FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I'm thinking about setting up a 55-gallon tank in my home office.

Stocking densities have never been my specialty. (They involve math.) Would it be overstocked with the following:

-- five pearl gouramis
-- 10 platies (the jumbo-sized ones)
-- 6 corys

I like to stay slightly understocked to give myself a margin of error.

Thanks!

The number and size of the fish you mention should be fine. However, to really be on the safe side, you could take out 2-4 of the platies, since they are jumbo sized.

---

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

LMuha

A lot would also depend on the filtration you use and how often and how much you do at a water change.

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Why do you want the jumbo platies specifically? Just wondering.

You could save yourself some money and buy 3 platies, 2f and 1m. Then you would eventually have more. My tank is pretty well planted but my other fish have managed to handle some population control, so I end up with 2-3 more each month.

Also, wouldn't that many gouramis in a 55 end up being a little aggressive? I've only got one in my 55 and it's very bad about chasing other fish. And 5 fish that big (~5 in) and vying for the same surface area might cause some issues.

Last question-what kind of cory are you thinking about? Again, just wondering on that one.

-Beth

the best thing to do is jsut do one inch of fish per gallon its easy to calculate n keeps you relatively on the safe side

I already have three of the jumbo-sized platies, and they had some babies, now in a grow-out tank; I'm trying to figure out where to put them all so I can reclaim that tank.

I also already have 3 pearls. I bought them a year ago thinking I was getting one male and two females, but one of the "females" grew up to be a male, and he spends all day hiding from the dominant male. I'm hoping more space and a couple more females will make everyone happier. No one's hurting anyone else, but I feel bad for the smaller male, who never comes out of hiding except to eat (which he loves to do.)

Last rationale on the pearls and platies: They look absolutely great together -- right now I have the three pearls and a few of the platies in a 30 gallon with lots of plants and bogwood that stains the water a light brown, and it's my favorite tank; everyone comments on how gorgeous it looks ... which it does, if I do say so myself!


As for cories -- that's just because I've been wanting some and have no room in my other tanks. Haven't figured out what kind yet, though it has to be one that can handle our pH, which is 8.0.

FYI, I do 25 percent weekly water changes, and on my other 55 gallon, I have two biowheels -- an Emporer 400 and a Penguin 330. I'd probably do the same on the new one.