Adding more black skirt tetras.

[Mojo3251]

So about 4 days ago I got 5 black skirts, and they are all doing great!! They eat well and everything! I wanted to get more.. But I don't know how many more? And I was also wondering if they would all school together if I add them at different times?

Thank you!!

P.S. I have a 20 gallon.. With only a pleco and the 5 black skirts..

 

[CharlieKlein]

You could add 7if its the only fish you want! But id really not add any more and get 4 Cory's and a dearf gourami or gbr

 

[Rivercats]

Are they the only fish in the tank? A 20g is not that big and I would put no more the 6 total as skirt grow to a decent size. After that you only have alittle room left to stock anything else.

 

[Mojo3251]

They are the only fish I have and I want.. And charlie, are you saying I could add 7 more than I already have now? Or are you saying I could add two more than I already have?

 

[CharlieKlein]

Well I ment 7 more, for 12 total, but if you have a 20 tall I'd do 10 max. Start by adding 2 at a time, and if it seems like they are showing signs of stress stop there

 

[Rivercats]

Well I ment 7 more, for 12 total, but if you have a 20 tall I'd do 10 max. Start by adding 2 at a time, and if it seems like they are showing signs of stress stop there

12 adult black skirt tetras are too many for a 20g tank. I've been in the hobby for over 30 years and have kept skirts often and in a 20g tank if they are the only fish then 8 is the max you should keep. They can get very large for a tetra as they age.

 

[CharlieKlein]

I guess I've never had skirts. I didn't know they were the larger species, but if it is so, get 8

 

[Mojo3251]

When I add the three more will they all school together still?

 

[Rivercats]

When I add the three more will they all school together still?

Yes because they are the same species. Now remember if they are the only type/species they will likely school loosely. Schooling fish tend to school tightly when other larger fish that they precieve as threat. So when no threat is present in a tank they will be more relaxed and thus school loosely.

 

[Scottyhorse]

Also a pleco is going to get much too large for the 20, depending on what type it is.

 

[Mojo3251]

I don't know what kind of pleco it is.. But I have a 55 and a 110 I can upgrade him to once he gets big enough.. And if out grows that which I doubt he will, my uncle has a big huge pond I can put him in..