overstocked

[somefinnfishy]

OK how many fish is to many.
If all are happy and the filtration is up to speed whats the limit?
I know I have to thin out but this is the stock list for my 65
16 roberti tetras 1"
2 botia anglelistica 5"
4 albino corys 1.5"
4 thai flying foxes 1"
M/F blue rams small 1.5"
two 5" pearl goramies(sp)
1 Albino ansitris (dwarf brissle nose) 3"
20 .5 inch sword fry
4 ottos
1 gara ping ping (algae eater)4"
4 yellow congos
Working well
AGA 36x18 footprint
Tank specs
flourite 100% 4"
light 60 no flo plus 65cf
heavy planted (hasent grown in yet)co2 DIY
Hot magnum W/bio wheel double set
Emp 280

[ewok]

it all depends on the amount of maintenance you are willing to do...... it's less about the fish and filters and more about the water changes.

your best bet is to start checking nitrate levels, that is the best indicater i can think of for overstock assuming all of them are getting along ok. i *think* 20 to 40 ppm is about the max you really want to be at, so whatever work it takes to maintain that......

hopefully someone else will chime in now, i'm not sure how plants would fit in this equation. :)

[somefinnfishy]

I'm not seeing any nitrates infact have to add them.
lots of fast growing plants.I do 40% changes every 7-10 days on all my tanks.
The swords will go but want to keep the rest for awhile.
none of the fish should out grow the tank and even at max size wont have to thin out much anyway IMHO.

[OrionGirl]

I'd watch behavior. Are all the fish showing similar behavior to that reported by other aquariasts? For example, if a bold fish is constantly hiding, then something is changing it's behavior, and overcrowding, or the behavior of another fish, could be the cause. Keep in mind that most fish have an area of the tank (mid water, cave, upper levels) that is 'theirs', and as long as there is not much competition for a given area, they should be fine. Another thing to watch is growth rates, especially with the fry. If they are developing at a normal rate, then you are probably okay. If one or two are getting huge, and the rest are growing slowly, then probably you need to increase the number of water changes to reduce the levels of hormones in the water.


Nitrates are only useful in unplanted tanks. We have to remember that there are many other dissolved organics that negatively impact fish, but we are limited in our ability to test for these. Water changes dilute the concentrations of these other chemicals, so more water changes are always better.

[kdblove_99]

I was just curious if i was overstocked also so instead of starting a whole new thread.

120 gallon

3 clown loaches
1 Shovelnose cat
1 Gar
1 red parrot
1 frontosa
1 gold nugget pleco
1 clownknife "Thinking of getting rid of him though"

They all seem to be getting along good no problems at all. I do a 20% water change daily and yes the loaches are good size one is about 6-7 inches so the shovelnose cant eat them. I know there are a huge mix of fish in there and the PH is diffrent but the Front is doing good.

Would really like an Electric Blue Jack Dempsey!

Think my filtration is good also have 2 canister filters a magnum 350 and a Fluval 304 and a Emporer 400

[KateA.]

The size and girth of your fishes bodies are going to be quite large, if they aren't already. Usually a fish with a large body girth produces more ammonia than a slimmer fish, so I would also be watching that. It's not always just the inches of body length we should be calculating. You sound like you are keeping up a good try on the maintenance.

[dbcb314]

to my knowledge, most gars get huge. which gar do you have?

how big is your knifefish? they get huge

[kdblove_99]

Originally posted by KateA.
The size and girth of your fishes bodies are going to be quite large, if they aren't already. Usually a fish with a large body girth produces more ammonia than a slimmer fish, so I would also be watching that. It's not always just the inches of body length we should be calculating. You sound like you are keeping up a good try on the maintenance.

Yes, I purchased that Python Gravel cleaner from Big Als it makes cleaning gravel and doing water changes simple.Big Thumbs up.

All my fish arent that big right now but i know a few of them get huge like the clownknife but i'm almost 100% positive i'm going to turn him into my LFS tomorrow. I've had one before and it was huge.

[somefinnfishy]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by kdblove_99
[B]I was just curious if i was overstocked also so instead of starting a whole new thread.

120 gallon

3 clown loaches
1 Shovelnose cat
1 Gar
1 red parrot
1 frontosa
1 gold nugget pleco
1 clownknife "Thinking of getting rid of him though

you have some unheathy relationships going on there
And the clowns will die if not from the preditors they will get sick if your useing feeders and clowns are almost untreatable with meds
The front will get it also someday you'll come home to find it cowering in the corner finless same with the parrot someday your cat&your gar will decide they dont like most tank mates.
Your is more of a sutability issue not a over stocking issue.

Update moved the swords out but think I can hold the rest indefinately.

[kdblove_99]

Well i get rid of the Lima shovelnose cat and the Clownknife.

[somefinnfishy]

That will help a LOT I know that tank looks empty but you cant stuff a group of preditors with friendlys for longterm then the whole feeder thing make for a tank on edge IMHO
Good excuse for a NEW TANK ;)