how many is too many fish??

[mtdewlover]

I have a ten gallon tank. Currently I have two swordtails, five neon tetras, and a Chinese algae eater. Can I put more fishies in the tank or is it filled as it is? I had a betta, but it got stuck in the filter intake and died. Huge drama! :( I would love another one but I'm scared the same thing will happen again.

Thanks for your help! :)

[ChilDawg]

Your CAE will get to be wayyy too big for a 10 gal, and would pick on another Betta.

Try turning down your filter's flow rate--my Betta does not get stuck in the flow, due to its low turnover.

[RENEGADE]

yeah but how long is it going to take the CAE to get too big?! my friend has had his for about a year and it hasn't grown much at all

[ChilDawg]

They don't grow extremely quickly, but once they hit a certain size, they aren't viable algae eaters, but instead eat slime coats, fish, and other less-than-tolerable-in-a-community-aquarium items.

[TTman]

a betta doesn't just all of sudden get stuck on the filter inlet & die. it was dead long before getting stuck on the inlet. u may want to investigate why...

[somefinnfishy]

A betta is a strong swimmer and un less you have a HOB filter such as a EMP 400 or AC 500 or a large canister filter I dont think suction got him.IMHO:)

[mtdewlover]

Ok, thanks for your help on the betta thing. I don't think I'll get another one. But I would like more fish. So back to my original quesion. :) How many fish could I put in the tank? Or what could I add to the tank I have now and how many?:confused:

[OrionGirl]

I wouldn't add anything to your tank.

You have one fish that will eventaully need a bigger tank, 2 fish that may make many more fish, and the neons. Without knowing how often you change water, what kind of filtration you have, how much you feed, if you have plants, the basic definition of appropriate stocking level mucst be based on the size of the fish alone. Neons, individually, contribute little to the waste production, but with 5 of them will have a significant load. Their territory needs will be met by a 10 gallon tank, as long as there aren't any other mid-water fish. For the platies, they tend to prefer the surface areas, and can contribute a lot to a bio-load--they are some fo the heavier bodied mid size fish available. This means, that without other info, you're at an appropriate level right now.

[thom336]

i guess in a literal sense your tank isnt full until you cant squeeze any more fish in.....but as a general rule for tropical freshwater i would say no more than 2ins of fish to the gallon, but of course there are exceptions.

hope this helps.

[mtdewlover]

I change my water every week. I have an aqua clear filter, nothing fancy. And I also have two plants, I hope to get a couple more. :)

[carpguy]

Originally posted by thom336
…but as a general rule for tropical freshwater i would say no more than 2ins of fish to the gallon, but of course there are exceptions.

The really general rule of thumb is for no more than 1" of fish per gallon. As a general rule its serviceable, but there are better guides based on surface area of the water, size and metabolism of the fish, filtration, etc.

I'd say the tank is about full as is and agree that the CAE will (or should) get too big for a 10 and will get more ornery if it manages to age. My SAE (not the same fish I know, but not that far off) has doubled in size in three months. I think your friend is probably stunting his fish.

Something I read somewhere or other pointed out that our fish are at their best when kept in healthy, properly stocked conditions. More active, better color, less illness, stress, violence, etc. and that by overstocking we lose exactly what we were trying to enhance by cramming in those last few fish…

The better question is really "How many tanks is too many tanks?" :rolleyes: :D

[thom336]

1ins per gallon i have found is the initial stocking rule, once the tank is up and running for afew months stocking can be moved up to 2ins per gallon.

oh, and too many tanks are when your parents say the ceiling is caving in....lol.

[mt_marcy]

Your 10 gallon tank is already over crowded. The algae eater as with everyone else already said, will get too large for a 10 gallon. Hey, it aien't too bad, it's just an exellent excuse for you to get a bigger tank...LOL ;) As for you wanting a betta, you could either plan out a apropiate combo for one in your (future?) bigger tank or you could get a 2 gallon exporer aquarium that would be perfect for a single male betta, some plants(real or fake) and possibly one dwarf aquatic frog(not 100% on the frog thing, so plz dont take my word on it). Good Luck,
mt_marcy!

[GEV83]

If you want something that fits get rid of th CAE and get an otto. They dont get big and would probably allow you to get a betta in there just make sure hes healthy. As for the other fish mating without no real cover for the fry to hide there should be no worry of the fish overpopulating.