Inch a gallon rule always true?

tetras_rock

Registered Member
Jul 7, 2006
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If i had two Dwarf gourami in a 10 gallon tank how many neon tetras could i have like i would just think 6 coz an inch a tetra and two inches each Dwarf gourami but i read that neon tetras were an exception to the inch a gallon rule is that true or would it just be 6?
 
Ipg Rule applies to very little. it's an outdated practice. However.. I would add no more then 4 NT's If your tank paramiters are stable.
 
tetras_rock said:
i read that neon tetras were an exception to the inch a gallon rule is that true or would it just be 6?

not only neon tetras. the inch per gallon rule doesnt apply to a lot of fish other than neon tetras
 
Not so much a rule, as a general guideline. It is meant to be backed up with common sense and lots of research about the needs of various species.
 
IMO you could easily keep 6 neons with the gouramis.
 
i prefer to understock my tanks just because I believe it helps in the overall health and comfort of my fish... but with that being said...

I believe you can stock a tank higher then the rule, like others have said its more of a guideline. In fact, I think the most important things to keep in mind if you want to go a little higher is basic common sense stuff. Check water chemisty more often, frequent water changes with gravel siphoning, extreme care to not overfeed, decorate tank to have hiding spots, etc. If you do those things, I wouldn't see much of a problem especially because you want to add small neons. If you were talking cichlids or something of that nature, my answer would have been totally different.

Just be smart if you add more fish then the norm. I heard this once: You are a keeper of the water, the fish are just along for the ride.

55 Gallon:
2 Large Silver Dollars
1 Convict
1 Tiger Pleco

10 Gallon:
3 Dwarf Puffers
2 Ghost Shrimp
 
I had two dwarf gouramis and 6 h&t tetras in my 10 gallon. After a while, it felt like Grand Central Station!!!! So I put the tetras in another, larger tank with some other fish. But it may just be a matter of preference. :huh:
 
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