5.8G tank wrong to add 1 more fish?

WakeMeUp

I set the tank up on 4 days ago and add 2 platys and a loache the day after, they all seem happy and fine except the loache he looks very lonely and isnt active at all, should it be alright to get 1 more baby loache for company?

aunt kymmie

What type of loach? He is definitely lonely. Loaches are very social creatures by nature and need a group in order to thrive. IMHO five is the minimum for a group to truly thrive in the aquarium setting, other than the Dojo loaches who are fine being solo.
The smallest loach (dwarf chain loach) in a group of five would be too much for a 5.8.
Maybe rehome the loach for some other type fish??

WakeMeUp

Hes a weather loache and he BARELY moves, is it ok if i get him 1 more would that be enough, he dosent really pay attention to the platys

nomel

You need to wait before putting more fish in. Putting this many in in this short amount of time, you're not letting your filter catch up with all the new ammonia being released into the tank. You need some time for your filter to catch up. Four days on something small like a 5.9 gallon seems waaayyy too short of time. I'd wait at least a week or two.

and...I'm not someone that will say "OMG! YOU HAVE TOO MANY FISH IN THAT TANK!" easily...I just think you need to wait...and make sure you change your water often :)

WakeMeUp

Ok thanks

aunt kymmie

The Weather Loach is a dojo loach. They are a temperate species and can grow up to nine inches long, much too large for a 5.8 gl tank. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

nomel

aunt kymmie: If only we could trim fish like plants...then we could have little bonsai fish of any species we wanted! A mini school of hammerhead sharks sounds fun.

JohnnyD44

WakeMeUp,

You have made several posts about your new tank, and whether or not to add more fish, which honestly is awesome....were glad your asking questions, but.... You have received informaiton for some of our most veteran members...Byron, Aunt Kymmie, 1077 and amongst others. These are seasoned aquarists and know more than the average bear when it comes to the hobby. We've all told you to stop buying or even entertain the idea of new fish....please please please listen to us........you need to let your tank cycle and see how it progesses.

If you are adament about buying more fish, let your tank cycle....with the species you are looking to keep you will need a bigger tank anyways. Have you thought about checking out craigslist for a bigger tank? You can usually find them very very cheap and this will allow you the possibility of more fish once you tank is established.

I do not intend to sound harsh or mean...thats not me and you can ask anyone on here....but we have all given you great advice regarding not adding more fish. Please try and be patient, letting a tank cycle is an annoying, yet rewarding process.

Be patient, and like they say "all good things come to those who wait"

Calmwaters

Very nicely worded JohnnyD.

Ramenuzumaki

i agree with calmwaters
Johnny that was really well said ;D
the note about the "bear" made me giggle because isnt there a member floating around here with bear in his name? XD