"Overstock" Successfully!

[John Rambo]

The purpose of this thread is not to debate if overstocking with central and south american cichlids is right or wrong, but to provide some rules and get some input to help one who chooses to overstock, do it successfully (if that is even possible at all)
I call on all overstocking masters to please provide important tips or corrections to the advice I compiled from other MFKers.

1. use a tank around 180 gallons min.
2. introduce all fish around the same time to prevent an initial territory
3. all fish must be similar in size
4. limit decorations to prevent territories and to provide space
5. No breeding pairs
6. recommend no live food to reduce aggression
7. keep temp. lower than 80s to reduce aggression
8. frequent water changes, frequent water testing, proper filtration
9. frequent feeding to prevent competition
10. add cheap fish to reduce aggression from other cichlids. Some thing cheap, fast swimming, and small.


These guidlines are probably incomplete, and do not ensure that your overstocking will be safe for all fish, but I hope they help you as much as they have helped me. I welcome all to add or change my list.

 

[graber]

I have been told different things about decorations,some saythe more decorations the more potential hidding places/territories. others saythat less decorations means no territories so less aggression. I personaly like a well decorated tank but im not not sure what would work

 

[evilxyardxgnome]

No decorations would work in an overcrowded tank.

 

[---XR---]

huge filtration is a must as well as large water changes mulitple times a week. lots of bio filtration- lot of mechanical filtration and preferably a good amount of turnover. this sould be rule #1 in my opinion.

 

[evilxyardxgnome]

huge filtration is a must as well as large water changes mulitple times a week. lots of bio filtration- lot of mechanical filtration and preferably a good amount of turnover. this sould be rule #1 in my opinion.

A very good rule at that

 

[cchhcc]

"overstocking masters"

That was a funny choice of words!

 

[Cichlaholics Anonymous]

Other than the essential life support like WC and filtration, I always found the use of frequent feedings and lower than usual temperature to be effective against aggression. That is a great list.

 

[oscarluvr]

Other than the essential life support like WC and filtration, I always found the use of frequent feedings and lower than usual temperature to be effective against aggression. That is a great list.

agreed.......

 

[Toby_H]

After my years of experience I strongly disagree with overcrowding a tank… but I’ll refrain from that debate…

Using a sump as opposed to HOB/canister will increase overall water volume of the system making water quality more manageable…

A point on décor/territories… yes not having any décor will prevent fish from “owning” a territory which means they will not feel the need to protect it… leading to less aggression… although this also leaves your fish constantly feeling out of place and without a home, which puts a constant stress on the fish. Not how I would want to live, but yes it will help reduce aggression.

 

[pwmin]

A point on décor/territories… yes not having any décor will prevent fish from “owning” a territory which means they will not feel the need to protect it… leading to less aggression… although this also leaves your fish constantly feeling out of place and without a home, which puts a constant stress on the fish. Not how I would want to live, but yes it will help reduce aggression.

I know people wouldn't want to live like that, but if you overcrowd people, it leads to MORE aggression, so I don't think using humans as an analogy to fish is a very good one (at least not for every situation). now, i don't know how fish feel (no one does), but they may feel out of place like you said, just saying we are not like fish in all situations.

I think those are some pretty good rules. I had all the fish that are in my 55g in my 20g for a while and they all did fine. some torn fins, but that's about it. they actually seem to be a little more aggressive in the 55g, but it's probably due to me increasing the temp due to ich. my biggest oscar is the only one that i can really see ich on right now. anyway, that's another topic.