Under stocked vs over stocked...
- Thread starter ecoli73
- Start date
I think when it comes to communal,shoaling type fish like Tropheus and others,overstocking depends on the tank size and amount of space you can provide for them.
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I like a happy medium. Don't like overstocking cause it's a big mess, but don't like under stocking cause I think it's boring. ( Depending on fish)
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I think its best to try and give the fish a chance to thrive,not just exist.agree with the africans overstock to reduce aggression.other fish can be stressed by constant defense and no territory,but just don't show the stress outwardly with health issues
from cel
from cel
Hello; I have understocked my tanks for a decade or so now. I have had overstocked many times in the past. Overstocked tanks can be managed but it is a pain.
My basic criteria for stocking a tank of late is roughly based on a level that will allow the fish to last for many days of no electricity without my having to do much of anything. I have found that power outage tends to focus my attention on things other than my tanks during floods, severe storms and such.
Those that lost fish during peroids of extended power outages may understand this point of view.
My basic criteria for stocking a tank of late is roughly based on a level that will allow the fish to last for many days of no electricity without my having to do much of anything. I have found that power outage tends to focus my attention on things other than my tanks during floods, severe storms and such.
Those that lost fish during peroids of extended power outages may understand this point of view.
haha, This debate reminds me of the question, "how long is a piece of string." This could go on forever...
In regards to overstocking or understocking, I think unless we have a concrete example, it's tough to say.
Perhaps I was a little too hard on all of the "old school" guys and I shouldn't have painted with should broad strokes...I was looking (and disgusted with) one old member's threads in particular who was bragging about how he couldn't wait until his fish was so large that it struggled to turn around in his tank. He had Arapaima and Pangasius (among many other fish) in a 120G with no intentions of upgrading. There was a group of members that encouraged him and anyone who questioned long term plans was shouted down and told to shut up.
This is the paradigm shift I am referring to...the site has seemed to have moved away from a vocal majority of bullies who shouted down and drowned out anyone who questioned someone's long term plans for huge growing fish, to what we see more often today...people asking questions as to what a persons long term plans are for Arapaima, Pangasius, RTC or any other of the true monsters in the hobby. I agree that flaming does no good, but I don't see anything wrong with asking questions....in the past, (generally) anyone asking questions was basically told to shut up.
I am happy to see this change...in my opinion, this is what taking it to the next level is all about...providing adequate space, pristine water, a healthy diet and appropriate tankmates so that your fish don't just survive but thrive...that to me is monsterfishkeeping.
In regards to overstocking or understocking, I think unless we have a concrete example, it's tough to say.
Perhaps I was a little too hard on all of the "old school" guys and I shouldn't have painted with should broad strokes...I was looking (and disgusted with) one old member's threads in particular who was bragging about how he couldn't wait until his fish was so large that it struggled to turn around in his tank. He had Arapaima and Pangasius (among many other fish) in a 120G with no intentions of upgrading. There was a group of members that encouraged him and anyone who questioned long term plans was shouted down and told to shut up.
This is the paradigm shift I am referring to...the site has seemed to have moved away from a vocal majority of bullies who shouted down and drowned out anyone who questioned someone's long term plans for huge growing fish, to what we see more often today...people asking questions as to what a persons long term plans are for Arapaima, Pangasius, RTC or any other of the true monsters in the hobby. I agree that flaming does no good, but I don't see anything wrong with asking questions....in the past, (generally) anyone asking questions was basically told to shut up.
I am happy to see this change...in my opinion, this is what taking it to the next level is all about...providing adequate space, pristine water, a healthy diet and appropriate tankmates so that your fish don't just survive but thrive...that to me is monsterfishkeeping.
I've personally always preferred under-stocked aquascaped tanks...
Just seeing as many fish crammed into a glass box as possible for the sakes of being able to do so, or for bragging rights to show off how many fish a person can keep always irked me...
I know we cant ask a fish how they feel being in a crowded tank, but considering in nature fish are rarely that crowded, i prefer the lightly stocked tank approach myself...
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Just seeing as many fish crammed into a glass box as possible for the sakes of being able to do so, or for bragging rights to show off how many fish a person can keep always irked me...
I know we cant ask a fish how they feel being in a crowded tank, but considering in nature fish are rarely that crowded, i prefer the lightly stocked tank approach myself...
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only overstocked the feeder tank.... and i still shouldnt do that. gotta love clean tidy tanks with happy fish. wont get that over stocking.
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My preference is to under stock and I actually like the way the tank looks that way. I've always purposely under stocked. It also drives me nuts to see fish so crammed together that they are 'seemingly' having trouble navigating the water column. I've never moved past this point in some habitats that cry out for over crowding to reduce targeted aggression.
Also, over crowding 'tends' (or 'seems to me' at least) to have remedies that I prefer to avoid like no substrate, 50% WC weekly (or more), constant rearrangement of the habitat, seeking to remove partially grown pets, etc.
Under stocking's plus side is:
1) allows me to make mistakes or have temporary problems occur (e.g., power outages) with reduced chances of losing the fish I've worked years to grow. I have had power outages that lasted days and one for a full week. If my tanks had been over crowded it would have been disastrous.
2) allows me to more easily track individual fish eating habits and behaviors
3) gives me more flexibility in my habitat design
4) gives me more flexibility if I later need/want to change something in my design
5) gives me a better chance of growing out all my fish to the maximum size I want without removing some, adding filtration, changing tanks, etc.
6) gives me a chance to raise some reasonably personable animals that under excellent conditions can survive a long time
7) provides better opportunities for my fish to have much less stress and thus for me to have much less stress
Over stocking's plus side is:
1) I can keep adding fish to my tank and not worry about making the 'right choices' when I stock up the tank
2) I can start off with a lot more fish and maybe see some species that I will like
3) I can see some behaviors that I might not see (hyper aggression, breeding, etc.)
4) I can have a tank that looks more full and more active
I of course am not discounting the value of over stocking (anymore than shoaling) when those species warrant it. However, on a general level, and taking that into account, my preference remains to under stock.
Also, over crowding 'tends' (or 'seems to me' at least) to have remedies that I prefer to avoid like no substrate, 50% WC weekly (or more), constant rearrangement of the habitat, seeking to remove partially grown pets, etc.
Under stocking's plus side is:
1) allows me to make mistakes or have temporary problems occur (e.g., power outages) with reduced chances of losing the fish I've worked years to grow. I have had power outages that lasted days and one for a full week. If my tanks had been over crowded it would have been disastrous.
2) allows me to more easily track individual fish eating habits and behaviors
3) gives me more flexibility in my habitat design
4) gives me more flexibility if I later need/want to change something in my design
5) gives me a better chance of growing out all my fish to the maximum size I want without removing some, adding filtration, changing tanks, etc.
6) gives me a chance to raise some reasonably personable animals that under excellent conditions can survive a long time
7) provides better opportunities for my fish to have much less stress and thus for me to have much less stress
Over stocking's plus side is:
1) I can keep adding fish to my tank and not worry about making the 'right choices' when I stock up the tank
2) I can start off with a lot more fish and maybe see some species that I will like
3) I can see some behaviors that I might not see (hyper aggression, breeding, etc.)
4) I can have a tank that looks more full and more active
I of course am not discounting the value of over stocking (anymore than shoaling) when those species warrant it. However, on a general level, and taking that into account, my preference remains to under stock.
