Stocking Question

[swolfebme]

I have a new 20 gallon tank with 3 Platys (female only) and 4 Neons. Fish have been in the tank almost a month. I had some high Nitrite in the beginning, and had to do a lot water changes, but everything has been great the past two weeks (0 ppm Ammonia, 0 ppm Nitrite, some Nitrate).

I would like to add some Cory Cats and maybe some Otos, but don't want to overstock the tank. Would it be okay to add 4 Cory Cats and 2 Otos? Also, how long should I wait to add more fish? I was thinking of adding the Corys in a month or so, and waiting a while longer for the Otos when algae starts to appear. Appreciate any advice.

Steve

 

[jm1212]

is your tank a 20 gallon long or a 20 gallon high?

first, you should probably get two more neons to round out the school at six. then, you could put in four corydoras and then three otos

 

[RiVerfishgirl]

and waiting a while longer for the Otos when algae starts to appear.

I will tell you right now that 2 ottos can clear a 20 gallon tank of algae in about a week if there's only a small amount.
You don't want to add any until you get a good bit of algae going. They have a habit of not accepting other foods.

Whether or not you overstock depends on your filtration and the dimensions of the tank.

 

[Hound]

I think it also depends a bit on your ottos. I know the three I have also feed off the algae and tropical wafers I drop in for my cories.