Stocking level 109%??

[ManicPenguin]

In my 20 gal I have:
2, small cory cats
4, guppies
6 mollies

AqAdvisor says I am overstocked, but LFS says I can add more guppies if I want to.

Is AqAdvisor overly conservative on stocking levels? Is the LFS just trying to sell more fish?


I know there are several Cory cats, LFS said mine are a small variety.

 

[jtez]

A bit of both, however in my experience mollies can make a tank highly stocked real quick.

Do you know how many males and females you have of both the mollies and the guppies?

Also could you post a picture of your cories? We might be able to help identify them. Cories are pretty much all small, with pygmies being a bit smaller.

 

[ManicPenguin]

I'll put up pictures this evening (EST time)

I have 2 each male and female guppies...LFS only sells by the pair.
I have 5 female mollies and 1 male
No idea the sex of the Cory cats.

 

[ManicPenguin]

Cory cats and guppies came from LFS. Mollies from Petsmart $0.80 sale.

I asked for 2 male mollies but the clerk miss-sexed and I only got 1 male.

 

[jtez]

I'll put up pictures this evening (EST time)

No idea when that'll be but I check back here pretty often. It's 1am here in Australia though

If you do choose to add more guppies I'd try to add 2 more females. I've heard a ratio of 2f:1m works best for them.

I'd swap you a male for a female if it were possible, I have 2 males and they're a pain with chasing each other around haha.

Personally though, with 6 mollies, I'd say aqadvisor has it right and you're slightly overstocked. Cories would be the only thing I'd consider adding, I love them and wouldn't be satisfied with such a small school! Does your tank not look busy with so many livebearers?

What are your water parameters and how often/how big do you do water changes? Is it planted?

 

[BBradbury]

Your Tank Stocking Level

In my 20 gal I have:
2, small cory cats
4, guppies
6 mollies

AqAdvisor says I am overstocked, but LFS says I can add more guppies if I want to.

Is AqAdvisor overly conservative on stocking levels? Is the LFS just trying to sell more fish?


I know there are several Cory cats, LFS said mine are a small variety.

Hello Manic...

The Livebearers you have are fast breeders in good conditions. I wouldn't add any more fish and make plans for a much larger tank. I'd go in for a 55 G. In the mean time, large weekly water changes are in order and a bit of standard aquarium salt, especially for the Mollies.

B

 

[flitabout]

I think there are a lot of us that do slight over stocking. According to aqadvisor I am at 118%. I change 50% of my water weekly, have a heavily planted tank and my fish are happy and healthy. But I work from home and if needed I will do water changes in the middle of the week.
But I wouldn't do guppies and mollies together as they can breed together and you will be hard pressed to find an LFS that will be willing to take the hybrid babies.

 

[Mattyfelts]

You have to consider that guppies and mollies are live bearers. They both produce high bioloads (especially mollies) and that is why you are over stocked. I wouldnt add more.

 

[Rivercats]

The reason your overstocked is because many types of Mollies can reach 5 inches with an incredibly high bio-load. I'd return at least 2 or 3 female mollies and then maybe you can add a guppy or two. Plus as already mentioned mollies and guppies can interbreed which is not a good thing as hybrid offspring are not usually wanted. With so many livebearers your tank is going to be over run with fry in no time. I have one tank that I only stock male Endlers (another type of livebearer) which gives me a lot of color without having to worry about being over run with fry.

 

[ren_hao]

Are your guppies all males?
And yes, the overstock result is likely to be due to the mollies which may grow to a pretty large size

 

[ManicPenguin]

I have 2 male guppies and 2 female guppies....one female might be sick. :-(