i think overstocking problems like pleco in a 20g is usually from lazyness or being misinformed by the "expert" in the fish department of whatever fish store the purchase is being made.

However, overstocking, letsay, cardinal tetras, has an aesthetic appeal and, at least from what i see, commonly done for that exact purpose. Lots of cardinals in a tank is a lot of fun to watch. It is sometimes ok to overstock slightly and use increased filtration, WCs, and plants to offset the additional bioload. It would not harm the fish as long as the water is clean.

Overstocking allows tanks to seem more lively and attract more attention. The problem is that most do not know, or care to learn, about how bioloads affect water chemistry and whats needed to keep the water clean as the number of fish increase.

many times, people are informed of the 1inch per gallon rule, which would make a foot long pleco totally ok for 20g, but, as we all, hopefully, know, plecos are waste machines and produce far more bioload than the average fish the 1" per gallon rule is designed for.

As for the cycle, it is the same problem as what i mentioned above. Misinformed consumers or lazy consumers dont feel the need to do their own homework other than ask a few questions and assume what they hear is correct.

Additionally, fishkeeping is often misunderstood as a "simple" hobby, where you put fish into water, add a filter, and everything is all peachy.

 

Additionally, fishkeeping is often misunderstood as a "simple" hobby, where you put fish into water, add a filter, and everything is all peachy.

Yeah, everyone thinks it is so easy because they had a goldfish from the county fair for a few weeks as a kid.



Really the reason people overstock is because they want a lot of different fish but don't have the space for them, even people that are informed differently often ignore advice until their tank crashes and fish start dying. The other reason would be buying fish without realizing how big they get. I like my LFS store, they always ask how big your tank is or what is in it, then explain to people why those adorable clown loaches will not work in their 20 gallon tank.

My main issues are tiger barbs, plecos, and exotic fish. Chances are you don't have the right tank mates for tiger barbs, you don't have a big enough tank for a pleco, and if a fish is exotic chances are it is hard to take care of, sensitive, aggressive, and/or needs special care.


It's a beautiful hobby that has allowed me to appreciate nature much more than I had previously but it has such an ugly side with betta bowls, instant cycle products, misinformation, bad breeding, dyes and large fish that need ridiculously large tanks. People who get into the hobby need to know that we are taking these fish into our home, it is our resposibility to create the best environment possible for them, that includes RESEARCHING. They are not a pretty painting there simply for your enjoyment.

 

it looks cool. everyone has different opinions on stocking too. Both my main tanks are starting to become overstocked IMO. I know a number of people would of considered them overstocked long ago.
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Well being overstocked is fine as long as the water conditions are kept in good shape. Also, one thing that people sometimes do are keeping big fish in small tanks and do not have space to grow comfortably and get stunted. THis is a different type of overstocking that is far more serious than having too many barbs in a tank. Lots of people have the misconception that fish wont outgrow a tank. Whenever i hear people say that i wanna ask em if its ok if i stuffed them (the person) into a small box and let them live there for the rest of their lives.

 

hey sinbad...myob.

 

Well I guess it falls on someone to make the pointless post;-)

 

I've always overstocked my tanks, and like it's been said by others, this is fine as long as your water quality remains uncompromised. Lots of filtration. Lots of W/C. Live plants. I have a lot of live plants in my tank. The fish love them. I love lots of fish because it's more food for my plants. I like to overstock because i like lots of schooling fish. I love my cardinal tetras and rasbora espei, the schools look beautiful.

Misinformation or no information is what is the main cause of newbies failures IMO.

 

But is it really overstocked if water quality and fish remain well....? This is kind where stocking bothers me, at what point does a tank go from stocked to overstocked? We have vague guidelines, but they barely come to what I consider proper stocking. There are so many variables to stocking and it is so subjective to the individual.

 

I think thats a very valid point mikaila. Personally, i use a modified version of the rule 1" per gallon, but instead of actual inches of fish i research the fish and assign a measurement in terms of how much bioload they bring to the tank, ie, my pristellas are all 1.75inches but if i were to get a pleco, it would be 24" instead of 12" and shrimp are counted as .5" instead of 1". It is not perfect, but its worked well for me, haven't had to excessively change my water to keep it clean. This is how i usually judge other people's tanks. I do apply reasoning that isnt as simple as does not fit my sizing stock style when i judge though.

 

Yeah I have never really laid out my rules in any manner that makes half as much sense as that lol. But I couldn't tell you whats my exact stocking is in all my tanks if I wanted too. I do know that I don't count shrimps at all, cuz I'm not going to keep tabs on shrimp numbers. Fish are hard enough =/

 

Goldfish

putting goldfish in a .5 gallon bowl seems to be very common

 

The problem with overstocking is that many novices take it to mean something it does not. Too many new comers hear that if they overstock a tank aggressive fish it will make everything okay. Later on they are wondering why the 15-20 Mbunas they have in a 40g are fighting all the time, or why their fish died. Personally I think the term is overused, especially on fish that everyone "overstocks." If everyone suggests overstocking Mbunas should we really be calling it overstocking still? I personally don't think it is still overstocking at that point, you are just creating the best environment for the fish.


I think the biggest issue in the hobby is LFSs that are more worried about making a sale then turning someone into a regular customer. I always tell people to go to a LFS who will care if they come back if they want good advice, and then double check that advice.

 

Yep, I'm overstocked in every tank I keep. Probably the biggest reason is that there are just so many fish that I like that I want them all! I maintain heavy filtration, lots of plants and large weekly water changes. To me the most important thing to remember when overstocking is to consider the needs of the fish. I would never keep an overstocked tank of all bottom feeders, or all mid level swimmers. My tanks may be overstocked by the convential "rule of thumb" but the requirements of the fish are met. My 75 gl, while overstocked, doesn't "look" overstocked, if that makes sense.

 

@ Aunt Kymmie. I know exactly what you mean. Stocking the different levels i.e. top, middle, bottom. The tank looks full of life everywhere, and everyone still has their space. I think it's always smart to be aware of where different species prefer to swim. I think that's an area that gets overlooked when discussing stocking issues.

 

I'm new to fishkeeping so I do a lot of reading and am prepared to accept that I'm wrong, but here's what I think.

To me, there are 2 aspects. One is the water quality and you can deal with that by having plants, changing your water often or a lot, having extra filters. The other is the type of fish you've got. I could probably put lots more of the fish I've got in and things would be ok, because my fish are "nice" fish. If you try to shove in "too many" fish who are territorial or aggressive, all hell would break loose. Too many aggressive fish and insufficient means of maintaining water quality and you've got both a bloodbath and sick fish. As a beginner, it is easier just not to put "too many" fish in at all but after you've learnt a bit and know what you are doing, you can decide what you want to do.

Also, something that I've learnt from getting my fish that I didn't really appreciate before. I looked at the fish in the shops and thought that that's the size of those fish. But the fish you buy are smaller than they'll be after you've had them at home for a while. It's obvious - fish grow - but it wasn't obvious to me. I looked at the platies and didn't really understand why people were saying that they weren't suited to my small tank. I look at my whopping great fish now and I've started telling other people that I don't think they should choose them for their small tank. You don't realize how much your fish have grown until you buy some additional fish and see how little they are compared to your existing ones. When you are starting out, it is helpful to have someone who is judging the numbers of fish you should buy based on the big fish they'll end up being, not the little fish you'll initially buy.

 

I'm new to fishkeeping so I do a lot of reading and am prepared to accept that I'm wrong, but here's what I think.

To me, there are 2 aspects. One is the water quality and you can deal with that by having plants, changing your water often or a lot, having extra filters. The other is the type of fish you've got. I could probably put lots more of the fish I've got in and things would be ok, because my fish are "nice" fish. If you try to shove in "too many" fish who are territorial or aggressive, all hell would break loose. Too many aggressive fish and insufficient means of maintaining water quality and you've got both a bloodbath and sick fish. As a beginner, it is easier just not to put "too many" fish in at all but after you've learnt a bit and know what you are doing, you can decide what you want to do.

Also, something that I've learnt from getting my fish that I didn't really appreciate before. I looked at the fish in the shops and thought that that's the size of those fish. But the fish you buy are smaller than they'll be after you've had them at home for a while. It's obvious - fish grow - but it wasn't obvious to me. I looked at the platies and didn't really understand why people were saying that they weren't suited to my small tank. I look at my whopping great fish now and I've started telling other people that I don't think they should choose them for their small tank. You don't realize how much your fish have grown until you buy some additional fish and see how little they are compared to your existing ones. When you are starting out, it is helpful to have someone who is judging the numbers of fish you should buy based on the big fish they'll end up being, not the little fish you'll initially buy.

+one, Someone here,or on another forum once asked,, "In your opinion, what is the most unusual fish you have seen in aquarium's"
My response was Adult Sailfin mollie's ,,for few can appreciate just how large these fish can get with proper care.Another member here , (Dawn)just yesterday,,commented on Sailfin mollies reaching four ,maybe five inches ,and I concur.(I think that's what she said).
I have seen them at close to five inches, too large for tanks under thirty gallons in my view.
Add to this the aggressive nature of numerous males in small quarter's,and this is why they don't belong in tanks smaller than 25 to 30 gal.
Adult Oscars could also be added in my view, Few specimens ever reach the size they are capable of due to lack of understanding, lack of research before purchasing,poor fish store advice, poor diets,poor maint,or all of the above.(apply's to all species)
Most all of the fish we see offered for sale in fish stores ,are juvenile fish.They don't stay small for long with proper care ,nor do they last long in poor crowded conditions.

 

Just looking for opinions about what the appeal might be to overstock.

So many fish, so few tanks

 

I see overstocking as a calculated risk - emphasis on the calculated. Some fish it works with, others it doesn't. My tanks are overstocked - but I know what I am doing in regards to the fish I keep. Research, research and research some more. A lot has to do with the aquascaping, too. That seems to be one area which is too often ignored. My South American tank is full of plants of various sizes, driftwood in chunks and branches, pebbles scattered around - and my sev, acara and angels love it. They are a bit crowded atm, until my new 150gal arrives, but there is no aggression or stress that I have seen. Not saying that I'm an expert - far from it! But I have learned from experience, and to be honest, if you observe your fish enough and really pay attention, you can almost get into their heads! lol

So perhaps there are just some of us who like to push the boundaries as far as stocking our tanks. But like I said, it's a calculated risk that very few should attempt. Definitely not for those new to fishkeeping. And the sooner there are regulations on our wonderful hobby, the better. Fish are no different to dogs, cats or birds - they are living creatures who deserve more than most people give them.
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I have had fish for over 20 years and I am definitely guilty of just about every fish keeping sin there is. Why? Because I am human and have been told many, many different things from many 'experts' over the years.

It hasn't been until recently that I have actually found a 'qualified' Aquariust whom I 100% trust is giving me the correct information. Having said that, things are not always smooth sailing. I am currently having Nitrate issues and problems with me Angels. How could this be when I have chewed the ear off my 'qualified' advisor?

Simple......these are living, breathing creatures and although there are 'general rules' these are certainly not set in stone. As individual creatures they are not ALL going to behave the same as the next. Just as each human is unique, so are our much loved aquatic friends.

I believe that with stricter employment requirements of those who wish to work in the lfs, these wonderful helpful websites more people will have a better chance of keeping this much loved hobby going with less fish fatalities and happier fish and hobbyists alike.

Despite the best advice from many 'professional, passionate aquariusts', this forum and other research into fish behaviour there are still bound to be issues however, more knowledge is always more power and if that helps even 1 single fish live in ultimate happiness, it is worth it.

Surely that has to be the exact same aim we all have.....To have the perfect tank with the perfect balance of everything.

JMHO