Stocking a 29 gallon...

[crickit99]

Hello,

I have run into an issue as I bought 4 puffers and I don't have a tank for them...
I have time, so I am debating on buying a 40 gallon for them, or thinking of putting them in my 55 gallon, and moving those fish out.

I would have 6 swordtails (2m/4f), and a pair of platies. I would like to put some bottom feeders in with them, so a school of cories as well.
That just seems overstocked to me, what do you think?

I'm thinking I should just go ahead and get the 40 for the puffers...I'm just going to have to wait longer to get the tank set up.

Christina

 

[poppab02]

What type of puffers are they?

Once we know that we can help give info

 

[crickit99]

I'm not concerned with the Puffers, they won't fit in the 29 gallon. I just want to know if the others will....

But they are South American Puffers, 4 of them. I want them in a tank at least 36" wide. I'm either using my existing 55, or buying a new tank for them.

 

[poppab02]

Hmm...
I'm guessing the 6 swordtails are around 3.5" and the platies around 2.5" and then you plan on adding 3-4 cories. Well, in a 29 I would say it's crowded but probably do-able. Especially since the cories won't be using the same water space as any of the other fish. If it were me, I would probably try it rather than spend the money on a new tank.

I would say that whether or not you buy a new tank I would use the 55 gallon tank for the puffers. The more space they have the more interesting their behavior becomes. I used to keep my dwarf puffer in a 10 gallon but since everyone in that tank moved to the 29 gallon(it's former inhabitants moved to a 55 gallon) he has become infinitely more interesting.

 

[crickit99]

I think I am going to just buy a 50 gallon (36"x18"x17") for the puffers. It is actually going to be about the same price as the 29 gallon would cost me locally, I'm just having to drive a few hours to get it.