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I have a 36 litre tank(8 uk gallons) an AquaClear filter, heater and 1 air pump.
My tank has cycled.

I have:
2 guppies(MALE)
1 platy(don't know what gender)
2 bristle nose catfish(don't know what gender)

I was thinking of adding:
2 more guppies
1 more platy
2 lace gouramis

Would that be too many fish?

Last edited by labrakitty at 12-Nov-2004 15:43

I would say you can, by measurement, but don't think the guoramis would be happy, though they would probably fit. I would say to go with everything but the gouramis. As for the BNs the males will develope a large set of growths/extensions on it head, these will resemble some kind of plant looking thing. The females will just get a few little nubs around their front mouth area. The males will start to show this at about 2-3 inches. After you add the new fish, be sure to keep up your water changes, of about 20% per week, as you will be maxing out your bio-load with those fish.

HTH.....

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There is always a bigger fish...

Actually, I wouldn't add anything else right now. Those bristlenose catfish will grow too large for that tank, as they reach at least four inches. Also, they produce tons of waste, which is bad for your bioload. I'd move those two first, before adding other fish.

Once you move the BNs, you can add a few more fish. The lace gouramis also get too large, so I'd scrap them. Instead, you could add four or five more guppies (I'm being conservative here), three platies, or two guppies and a platy. Just be sure you move those catfish first!

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Last edited by sirbooks at 12-Nov-2004 16:02

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

That's 10 us gallons. I would say yes. That sounds like a very cramped tank for me. The gouramis would probably dislike the lack of swimming room and may end up fighting. Not to mention any fry that survive. The bristlenose I think you mean a pleco which get 5" and add quite a bit to the bioload. I would only add 1 gourami and be done. With the gouramis and plecos you have 2 types of fish that if not given enough room may not get along with their own species. I think it's pretty well stocked as is although the plecos aren't very active so they don't use as much space. Adding 1 large top swimming center piece fish would probably balance the tank out.

I also think you are a bit over loaded but that is you choice. Those fish will be ok until they start to get bigger and put more pressure on your tank. The old saying think twice act once.

Keith

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What species of BN is it?

The gouramis, as stated, are a bit much. Everything else is fine, although you may need to find a larger tank for your loricariid buddies.

I'd say, get rid of one of the Bristlenoses and you would be okay.

Guppies proliferate. If you are thinking of adding females, you will need a backup plan for all those "baaay-bees". Also, the Gouramis probably wouldn't be happy. I wouldn't add too much more (if any) to your existing set-up.

"I have:
2 guppies(MALE)
1 platy(don't know what gender)
2 bristle nose catfish(don't know what gender)

I was thinking of adding:
2 more guppies
1 more platy
2 lace gouramis

[font color="#800080"]Ok, first of all, your tank is 10 USG, the 2 bristlenose catfish are too much for a 10g. You could probably get away with keeping 1 BN, if you do lots of water changes.
Now, you could add 2 more male guppies and 1 more platy. You can identify gender in male platys because they have a fin that points backward underneath their belly. Compare to the guppies- if the fins the same male, if not female.

As for the Pearl/Lace Gouramis...ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!
They get like 5-6 Inches you know. Very Large Fish. I wouldnt reccomend putting a Pearl Gourami in a tank less than 33g, and preferably 55g.
They need lots of swimming space.
Im surprised that people are jumping so much at removing the BN and not thinking about the fact that Pearl Gouramis get MUCH larger than a BN and IME produce just as much waste as the BN if not more.
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largest lace gourami ever recorded was 4.7 inches long. In the home aquaria, you'd be hard pressed to find one over 4.5" in length, which is about the same as a BN.

Yeah, I've had my pearl gouramis for two years now, and they are still only like 3" long standard length. Granted, they are females, but they are still nowhere near 6", and I haven't seen any males close to that size, either.

If I'm not mistaken, Trichogaster leeri is the smallest species in the genus and is perfect for a 20 gallon tank or larger (I wouldn't put them in a 10).

Last edited by Cory Addict at 13-Nov-2004 01:24

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I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

Hmmm. . . All my breeding BNs (1 fm + 1 male = 2) are all in 10 gal tanks, with other fish. And they spawn about every 3 weeks. The BNs don't need a lot of room, as they are not active swimmers. Two are just fine in a 10 gal. Just make sure you feed them as well, as they may run out of algae, between the two of them. As for the guppies, and other fish, I have over 100 guppies in a couple of 10 gal tanks, though many are still fry, they are there. As I stated before, I cant see the gouramis being happy in there, as I do breed mine 20 gal tanks. If you really want some gouramis, try some croakers, they stay really small.

I still say, everything will be just fine with the fish you have and those you are wanting to add, except the gouramis.

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There is always a bigger fish...

i half agree with acid rain
cause bn arent very active
but they put a lot of pressure on the bioload

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''All the clown fish and yellow tangs in the world cant save you now!''

I would your fine with what you have the BN may get to big though. I believe the rule is 12 square inches of water for every inch of fish.

I have decided:
4 guppies
2 bristle nose(they are ancistrus)
4 platys(2 fry they bred)