What should I do?

[STARS Survivor]

Okay, here's the deal. I have a ten gallon tank with the following fish:
3 guppies (1 male, 2 female)
3 Hatchetfish
3 ghost shrimp
2 corydoras

I was thinking of getting some o-cats, but I wasn't sure if I had too many fish in there as it is, or if getting more fish would put me over the limit. I could get rid of some of the fish I suppose, mainly the guppies because I got them when I first started the tank, but I'd rather not. Also, the corys seem fine, but I know they are social fish and perhaps would like another friend? And if I were to get o-cats, I'd get a pair because I've read that they prefer to be with others of their species.

Also, this may be a stupid question, but should I count the ghost shrimp when seeing how many fish I can keep in there?

 

[dbzguy]

Sorry, not really responding to the post, just glad to see someone else made it out of racoon city

 

[Harlock]

I would say even without the guppies you are pretty well stocked. What type of cories do you have currently? Are you buying otos because you have a little algae? Also, yes, ghost shrimp count on the bio-load bu usually not as much as a fish. I would say 3 ghost shrimp would equal about 1 small fish in your setup.

 

[STARS Survivor]

I beleive they are julii corys. Yes, I've noticed a slight green on the glass, and I thought perhaps it was time to get some o-cats. I wanted some when I first got my tank, but I heard they aren't very hardy and have a tendancy to die quickly, so I waited. When/if I get some, should I give them some algae wafers from time to time? About the corys, they have a tendancy to just sit together on the bottom, swaying back and forth for a while...does that mean they're unhappy or is that normal behaivor? They scavenge around from time to time, too, but they seem to be resting a little more often.

So it would be unwise to get more fish? Sorry about all the questions, I'm just curious and appreciate getting my answers from other people rather than various websites.

 

[Harlock]

Algae problems are easier to deal with by looking into the root of the problem, rather than adding more fish, which in turn adds more food for the algae, causing it to get worse. I would say it would be unwise to get more fish. When you look to the adult sizes of your current stock, your tank is very full.

As for the Cory behavior, yes, sometimes they will sit on bottom and rest in groups. Keep an eye on them, they should defeinitely come out when you feed and for some time thereafter. They just like to rest now and again.

On to the algae thing. Make sure your tank is getting no direct sunlight. Test your water and make sure ammonia, nitreites and nitrates are acceptable. Determine if you are overfeeding. Fish can do well on a surprisingly small amount of food. Only give them what they can eat in 30 seconds about twice a day. Do 50% water changes and gravel vacs once a week to keep the pollution down in the tank and not give algae a chance to get a foothold. I hope that helps.

 

[STARS Survivor]

Thanks for your help. But I wasn't looking for more fish to solve my problem, I merely meant that I waited for my aquarium to become established and then grow some algae so the o-cats would have something to eat. But you're saying even if I get rid of my guppies, there would still be too many fish to get two o-cats?

Also, with two corys, how many shrimp pellets should I give them a day? I've been giving them two in the morning, that's all. That enough?

 

[Harlock]

Thanks for your help. But I wasn't looking for more fish to solve my problem, I merely meant that I waited for my aquarium to become established and then grow some algae so the o-cats would have something to eat. But you're saying even if I get rid of my guppies, there would still be too many fish to get two o-cats?

Also, with two corys, how many shrimp pellets should I give them a day? I've been giving them two in the morning, that's all. That enough?

Cories will eat flake food off o the bottom as well, so if you are feeding any flaakes, they may be eating that as well. I am not familiar with shrimp pellets, having never used them, so I cuold not say with certainty how many is enough or too much. And yes, I am saying in my opinion even if you lost the guppies your tank is well stocked with 3 hatchets and 2 cories. This is based upon the adult sizes which these fish can attain. Hatchetfish can grow to around 2 and a half inches and cory julii can get to around 2 inches each. So, I'm not saying it's too many fish, but too much fish to add more to that mix in a ten gallon.