Stocking issues for my 20 gallon

[flyjawn]

so i've read the 1 inch per gallon rule and then i've read all the opposing issues...

i don't want to overstock my tank but I would like some variety in the fish I keep.

My tank is 20 Gallons, planted.

Right now I have 2 Bolivian Rams and 3 Corys. I'm considering a few red pencilfish because they'll occupy the top of the tank and possibly a few red/blue tetras.

Is this too much. It's definitely over the inch per gallon rule because I don't want to keep single fish, I'd rather keep at least 3 of each.

Comments?

 

[jbarr]

I think you should be fine. Neon tetras I'm assuming?
What kind of cories?

 

[JustOneMore20]

If the tank is a 20g high tank, I'd stick to just one school and have 6-8. Schooling fish (pencils and tetras) like to have groups and not just trios. I'd go with the Pencilfish, assuming they don't get larger than 2-3 inches. Then you could add 3 more cories and since the rams and cories will occupy the bottom, the Pencils would be a good addition for the top.

So you are looking at:
2 Bolivians
6 Cories (of the same type)
6-8 Pencilfish

That is a good stocking for a 20g high tank. If its a 20 long, you could probably get away with the second school.

 

[flyjawn]

thanks for the advice.

the tetras will be red and blue tetras from colombia (although i might consider neons) and the pencil fish would be coral red's.

my tank is a 20 high... i was thinking that the pencil's will occupy the top, and the tetra's will be in the middle.

and my cory's are peppered.