Hi all,

I have a 70L planted tank with 6 red eye tetra, 2 bristlenose catfish (small), 9 neon tetra and 2 mountain minnows.

I am looking to add a couple of slightly larger fish with different behaviour and different body shapes to the tank as the last things to add to my little community - does anyone have any recommendations? I have a fluval 1+ and 2+ filter in the tank.

We've had Kribs before and love these but worry about them with the neons. We've had male dwarf gourami before, but we don't do very well with them. I was thinking ruby sharks, angels (grow too big for the tank?), clown loach or kribs again (not good with the catfish and or smaller fish?), Rams?

Any suggestions based on your own experienes would be very welcome.

Thanks in advance
Doors

Hi there!
I think your tank is pretty much stocked, even with good filteration, your water quality will be fine but there won't be enough room for fish to swim.

There're total 19 fish in a 70l Tank, which is already over stock and bristlenose catfish will soon grow very big, if you want to keep more fish and keep your fish healthy. you should consider getting a bigger tank

All your suggestions apart from the Kribs and Dwarf Gourami grow too big for your tank. I wouldn't keep Kribs in a community tank this small either as once they start breeding they will kill most of your other stock. To be honest I think you are already seriously overstocked at the moment.

In a mature tank the maximum amount of fish can be estimated based on roughly 1cm per litre. Deducting a reasonable amount for space taken up by gravel and decor menas you have around 64 litres of water = 64 cms of fish.

You already have:

6 red eye tetra @ 7cms each = 42cms (these really need at least a 3ft tank)
2 bristlenose catfish @ 12.5cms each = 25cms
9 neon tetra @ 4cms each = 36cms
2 mountain minnows @ 4cms each = 8cms (these are not tropical and should be in a temperate tank below 22C)

That's 111cms so you are extremely overstocked and I would advise against adding any more fish at all.

Thanks for your advice - I won't be adding to the tank.

Can i ask, those sizes quoted for the fish, i assume they're full grown sizes?

Adult fish sizes are always quoted when working out stocking so that you are not putting fish in too small a tank. This stunts their growth and is bad for their health.