20L Stocking - what do you think?

S

slidez

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Nov 20, 2007
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I just setup a 20L that currently has a full crimson male betta that seems pretty passive, and 6 tetra. Im not quite sure the limits of my tank so I thought I'd ask to see if this list would overstock it.

Currently have:
1 Male Betta
6 Neon Tetra

Would like to add:
2 Neon Tetra
3 Molly / Platy
2-3 Corys

Now I've read that mollies and platys are social fish but they get along with each other regardless of species. Ideally I'd like to have more of the mollies/platys and less corys, but Im concerned that 1-2 corys would feel lonely. This tank is stocked with various live plants I bought from petco and a decently sized ornament piece they can hide in.

Any suggestions?
 
If this is a 20 gallon long (not a 20 liter!) I would say you are fine with the betta, 8 neons, 3 platies or mollies, and 4 corries rather than just one or two.
 
Yeah this is a 20G Long, sorry to confuse. Could I mix the platies and mollies or do I have to get the same species? I would love to have both if it doesn't max out the bioload and if they would still socialize with each other.

I also have an Aquaclear 30G HOB filter, would that be sufficent enough for all the fish? I've read on here its recommended to get much larger filters instead of the recommended gallon size on the box, like a 50G filter I would suppose for my situation.
 
slidez said:
Could I mix the platies and mollies or do I have to get the same species? I would love to have both if it doesn't max out the bioload and if they would still socialize with each other.
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Mixing both is fine.
 
Well I bought a Platy Molly and a few more Neons. Looks like Ill have to exchange the platy for something else since its bullying the betta. I would have thought it was the other way around. The betta is freaking out and in the meantime I have him sitting in his initial jar when I bought him. Are platies always this aggressive?
 
It looks like they seem to be used to each other now so Ill hold off taking the Platy back.

My gf wants more mollies and platys so here is the current lineup:

9 Neons (accidentally bought an extra)
1 Molly
1 Platy
1 Betta

Now if I got 2 more platies/mollies and 3 cories, would that be really overloading it?

Do I need to keep the cories in a group of 4?
 
Cories should be kept in no less than 4. As for the mollies and platies, I'd recommend picking either one of these. I prefer platies. They are smaller and won't use up too much space with their final adult size. A recommended sex ratio of 2-3 females per male should be followed. No need to add more platies after that. These are very prolific fish. Your tetras and betta can keep the population in check.
 
I still dont get why everyone says cories do better in groups. How come when I keep ones alone I've had them live for 7years?
 
nh5 said:
I still dont get why everyone says cories do better in groups. How come when I keep ones alone I've had them live for 7years?
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Because the fishkeeping world is full of these bs notions that are only repeated because no one stops to see if they are true or untrue.

Okay I'm ranting but I guess what I'm saying is that I am always questioning the general knowledge base. It seems that every few months I uncover something that simply doesn't hold true and yet is considered "fact."

I prefer to keep my corys in groups just because I like having an army of cuteness. It's especially good for when you have chicks over - they seem to love corys more than any other people in the tank.

But can a cory do well alone? I sure think so.
 
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