who else overstocks thier tank??

[David R]

So now we see the problem with using ambiguous terms like "big" and "barely adequate".

Saying a 12" fish is ok in an 18" wide tank is a fairly broad statement. What kind of fish is it, and how active is it? How much more growing has it got to do? What else is it being kept with, and how aggressive/territorial is it?

12" fat lazy bichir in an 18" wide tank; no worries.
School of fast active fish like 12" tinfoil barbs in an 18" wide tank; not so good.
Breeding pair of 12" mi-devils; fine.
Community of ~12" CA cichlids; pushing it.
Community of 12" CA cichlids where many still have considerable growing to do; potential time bomb.


All IMO of course....

 

[swifty]

I think a 125 is fine for a 12" fish, personally. I also think that if we're talking about "adequate", we shouldn't be keeping fish in small glass boxes. No size aquarium will ever equal a river. Just my 2 cents.


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This has always been how I've felt about the whole situation. It's like when people say 20g long tanks aren't sufficient for a 4-6" fish. Obviously you can't keep more than one, but I seen no problem with 1.

As far as overstocking, as long as the filtration is there and water changes are kept up religiously then why shouldn't the aquarist enjoy his hard work?

 

[neutrino]

Valid points on both sides of the original question from my experience--

True: You don't always know what combination may or may not work because individuals vary within a species, and scaping and what other fish they're raised with sometimes makes a difference. Other times a species is what it is and chances of getting them to be any different are low. But a combination might work in one tank that would spell disaster in another tank (or maybe most tanks).

Very true: What works when aggressive species are still small doesn't mean it works when they get some size to them. The same fish that seems like a puppy dog at 3 or 4 inches can change completely once it gains size and confidence or once sexual hormones kick in.

Bottom line is there's some stuff you can do when fish are small that may only be temporary and will need to be changed at some point. It might work long term but it's a good idea to have a backup plan you can implement immediately at the first sign of trouble and it helps to be experienced and be able to note subtle signs that trouble is brewing, since there are times you can turn off the lights in the evening and everything seems ok, but you have a dead or tattered fish by morning-- a lesson I learned more than once. Basically, you need to know when a combination has the potential to be problematic and need to be observant with your own fish.

Tank size is in the eyes of the beholder. The same 75 gal tank that seemed like a big tank after your 30 gal can seem small when you get a 6 ft. tank. Same 75 that was more than adequate for dwarf or medium cichlids gets small when you want a tankful of larger fish. The 125 that seems huge to you may seem only medium to someone with a 300. But to most people anything 125 or larger is a big tank.

 

[Fighter Fish]

I agree with the last couple posts, there are many variables that make it work or not work. In my experience it has always worked out, but I have had to use a backup tank on occasion for fish that didnt fit in. As long as you can monitor and take care of the maintence regularly then why not enjoy some extra stock. It does require more work though, more cleaning and more feeding.
I have had all the tank sizes mentioned up to a 220g. I have only done overtocking in the 125g and 220g and a 125 would work for african cichlids but for the larger CA/SA cichlids a 220g is much better mainly do to the width difference.
Lots of overfiltering and regular water changes and it can work, but there are times when a certain fish doesn't fit in and needs to go. I have 7 jags (9-12"), 1 midevil (11"), 1 geo (4"), 1 african knife (9"), 1 senegal bichir (9-10"), 1 ornate bichir (13"), 3 common plecos (8"). These have been together for over a year now (except the geo - 1 month). I even had 2 tiger oscars that were 10" and 12" in the mix too for a year and everything got along fine. The only reason I sold the oscars is that they were eating too much food and I wasn't that into them any more.
To me this is overstocking, and that can be a difference of opinion as well so really it comes down to what each individual is comfortable with and what their fish are comfortable with.
I just try to give mine the best life possible while living in my aquarium.

 

[Amphilophus88]

I hate overstocking. It drives me crazy. Too much water changes, too much fighting, and just fish swimming everywhere, it's not relaxing to watch. But that's just my opinion.

 

[cichlidfish]

I hate overstocking. It drives me crazy. Too much water changes, too much fighting, and just fish swimming everywhere, it's not relaxing to watch. But that's just my opinion.

That is why I am thinking of changing my stock. I also think there is a point when a tank is overstocked and way overstocked to the point it pushes ethical fish keeping.


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[ragin_cajun]

I'm with ya man. I have a 125 with a festae, red devil, Midas, parrot, two cons, two flowerhorns, a feather fin syn., an eclipse cat, a Pleco, two dempsies, a fenestratus, four Texas red head hybrids, a rainbow cichlid, a firemouth, two black belts, and two synsiplums. I just another tank for when they get huge.

Dude. That's 24 fish.

 

[CichlidsOnly]

Even if you keep the water clean, and everyone looks good, overstocking creates a certain level of stress. Every fish but #1 is constantly looking over their shoulder, even if you don't see it. No "real" peace or compatibility. jmho

 

[Jay88]

Mate..that jag will go bonzo the day he gets bigger...

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[Pole]

now there is overstocking, and there is OVER stocking.Over stocking is good in moderation, however not to the point of ten cichlids in a 125 gal.i say around four cichlids around 12 inch would be fair, maybe stretch it to 5. that is overstocking, and OVER stocking is squeezing in a LOT of cichlids like the op has done, and at a young size, whilst using the same excuse"overstocking spreads the aggression"