that for inexperienced fishkeepers, overstocking is far more dangerous then an appropriate stock level.

 

[Jo1980]

WHOA!!! Sorry for opening this up!

My tank is rectangular, 2' long, 1.5' high. I also have 3 live plants in the tank doing extremely well (don't ask me what they are called...) It's been running since Christmas, so it is well and truly cycled.

So, with 4 corys, you believe I can only put another 5 Neon's in and that would be it? I'm sorry, but from what I've read (including on this site) I thought I could fit alot more in than that...

 

[freddyk]

I thought I could fit alot more in than that...

You can. That's what I'm saying by those rules and guides. They don't mean too much. Don't worry about that little dispute, I have no hard feelings toward LL and I respect his opinion, but I think he might have an apoplexy if he saw my tanks

LL is giving the safety guide. I consider this guide light. Stocking depends on the types of fish being kept, the filtration you have on the tank, you're maintenance routine, and you're own preference and judgement. And, in the end, experimentation.

If I were stocking only neons and cory's, I'd go with 15 neons and 6 cory's without a second thought, and then probably consider something else to add. To play it safe, stock a few at a time and see how it goes, get an idea of how it's going over time.

 

[Jo1980]

Ok, thanks for the help. I will let you know how I get on. I would only ever buy a few at a time anyways...

Thanks again


Jo

 

[Eunen_de]

Another guideline I have read was based on surface area. Most small fish, 2 inches or less, should have 6 square inches of surface area each. Medium fishes 9 square inches and I forget how much for large fish. This was mostly for oxygen concerns. The book did note that there are a lot of variables to consider. The messyness of certain fish means lower density stocking, some fish need more individual elbow room to prevent aggression, some cichlids need to be more crowded to reduce aggression. Also, highly planted tanks tend to be higher in oxygen, cleaner and more stable so you may be able to stock more than in a similar unplanted tank.

The one inch per gallon rule is well intended and helps newbies not overcrowd their tank but it is too simplistic. It doesn't take all the variables into consideration.

 

[nitro]

I would say you could get another 3 neons. Maybe another 5 to make 12 but i think that would be pushing it abit.

HTH