Overstocking

[Mariah]

Ok, I'm not trying to be rude or anything, but it seems to me that just about everything is said to be overstocking. Someone told me once that a betta and 3 otocincluses in a 5g tank would be overstocking. I don't think that would be overstocking, especially since the otos would eat algae and don't even swim very much.

Okay here's what I've got that I'm keeping:
5g- 2 dwarf platies, 1 male betta, and a gold mystery snail.
10g- 3 bleeding heart tetras, 1 otocinclus, 1 plecostomus (max. size about 5 in.), 1 panda cory. I also have a moneywort plant, and I'm going to get 2 more otos and 2 more cories.
Would you consider either of these aquariums to be overstocked?

Thankz 4 reading,
Mariah

[Fishboy93]

Originally Posted by Mariah

Ok, I'm not trying to be rude or anything, but it seems to me that just about everything is said to be overstocking. Someone told me once that a betta and 3 otocincluses in a 5g tank would be overstocking. I don't think that would be overstocking, especially since the otos would eat algae and don't even swim very much.

Okay here's what I've got that I'm keeping:
5g- 2 dwarf platies, 1 male betta, and a gold mystery snail.
10g- 3 bleeding heart tetras, 1 otocinclus, 1 plecostomus (max. size about 5 in.), 1 panda cory. I also have a moneywort plant, and I'm going to get 2 more otos and 2 more cories.
Would you consider either of these aquariums to be overstocked?

Thankz 4 reading,
Mariah

The reason a 5g tank with three otos is bad is because they will starve as there is not enough algae to eat.. Swimming doesnt mean its overstocked its feeding/pooping of fish.

Your Tanks:
5g- sounds alright
10g- Lose the plecos as they are big poopers and even at the 5 in that is still to big.. I would have:
4 Panda Corys as they like to be in groups
1 oto or maybe 2 depending on your algae
3-4 Bleeding Heart Tetras

[Fishfirst]

exactly... starvation can mean your overstocked. Now the betta and 4 white clouds would be perfect for a five gallon. Your stock list sounds okay, except for your 10 gallon with the pleco...

[Fishy Lee]

Overstocking is a way to fight aggression with cichlid tanks...as long as you have heavy filtration and are good about your water changes.

[kristian18f]

Overstocking is not always bad, like the others said, make sure you do enough water changes and keep the gavel clean.

If you do intend to keep a pleco in your 10 gallon, make sure to provide it with algae wafers/squash/zuccuni/ sinking shrim pelets, in addition to the algae it gets from the tank.

[sambi7878]

Everyone is correct! A good point said by fishboy93. As what Ive read from some posts here that as long as you do enough water change and try to keep a good quality of water, overstocking will be managed accordingly. Overstocking for me is not only starvation and the waste. It should also go hand in hand with fish compatibility and as long as the fish feels "at home". IMO, if you are taking care of cichlids or goldfish, it will be proper to stick on the tank rules on stocking...lol!

About your tank, I agree with everyone saying about the pleco on the 10 gal tank.

[TheOldSalt]

Overstocking is fine if you have electricity and instant access to plenty of good water & time for maintenance, but what happens when you don't?
Sometimes you won't.
It's no fun to watch your pets die when things beyond your control happen.
When properly stocked, the fish can do just fine when something goes wrong, and they'll have better lives in the meantime.