Stock Suggestions..

[sammclean23]

Hi All,

Recently upsized from a 15 litre to a 10 gallon tank and the process has caused me to lose most of my fish down to inexperience. (seperate thread)

Previous stock included 3 x zebra danios & 3 x white cloud minnow.

Now I have 4 x guppy (one died) 1 x Zebra Danios & 1 x White Cloud Minnow. Some of the fish exluding the guppies jumped out of my old tank which is partly why I invested in a new tank.

The problem is that I know danios and minnow are schooling fish and so will it be neccesary to purcahse a few more of those, if so how many?
And also, without overstocking, what else could I add to a tank that size?

I was thinking maybe a few neon tetra?

Any replies are appreciated

Sam

 

[Luzi]

Danios and minnows need a shoal of at least 5, but adding 8 new fish would overstock your tank. You could add 4 minnows/danios and return the lonely fish - most stores will take them back I'd keep the minnows - danios are bigger and more active so they need around 60 litres

If you wanted something for the bottom level, you could try 3 otos. They're peaceful and active, but research them to make sure you know about choosing the right fish and feeding.

 

[sammclean23]

Thanks for your reply

If I did get 4 minnows then I would have 4 Guppies and 5 Minnow. And if I introduced the otos you suggested then would adding neon tetra aswell overstock the tank?

If so, I will follow your advice and go ahead with getting the minnows/otos.

Thanks,

Sam

 

[Luzi]

I'm not an expert on stocking, but i don't think adding the tetras would be a good idea. Tetras in general, especially neons, need a well established tank, so IMO your best option is to keep the guppies and minnows for another few months, and if you really wanted some neons replace the minnows.

If this is too much fish swapping, you could return the danio and minnow, then keep the guppies until the tank matures for another couple of months. After that, some neons would make a lovely community.
As for the bottom feeders, with this final stocking otos would be best because they have virtually no bioload. If you wanted something bigger or more colourful there are lots of options, but you'd have to sacrifice the guppies or tetras.

Are the guppies all males? I'm asking just in case they're about to swamp your tank

 

[sammclean23]

I'm not an expert on stocking, but i don't think adding the tetras would be a good idea. Tetras in general, especially neons, need a well established tank, so IMO your best option is to keep the guppies and minnows for another few months, and if you really wanted some neons replace the minnows.

If this is too much fish swapping, you could return the danio and minnow, then keep the guppies until the tank matures for another couple of months. After that, some neons would make a lovely community.
As for the bottom feeders, with this final stocking otos would be best because they have virtually no bioload. If you wanted something bigger or more colourful there are lots of options, but you'd have to sacrifice the guppies or tetras.

Are the guppies all males? I'm asking just in case they're about to swamp your tank

Yeah I dont think im going to mess the tank around anymore for the minute, just keep it maintained and clean until established properly.

So will I also have to wait a few months before introducing the otos?

The guppies are all males I made sure of this when I went to get them!

Thanks for your reply,

Sam

 

[Luzi]

The otos can go in as soon as there's a constant 0 reading for toxins. If you're going to go for them, read up online because they need to be chosen carefully and fed. After the irst week, they'll be settled in. Mine are doing great after 6 months on courgette

Well done wih the guppies- in my first tank i has platy fry every week Luckily all but one got eaten

 

[sammclean23]

Right okay, well thats excellent I was hoping I could put them in soon

Well I think they are all males, the woman at the pet shop seems to think so..i think ill know soon enough if one is female!

Thanks agaain for the advice

Sam

 

[Harlequins]

I would wait a while before adding otos,they thrive better on tanks that have algae

 

[sammclean23]

I would wait a while before adding otos,they thrive better on tanks that have algae

yeah okay, better to be safe