Neons and Cardinals in 14G Tank

[SarahBravo]

Do you guys think it would be okay to have 10 neons and 10 cardinals in a 2' x 1' x 14" high tank - it's just over 14G UK? It would just have them in and maybe some otos or a zebr loach or two, planted around the back and sides, dark substrate, wood and rocks to hide in, dimly lit. I just wondered of they needed more swimming space than that?

Any advice appreciated!

Sarah

 

[Lateral Line]

You would be somewhat overstocked with all those in there. Not hugely, but definitely so.

 

[The-Wolf]

I aggree, why not go for 6 of each.

 

[nitro]

I would go for 10 neons.

 

[freddyk]

I would also go with a larger school of just one of them. A school of a dozen or so should not be a problem. I prefer cardinals myself, much hardier and less expensive, IME.

 

[NickT]

i wold go with 10neons 6 cardinals and 3 otos

thats not too much of an overstock considering neons are clean fish.
i dont have experiance with cardinals but 10 tetras dont even count as 5 inches of fish IMO.

thats gonna look nice! i cant wait to see some pics if you do decide to do it.

 

[NickT]

I would also go with a larger school of just one of them. A school of a dozen or so should not be a problem. I prefer cardinals myself, much hardier and less expensive, IME.

ive herd cardinals are alot less hardy? im probly wrong but i know i havent ever lost a neon due to natural causes.... but then agan i havent kept cardinals yet.

 

[Lateral Line]

The "one inch of fish to a gallon" is a guideline for the maximum stocking level, and assumes US gallons. You should work down from that figure, more so if you keep "dirty" fish, not up because you are keeping clean

The US gallon is smaller then a UK gallon, about 20 - 25% so a 14UK is about a 17US.

 

[NickT]

ive seen too many "overstocked" tanks that are still verry helthy to build tanks based upon the 1 inch rule LL. IMO that is a verry loose rule and it hasto do more with the fish you keep than the size.

 

[freddyk]

IMO that is a verry loose rule and it hasto do more with the fish you keep than the size.

I agree completely, but for somebody just starting out, and going with small fish like neons and cardinals, the rule is a good safe guideline to begin with.

 

[SarahBravo]

I really wanted to move the cardinals and tetras out the 180L tank because that IS overstocked, although the fish are fine at the moment and all the tank readings are A-ok. If the Juwel Rekord 70 isn't any good for all of them, I'll try and silicon up an old leaky 3' tank I've got. I didn't really want to split the shoal up, they seem to like all hanging out together.

Thanks for the advice

Sarah