Where Do I Stand In Terms Of Overstocking In My 10 Gal.

[Steven-G]

I went to a fish stocking calculator site and it said I was something like 90% stocked, and I just wanted to check it out, if you can give me some feedback.  I believe in understocking and I thought I was.
 
10 gal. tank
heavily planted
50% water change weekly
Fluval U2 internal filter.
potting mix substrate, 1/4 EI dosing
 
Fauna:
- 5 Pristella Tetra
- 4 Panda Corys
- uncounted Malaysian Trumpet Snails.  Maybe 10 big ones.
 
Much more plants than fish.
 

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[the_lock_man]

I would say that, purely in terms of bioload, you were about at maximum capacity, however it's also worth pointing out that both species you have are shoaling species. In the wild, they live in groups that consist of hundreds or thousands of fish. It's generally accepted, certainly around these parts, that they lose count at 6-8 individuals. Less than that, and they tend to be a lot more nervous, a lot more skittish, and the stress tends to shorten their lifespan.
 
I wouldn't have either species in a 10gallon tank.
 
In an ideal world, I would suggest that you rehome both species, and restock with something more suitable for a 10G, but I can understand if you don't want to do that.

 

[Steven-G]

Thanks for the reply.  Can you suggest some kinds of fish that would be ok for a 10 gallon?  Thanks.

 

[the_lock_man]

Chilli Rasboras
Dwarf Emerald Rasboras
Celestial Pearl Danios
all of which are shoaling, so 6+
 
Betta - single male
 
male Endler - a group of 3 would fit nicely with a shoal of the above
 
Peacock Gudgeon (aka Peacock Goby) - keep in pairs or a harem (1male, multiple females)

 

[Byron]

I agree with lockman in post #2, but I am going to suggest another option.
 
The corys (with a couple more) would/should be OK (in terms of bioload) if you like pandas.  While this species can attain the more "standard" 2-inch size, they rarely seem to in aquaria.  I've had five (the sixth acquired died during quarantine, probably got injured when captured) for five years now and their growth rate compared to the several other species I have in with them and in another tank has been minimal.  So I would go with six here, i.e., acquire two more to add in with your four.
 
This raises other issues though.  This species is better with slightly cooler temperatures, say 75F, though my group in my 115g which is 76/77F seem to be doing well.  But they also do like water current, more than most corys and many fish, so tankmates have to be carefully chosen in such a small tank where water movement is going to be throughout the tank.  In my 5-foot tank I can have a good current at one end that dissipates significantly and this has worked well.  The pandas are often seen right up in the filter current, whereas the other corys never do this.  I am not suggesting you need a tidal wave current, and I think the Fluval filter would provide all you need here, but place the filter in one of the rear corners with the outflow aimed down the tank along the back wall.  This would also increase your circulation generally.
 
As for tankmates for the corys, if you keep them, the temperature and current issues have to be considered.  Also, what are your water parameters?  The GH (general hardness) is very important for fish, and some of the species under consideration here would be wild caught and thus more demanding.  You can ascertain the GH from your municipal water folks if you don't happen to already know it.  And pH is worth knowing too, but a test kit for this is a good investment as regular pH checks can sometimes spot trouble.
 
I won't suggest other fish uintil I know more of what you intend, in terms of the corys, and also the GH and pH.  And get the KH (carbonate hardness or Alkalinity) too, as this impacts the pH and is nice to know.
 
Byron.

 

[Steven-G]

Yep, my Pandas do it too.  I worry a little that it indicaates something wrong, but they're all right.
 
I don't think I'd like a 10 with just Pandas in it, though.  Temperature doesn't seem a problem at 78, although I will lower it a few degrees when I get a new adjustable thermometer.  I would go for a school of  Rasboras or Celestial Pearl Danios as long as they don't have the temperment of zebra Danios.  As things stand, with 50% water changes nobody's complaining.  I like the Pristellas, especially their eating behavior, and I would be sorry to see them go.  They have been in my tank since I started it in April of 2012.  So, two more pandas plus a school of one of the above minus the Pristellas.  I think the bioload will be even a little higher.  Maybe I'll go back to that calculator and see.
 
Thank you both for your input
 
Steven

 

[Steven-G]

I went back to the calculator and  with two more Pandas, the load was too high.  Now I'm thinkin 2 Pandas and one solitary friendly fish.  I looked at a female Betta and a Dwarf Gourami and canceled them out for different reasons.  My pH is 7.6, hardness is somewhere around 7 dGH - hard to read the liquid.
 
Any suggestions?  Thanks
 
Steven

 

[Steven-G]

Oops, a male betta /is/ a solitary fish.  I would really like a different species.  Did somebody say "Gudgeon?"  This will obviously send the Pristellas packing, but they've had a good life, I think, and hopefully will end up in a bigger tank.

 

[Byron]

First, I wasn't suggesting only the panda corys, just to clear that up.  I intended for upper fish too.  But before I get to species, I'd like to mention something about stocking levels and these calculators.
 
It is impossible for any program to accurately "calculate" fish load in a given aquarium.  There are simply far too many factors that cannot be added.  Every aquarium is unique biologically.  The water parameters, live plants, aquascaping, foods and feeding, water changes...and we haven't even mentioned the fish themselves.  Fish that require a group will have less of an impact on the bioload than having too few of them, so this is a case of more actually being better, up to a point obviously.  And the same works in reverse; fish that need a group but are in too small a group will also be stressed, and that impacts.  The species interaction is a factor, as fish being harassed will also impact more biologically.  Programming all of this is next to impossible.
 
Now to fish.  Knowing that you have had the Pristella and panda corys in this tank since April 2012, I would not change anything, except I would add two more corys.  But there is no room for more (different species) fish, so I won't go down that road unless you intend removing the Pristella and/or corys.  I would certainly lower the temp to around 75 which will benefit both the pandas and the pristellas.
 
Byron.

 

[Steven-G]

Byron,
 
I have slept on it and considered the different possibilities, and I think I'll go for buying two more Pandas and leave it at that.  BTW, I've had the Pristellas since 2012 but the Pandas have only been with me for a few months.  The fish look healthy and happy, although it's harder to read the Pandas and I worry about them some.
 
The Pandas were an impulse buy - I was looking for dwarf corys and I should have waited for them.  Paid 7 or 8 dollars apiece for them.  I didn't know they were live-caught but the guy at the lfs said they were hard to keep alive.  One died the first night, but the rest were alright.
 
Anyways, thank you and the lock man for your advice.  I'm not so freaked out about the bio-load anymore.
 
Steven

 

[Byron]

Byron,
 
I have slept on it and considered the different possibilities, and I think I'll go for buying two more Pandas and leave it at that.  BTW, I've had the Pristellas since 2012 but the Pandas have only been with me for a few months.  The fish look healthy and happy, although it's harder to read the Pandas and I worry about them some.
 
The Pandas were an impulse buy - I was looking for dwarf corys and I should have waited for them.  Paid 7 or 8 dollars apiece for them.  I didn't know they were live-caught but the guy at the lfs said they were hard to keep alive.  One died the first night, but the rest were alright.
 
Anyways, thank you and the lock man for your advice.  I'm not so freaked out about the bio-load anymore.
 
Steven

 
Steven, I just put two and two together and realize you emailed me about this tank short while back...now I know who I'm dealing with, lol.
 
I think your plan to add two pandas and stay with the rest is fine.  Lower the temp to around 75/76.  Make sure there is a slight current for the pandas to "play" in, and this won't harm the Pristella either.
 
Re the pandas being wild, this is unlikely unless your store is an importer of wild caught fish.  Corydoras panda is being farmed commercially now, which is why it is so often available.  But in spite of this, it has shown more sensitivity than some other cory species, even wild caught, so the store is correct on that.  I wouldn't expect any issues in your tank though; it is established and this is a big plus with any sensitive species.
 
Byron.