Fluval Spec V - 5 gallon adding more fish

[Nano_Legend]

Hello everybody-

I currently have 5 Japanese trapdoor snails, 1 endler, 2 cory cats, and 2 black widow tetras in a 5 gallon Fluval Spec V. How many more fish and shrimp can I comfortably add to this tank?

 

[authmal]

I'm a big fan of being able to add 0 fish.

 

[Nano_Legend]

So are you saying the Fluval Spec V is overstocked? Is there a scenario where I could move some of the fish and snails to a 2.6 gallon Fluval Spec III to make everything work?

 

[Nano_Legend]

I think I might move three of the snails and the endler to the Fluval Spec III and add a couple fancy guppies.

 

[authmal]

Look at it this way. The endler is fine by itself. The cories and black widow (black phantom, whatever) tetras are schooling fish, and need schools of a half dozen or so before they feel comfortable. There's really only so much you can do with a tank that size, and you've pretty much got it full.

 

[myswtsins]

Well trapdoor snail are suggested to be stocked 1 per 10 gallons because they get large and have high bioloads. So if they are real trapdoors that is a issue in itself as well as what auhmal said.

These size tanks are intended for shrimp or Bettas mostly.

 

[authmal]

I know nothing about trapdoor snails, so tried to not misinform regarding them. I know my limitations :grinyes:

The Specs are nice tanks, but very low water volumes leave you very little room for flexibility.

 

[ZivaD]

Look at it this way. The endler is fine by itself. The cories and black widow (black phantom, whatever) tetras are schooling fish, and need schools of a half dozen or so before they feel comfortable. There's really only so much you can do with a tank that size, and you've pretty much got it full.

Agreed - the tetras and cories both need a larger tank where they can be kept in the appropriate numbers.

 

[myswtsins]

I know nothing about trapdoor snails, so tried to not misinform regarding them. I know my limitations :grinyes:

And that is why we all work together, teamwork! You'll only see me answering questions in the general, african cichlid and planted tank forums because that's where my experience is, everywhere else I am the one asking questions or at least observing and keeping my mouth shut!

 

[Nano_Legend]

It sounds like I may need to eventually move almost everything to a bigger tank. Maybe Fluval will come out with a bigger Spec tank pretty soon. One of the Japanese trapdoor snails is the size of a golf ball. The other four are very small.

I also added twenty raw rocks tonight (labradorite and hematite (iron oxide) to the aquarium and an Anubias plant. The tank also has amazing Amazon frogbit and a piece of driftwood attached to a piece of slate. The substrate is black Petco sand.