Overstocking?

[ConnorCaldwell]

I'm trading my angelfish for some fancy tailed guppies and I'm not sure how many to get without over stocking. He said I could take as many as I want but I was thinking 6 at the most. They will be with 2 neon tetras. 2 sunset mollies and a red swordtail, they are all smaller sized fish. The tank is ten gallons. How many guppies should I get or should I just give him the angel fish? Thanks

 

[BBradbury]

Stocking a 10 G

I'm trading my angelfish for some fancy tailed guppies and I'm not sure how many to get without over stocking. He said I could take as many as I want but I was thinking 6 at the most. They will be with 2 neon tetras. 2 sunset mollies and a red swordtail, they are all smaller sized fish. The tank is ten gallons. How many guppies should I get or should I just give him the angel fish? Thanks

Hello Connor...

Your present stock is enough. Livebearing fish, like Mollies and Swordtails need their own tank because they prefer water with a bit of salt. They're fast breeders and will overpopulate a small tank in a short time. I would make arrangements for expansion and pretty soon. Also, invest in some floating plants in the new tank. Livebearers are most comfortable in tanks with a lot of plants. I would recommend a 38 gallon tank minimum. A 55 G is even better.
Then, you can go get your Guppies.

B

 

[Tommy10]

The other thing is neon tetras need to be in schools of 5+

 

[ConnorCaldwell]

Yes I've taken that into consideration. That's what I was going to get before this guppy deal came up. Should I restock entirely? Maybe 3 guppies and 5 neons?

 

[NYgiantsRP]

You could do 5 guppies and 8 neons if the mollies and sword are gone. If you keep the mollies and sword i would just get 5 more neons. But you would want to change 60-70% everyweek.

 

[ConnorCaldwell]

You could do 5 guppies and 8 neons if the mollies and sword are gone. If you keep the mollies and sword i would just get 5 more neons. But you would want to change 60-70% everyweek.

Why would that be? Out of curiosity

 

[ConnorCaldwell]

And they are actually sunset platys. Not sunset mollies, my mistake

 

[NYgiantsRP]

Well, the 5 guppies, and 8 neons only if you found a new home for the mollies and sword becuase: with all of them it would be WAY overstocked. If you keep the mollies and sword and add neons: you should do large weekly water changes becuase you will have a high bioload. I was trying to advise your current situtation instead of suggesting getting a bigger tank for the mollies and sword. But if you have the resources and room, the mollies and sword would do much better in a 30g.

 

[NYgiantsRP]

Ok, well platties have a smaller bioload then mollies, becuase mollies get bigger. But my suggestions stay the same.

 

[ConnorCaldwell]

Ok thanks a lot. I really do like the platys, if I found a home for the swordtail and had the 2 platys, 5 of each guppies and neons. Would that be ok? Or would it be best to find a new home for them? Sorry if I'm being stubborn by the way haha

 

[NYgiantsRP]

Ya it should. But you should test the water after 5 days, an then everyday after until it get over 20ppm nitrites, and then do a 50% change. Then you know that is your water change schedule.

 

[ConnorCaldwell]

Ok thanks again I will let you know how things go in a week or so