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Hello all, this is my first post and hope I can get an answer. I have a 29g freshwater tank and have 12 fish: 3 black skirt tetras, 3 serpae tetras, and 6 tiger barbs. Everything looks fine as far as water chem. and fish look healthy as well. Is my tank overstocked yet? The last fish I would want to get are 3 x-ray tetras. Is this possible? Like one quote I just finished reading (sorry i don't know where i found it but). "fish are like patato chips, you can't have just one"......Thank for you help guys.

No its not overstocked, the shoal sizes are a bit small to be healthy, but theyre all small species and to some extent it depends on several factors, not only surface area oxgenation, but the level bioload and level of filtration you have, and if your filter is a tiny internal your options are limited.

I'd increase the size of the existing shoals a little rather than going for another species.Shoals are usually to considered to start at 6 specimens of each species.It makes an immense difference to the fish's psychological and behavioural health. I know a lot of people go for the "pick'n mix" approach, but its far better for the fish to give the shoaling species the numbers they deserve to be happy. Perhaps just increase the numbers of the skirts and serpaes.

Yea, I was thinking about bumping up the skirts and serpaes, but i heard somewhere that 3 would be a good number to have. I do feel as though they do need a couple of more freinds to hang with. But what would be considered to be an overstocked tank in my case. Can i get three more of each and still be on the safe side. This would raise my count to 18 fish.

I do have an external filter (whisper 30), I think I do have the correct filter for the tank. Actually it was all in a kit: heater, hood, light etc...

Another thing to point out, I have Nitrites=0, Nitrates=0, ph at about 7.5 and my Ammonia is about .75. I'm using AmmoLoc. My question is, is it ok to have a .75....i heard that Ammoloc does not take away the Ammonia, but it changes the waters chemestry making the Ammonia less toxic.(something like that). I need to keep using the Ammoloc cause my tap water has traces of Ammonia (Bummer). Water changes are done once a week. 10 percent water change. Thanks people.

I think that 18 fish would probably be about the limit for that size of tank. What I'd be worried about is the tiger barbs in there with those tetras, black phantoms kinda have big fins and the serpaes would probably nip right back at the barbs. Someone else can probably better advise you on that though.

TGARCIA34,

How long has your tank been setup? Those numbers seem off to me. I'm not an expert, but your numbers sound like a new tank setup. You are right about the Ammoloc, it doesn't get rid of the ammonia but just makes it safer for your fish. It will also effect your ammonia results though, since it doesn't rid your tank of the ammonia. I'm sure others on here can give you some better answers also.

tiger barbs are less nippy if kept in schools and that is what you are doing Keeping lessthan 6 would probaly increase their aggressiveness towards other species. however, I do agree with increasing the serpae and black skirt tetra instead of adding another species. Something different: what about algae eaters??

First of all, thank you very much guys for your responses. I'll probalby go by next week to my LFS and get 3 serpaes and 3 black skirt (my last fish to buy). And yes, the tigers are behaving themselvs, I've watched them for an hour or two straight and they seem to keep to themselves (picking on each other instead of others). Every so often I check em out to see how they are dong, all ok.

Now catdancer, you mentioned algae eaters, is there some special care for these creatures? I heard about needing to feed them wafers, do I need to get the wafers or are they bottom feeder (don't really know about that). I don't have an algae problem now, but I think I know where you are going with this. How many would you suggest I get? Remember I will be having 18 fish all together once I get my last 6 fish. Thanks again guys

there are wafers available as well as frozen food that comes as neat little cubes, contains spirulina, spinach, some vitamins and of course, there is your own vegetable supply like lettuce, lightly boiled zucchini, etc. Oto cats are delightful little fish and they really help to keep algae at bay. They also do not add much to the biolad. With that in mind it would nevertheless probably worthwhile to consider the addition of 3 otos instead of 3 tetras IMHO. One day you will look into your tank and see some greenish fuzziness and plants start to furry up ... happens to all of us sooner than later.

But these are my ideas! Take a look at some of the excellent planted aquaria logs in this forum, they show plenty of pics and there is a load of info about these kritters! Have fun with your tank and keep us posted!