Small Planted Tank

[batzy.mp3]

Hello! I am mainly doing this post to make sure i’m not messing up on anything, I have been keeping fish for a few years now but still get worried. I am living in a dorm right now and have a 7 gallon tank. I have a baby honey gourami (that i have a bigger, upgraded tank for him to move into once im out of the dorm in august) and 2 guppies and 3 rasboras? i know this seems like a lot, but the amonia and nitrate and nitrite have yet to get unstable or rise. I also had like 6 shrimp but since there is now 3 or 2. I think they died molting so it might be the hard water? but i didn’t know if 1. i had too many fish 2. i should/could get more shrimp. I will also add that before i did my recent water change and changing the hardscape, the guppies would pick on the rasboras. since I added more hiding places, they all come and stare at me peacefully and never chase or nip at each other anymore. Are they actually doing better or am I crazy? Also, one of the gourami’s eyes is smaller than the other! it’s been like that since before i got him and i don’t think it’s a sickness or anything, but is there anything I should be worried about? Thank you for any advice

 

[Aiken Drum]

From a bioload POV, I'd say you are full. Presuming you have a suitably sized filter you could manage water parameters with a weekly water change in the 30 to 50% range.

From a space POV, it depends. What are the dimensions of the aquariums. If its a bookshelf type 7g aquarium, thats long and narrow, I'd say thats going to be doable. If its more of a cube shape (say 12" wide, long and high), that doesn't provide a lot of swimming space, particularly for the gourami and rasboras. Doable, but less ideal.

My concerns would be firstly the rasboras, they would do better with a few more of them in the group, which would push you into overstocked. And secondly the guppies, unless they are both male expect babies. Even 2 females, if they have ever been with a male they are likely already pregnant.

Regarding the shrimp deaths, and your thoughts it might be down to water hardness, what are your water parameters? In my experience (im not really a shrimp guy), if the water is good for shrimp, as long as you have a male and female they will breed. But get a few more and see how they go.

As for the fishes behavior changing after the re-scaping, its likely that the additional hiding spaces created an environment that breaks up lines of sight and enables the fish to better find their own space and calm everything down.

Regarding the gouramis eye, can you post a clear photo. If its a long term thing, doesn't look infected etc its probably not something to worry about. Clean water will be of most benefit. So again, what are your water parameters, in numbers?

 

[batzy.mp3]

From a bioload POV, I'd say you are full. Presuming you have a suitably sized filter you could manage water parameters with a weekly water change in the 30 to 50% range.

From a space POV, it depends. What are the dimensions of the aquariums. If its a bookshelf type 7g aquarium, thats long and narrow, I'd say thats going to be doable. If its more of a cube shape (say 12" wide, long and high), that doesn't provide a lot of swimming space, particularly for the gourami and rasboras. Doable, but less ideal.

My concerns would be firstly the rasboras, they would do better with a few more of them in the group, which would push you into overstocked. And secondly the guppies, unless they are both male expect babies. Even 2 females, if they have ever been with a male they are likely already pregnant.

Regarding the shrimp deaths, and your thoughts it might be down to water hardness, what are your water parameters? In my experience (im not really a shrimp guy), if the water is good for shrimp, as long as you have a male and female they will breed. But get a few more and see how they go.

As for the fishes behavior changing after the re-scaping, its likely that the additional hiding spaces created an environment that breaks up lines of sight and enables the fish to better find their own space and calm everything down.

Regarding the gouramis eye, can you post a clear photo. If its a long term thing, doesn't look infected etc its probably not something to worry about. Clean water will be of most benefit. So again, what are your water parameters, in numbers?

It is a long and narrow tank so I’m glad that’s good! I thought it would be better for them to swim that way. My upgraded tank for the gourami is a cube one though, should i consider something else for that tank?? for the guppies, i am very sure they are both male. The rasboras i’m not sure though, would they breed or no? Two of them have been doing the dance lol so I’ve been hesitant. I am not the right now so i can’t give you the exact parameters but i know the ammonia was 0 and everything else was in the perfect/good condition from what i know? thanks for the reassurance! I can reply once i get there if you want but this helped a lot, thanks!!