Being Overstocked~

[Oddball~]

I feel like putting 4 kuhli loaches into a 10 gallon tank, I say 4 because I don't want them to be lonely. Could I keep an overstocked tank like this as long as I constantly monitor the parameters and do frequent 50% water changes?

What if I add a gourami, like one that grows to 4-5"? I really want this, and I could easily keep up with the changes.

 

[knashash]

Im sure you can keep the water clean by doing frequent 50% changes...the main issue is will the fish have adequet swimming space? And it doesnt sound like they will although it will probobly be ok for a while until they grow.

 

[Oddball~]

Well, Kuhli's grow to a nice 3 inches and are bottoms dwellers, the gourami, well its a ctenopoma. It'll grow to 5-6 inches from my research...

So, inch-for-gallon I'm calculating 17 ipg... However, the ctenopoma is a lethargic plant-hiding-ambush predator, so it doesn't swim very much at all, if only to strike at food.

So, here's territory as only paint.exe can put it!

As you can see, they shouldn't have contact with each other, and I didn't even put all the plants that would be in there to hide in and etc.

 

[cohazard]

Lol, I love that paint rendering of the tank layout. I honestly think it should be alright. You're very knowledgeable when it comes to the caretaking of brackish tanks, so I know you'll be fine with a slightly overstocked 10, emphasis on slightly . Kuhlis like tight hiding spaces anyways right?

I have 2 overstocked 10s*, but I haven't lost any fish due to the fact.


HTH,
Serg

*I don't recommend keeping tanks overstocked long, mine are only temporarily overstocked until I figure out where to move other fish.

 

[Oddball~]

I see, I see. Thanks on the compliment, BTW. But I think I'll go for this idea. It's nice being a risk-taker!