Is My Tank Full?

[Sybilline]

In my 20 US gallon tank I currently have 3 platy fish, 1 male betta,6 bronze corys and a molly. I was wondering if I could put 8-10 neon tetras in and still be safely within stocking limits. If not, could anyone recommend some fish that I could put into my community tank? Thanks

 

[Gvilleguy]

Hi - with a 20 gallon tank, assuming a standard rectangular shape, you can support about 20 inches of adult fish. You are right at that limit now with your current stock level. How long has the filter been cycled?

 

[ShaedM]

betta?..shouldn't that be a no no?

 

[Louiseness]

betta?..shouldn't that be a no no?

Why?

 

[snake007]

betta?..shouldn't that be a no no?

I dont understand why a male betta could not go with that stocking - none of them have long fins, not too colorful and bettas are fine with cory cats.

 

[ZoddyZod]

the platys and the molly could be regarded by the betta as a conspecific, depending on colouration. There is a chance that they might have their fins nipped, but there's also a chance it might work.

 

[england]

Personally i would worry the Tetra may chew the fins of the Betta, can you state what sytle betta you have, for example the traditional veil tail? or plakat?

Again personally i would rehome the platys,betta and molly, get a pair of smaller cichlids for example keyhole cichlid and get around four black skirt tetra...with you corys,,

 

[snake007]

Personally i would worry the Tetra may chew the fins of the Betta, can you state what sytle betta you have, for example the traditional veil tail? or plakat?

Again personally i would rehome the platys,betta and molly, get a pair of smaller cichlids for example keyhole cichlid and get around four black skirt tetra...with you corys,,

Hmm a 20 gallon us is a 17 gallon uk - so could a pair of keyholes live in a 17 gallon?

 

[Mowbz]

the platys and the molly could be regarded by the betta as a conspecific, depending on colouration. There is a chance that they might have their fins nipped, but there's also a chance it might work.

+1, thats about the only issue, and it depends how grumpy your Betta is. Some are fine, some are a nightmare. Its a case of "suck it and see" for most i think.

 

[the_lock_man]

the platys and the molly could be regarded by the betta as a conspecific, depending on colouration.

I never had any problems in this respect, but I think that it does depend on the nature of the betta - the one that I had in with platies and mollies seemed to me to be very docile.

 

[Sybilline]

I was careful when I added the betta, I had small tank as backup in case the Betta became aggressive or the other fish became aggressive towards it. The betta is very placid and I've never seen aggressive behaviour from it not is it bothered by any of its inhabitants.

I guess I'll have to put the neon tetras on hold, I suppose the tank just looks a little empty as my fish haven't grown to their full size yet. Thanks!