How many fish in different tank sizes?

SuBXeRo

SuBXeRo

TaNkAsAuRaUs REX
Jul 22, 2008
533
0
16
39
NJ and AZ
Assuming that i get atleast a 36 gallon tank, how many neon/xray tetras and mickey mouse platies could i fot. I know they like to school so i would want to try and get aminimum of 5 to a school. I am trying to do a small fish size tank, no biggie fish.

Isnt a general rul of thumb an inch of fish per gallon?
 
Its the general rule I guess you'd say, but that includes the length width and height of the fish (Neon tetra, 1 in long, .5 in wide, .2 in tall.) so about 2 inches per tetra.

But the inch rule doesn't really work, you need to look at the habits of the fish, and what the particular fish requires. Look up the fish on google and see what its needs are.

-- Or just ask us? : ]

Neons are schooling fish, and with that, you can get WAY more than just 5. I think I'd say around 20ish. Possibly more. Wait until someone experienced helps you out.

20 probably fits easily withing the limit of your tank.
 
Last edited:
The 1 inch per gallon explained:

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88431

I'd say you could do more than 20 in a 36G. I have 13 in my 20G and they still seem lonely :D I'd say just start with a small school and gradually add to it until it seems right. Plus that way you don't overload the the BB and cause any problems.

Good luck :thumbsup:
 
The inch per gallon has too many flaws to be relied on. For a 36g bowfront, try 20 neons or lemon tetras. Platies tend to breed a lot so you need to do something with the fry. Your tetras may be able to eat them quickly though. Sex ratio for livebearers is 2-3 females per male.
 
I had platys in with tetras. Not a single fry ever lived - period. I'd see a few crop up in the rocks, tiny little fry, and in less than a day, no fry. They are fish snacks depending on your tetras.. I don't think you'll have too much problem with breeding depending on what you do.. if by chance a few make it to grow up, most lfs will take in any excess you don't want.
 
You can certainly do all males with platies. If you go all male, you could do 12 neons, 12 pristella (x-ray tetras) and then 3-4 platies... Then you could probably do 5 cories for the bottom, or a bunch of different shrimp (4 amano, 4 cherry, 4 ghost) That would be a nice looking tank.

Me personally I like the huge group of one kind of tetra, it is really nice when they all go at once, so I would agree with rich that 24 neons would look better!

Also, I would make sure that you have two ac 30's for filtration, or something equivelant.
 
2 dozen neons would look beautiful... and I adore platys. This would be such a pretty tank. Neons are soo colorful.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom