when do you reach your stocking limit?

rhymon78

Hey all,

Just wondering how many small tropical fish I can safely have in my 29gallon \ 110litre tank? tank measurements are around 35 inches length, 14 inches width and about 18inches depth.

fairly heavily planted, all parameters are fine.

currently housing

7 glow light tetra
7 danio
3 Pepper Cory
4 Botia kubotai

I know I am reaching/reached my limit but just wanted some thoughts on this.
thanks as always
Simon

Attached Images

IMG_0661.jpg (75.6 KB, 48 views)

fish monger

First of all, your tank looks great. I wouldn't add anything without subtracting first. The botias are taking up most of your space; however, they are very good looking fish. If you're looking for more variety, maybe switch out the schools for pairs or solitary fish. Just a thought.

rhymon78

hey cheers,

When you say the botia are taking up space, do you mean at their mature size? because they are currently only small, maybe an inch, inch and half?

Romad

This link is a good "rough estimate" guide. Keep in mind that it doesn't take live plants into consideration. When you're done entering your info., scroll down and it will tell you how compatible your fish are, your stocking percentage, and filtration capacity.

AqAdvisor - Intelligent Freshwater Tropical Fish Aquarium Stocking Calculator and Aquarium Tank/Filter Advisor

fish monger

Yes, I was talking about mature size.

Geomancer

Always stock by mature size, otherwise you'll start fine and end in disaster.

Byron

Nice aquascape Simon, good work.

Is that a standard 29g, at 30-inch length? I ask because it looks longer (I have one) but it may just be the camera angle making it look shallower (less square) than my 29g.

If this is the standard 30-inch, I would not add more fish. The danio are active swimmers and need space, and will grow. The glowlights are less active and will tend to remain among plants in the lower third of the tank.

The loach will grow, and if this is a 36-inch you're OK for a while; if it is a 30-inch, are you planning a larger tank, or have one ready? A 4-foot will be advisable by the time the loach are 3 inches. They attain 5 inches at full size. They grow somewhat slowly, at least mine do. Mine are about 3 inches now, and I had them in the 3-foot temporarily while I was rebuilding the 90g, and they were very obviously stressed out with the space. As soon as they got in the 90g, they settled in a couple days.

Byron.

rhymon78

Byron, it's a 36 inch tank, and not planning a larger tank. I didn't realise the Botia grow to 5 inches fully matured when I purchased them, I originally only got 2 but when I read they do better in groups I went and got another two!! Classic not researching the species properly before diving in!

I guess I will see how they go, possibly I can take 1 or 2 back to the store when they out grow the tank, I'd love to get another bigger tank but we just don't have the space.....

Hmmmm looks like the Botia might have to.. :( I love them thought, beautiful fish.

Cheers for the advice guys, and nice comments about my tank! It's my first one so it's nice to know I did a fairly good job.

Peace
Simon

Byron

I would leave the 4 Botia kubotai, the 3-foot is fine and as they grow within it, down the road in a couple years (I've had mine 3 years now, still around 3 inches)... who knows.

rhymon78

Yeah I will leave them for now, as They are perfectly happy at the moment.

I did notice that one of my glow lights has its mouth stuck in an open position all the time, have you or anyone else ever come across this?

There doesn't seem to be anything in its mouth, it's just constantly open. Weird.