Understocked / Overstocked

[RajaRojoDiablo]

I find 90% of the time the crappy looking tanks have like 1 or 2 cichlids in a 4 or 6 foot tank (The exception is a breeding pair.)

No one complains about discus tanks having so many in it....why?....because they look amazing.

My suggestion to anyone asking "is my tank over stocked?"....well check your water parameters and you will find your answer, not by asking some of these "experts".

Peace!

 

[MissLauraPeach]

I find 90% of the time the crappy looking tanks have like 1 or 2 cichlids in a 4 or 6 foot tank (The exception is a breeding pair.)

No one complains about discus tanks having so many in it....why?....because they look amazing.

My suggestion to anyone asking "is my tank over stocked?"....well check your water parameters and you will find your answer, not by asking some of these "experts".

Peace!

I agree completely!!!

 

[guapoteman]

Yes your own experience should always be your first resource

 

[Aquanero]

Other than water parameters you must also take into consideration the species in question. Size as an adult, tank size, temperament of the species and more specifically the individual fish in question. Territorial needs, space requirements and general husbandry are also factors to consider. You could put 3 adult Dovii into 125 gal tank doing 50% water changes a day, checking your water parameters would tell you everything was fine. Is it? Would you think this is a suitable long term situation? Some cichlid species such as Discus prefer the company of their own species others are solitary and except for breeding season spend their lives alone.
Did someone tell you your tank was overstocked?

 

[AcsFoolMike]

Other than water parameters you must also take into consideration the species in question. Size as an adult, tank size, temperament of the species and more specifically the individual fish in question. Territorial needs, space requirements and general husbandry are also factors to consider. You could put 3 adult Dovii into 125 gal tank doing 50% water changes a day, checking your water parameters would tell you everything was fine. Is it? Would you think this is a suitable long term situation? Some cichlid species such as Discus prefer the company of their own species others are solitary and except for breeding season spend their lives alone.
Did someone tell you your tank was overstocked?

Completely agree.

 

[artes]

I agree with the OP, and Aquanero both. Are the water parameters good? Are your fish getting along? Are they happy and healthy? If yes, then enjoy your tank! If no, be prepared to make adjustments/changes/upgrades as needed. One person's overstocked tank is another person's world of happiness.

 

[Jc1119]

Completely agree.

X2. The visual display is only one factor involved in proper husbandry. Just because you can technically "fit" a certain amount of fish in a tank doesn't mean you should. Longterm health of the animal should be our primary concern here...... not how many you can pack into an infinite space.

 

[RajaRojoDiablo]

No one said I was over stocked.

There have been a lot of questions lately asking can I put "X" fish or "X amount of fish into "X" size tank.

People reply like...1 single JD is fine in a 55 gallon, or no way should you keep 3 Oscars in a 90. Well if the person is asking, then they more then likely already have these fish in the tank, it isn't a proposal.

Your points are great add ons...but some of you "experts" are failing to realize that those same 3 Oscars could potentially end up in 10 gallon tanks, 20 gallon tanks, etc...

It is why almost every mom and pop fish store has 10 Os and 10 common plecos that people dropped off, and that the mom and pop shop will never sell.

You know it is true.....so don't discourage these people...help them out with some of your knowledge and tell them if you are going to keep 3 Os in a 90 gallon, then these things are a must...water changes, good filtration, don't over feed, check water parameters, etc....

 

[AcsFoolMike]

No one said I was over stocked.

There have been a lot of questions lately asking can I put "X" fish or "X amount of fish into "X" size tank.

People reply like...1 single JD is fine in a 55 gallon, or no way should you keep 3 Oscars in a 90. Well if the person is asking, then they more then likely already have these fish in the tank, it isn't a proposal.

Your points are great add ons...but some of you "experts" are failing to realize that those same 3 Oscars could potentially end up in 10 gallon tanks, 20 gallon tanks, etc...

It is why almost every mom and pop fish store has 10 Os and 10 common plecos that people dropped off, and that the mom and pop shop will never sell.

You know it is true.....so don't discourage these people...help them out with some of your knowledge and tell them if you are going to keep 3 Os in a 90 gallon, then these things are a must...water changes, good filtration, don't over feed, check water parameters, etc....

Telling them what they can do and what they should be doing are two completely different things. Just because keeping 3 Os in a 90 is better than keeping 3 in a 55 still doesn't make it the right thing to do for the fish's long term health. Of course, you could keep the nitrates down with a large amount of water changes, but as previously stated, this is not the only thing to take into account when deciding if a certain stock is proper for a certain tank size. Will most of these people still do what they are going to do regardless? Of course, but that doesn't mean we should stop giving them the best information...can only hope that maybe it will sink in.

 

[RajaRojoDiablo]

Telling them what they can do and what they should be doing are two completely different things. Just because keeping 3 Os in a 90 is better than keeping 3 in a 55 still doesn't make it the right thing to do for the fish's long term health. Of course, you could keep the nitrates down with a large amount of water changes, but as previously stated, this is not the only thing to take into account when deciding if a certain stock is proper for a certain tank size. Will most of these people still do what they are going to do regardless? Of course, but that doesn't mean we should stop giving them the best information...can only hope that maybe it will sink in.

Like I already stated, these people aren't making a proposal...they are already in the situation.

Not everyone has the $$ to upgrade and make their mistakes right and I don't agree that your giving best information....your giving your giving your opinion and what you personally would do because:

A...you had a bad experience (your GT jumping to his death, get lids yet?)

or

B...you heard someone else say it