DianaWolls

Ok for startes i guess i"m not realy a total newbie. I have salt water reef, and a Koi pond. BUT I decided to set up my 20H as a freshwater communty tank. Now I've had community tanks in the past (way past) I've had oscars, and cichlads. But anyway to get to my question. I got the tank set up and planted and cycled, it's pretty heavily planted so there is lot of green and natural colored gravel. I want fish that add a lot of color and movement. So far I have a pair of platties, & mollies, 6 neons, an austrailian rainbow, a long finned barb. You can't even tell I have anything anyone have any ideas what I should add?

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore!! got pics? love to see the tank

capekate

Hello Diana and welcome to fishlore!
Not sure if adding more fish will end up overstocking your tank.. but I noticed that you only had one rainbow in there. They really are a social fish that needs more of its own kind in the tank. If you added another or two, again not sure how overstocked it would end up making your tank, but you would see how happy they interact if you did. Maybe you can return the barb to make more room? Since the barbs do need to be in a group as well. But IMO the rainbows get along so peacefully with all the others that it would be my choice.
~ kate
EDIT: after adding up the adult size of your fish that you have now, you are indeed overstocked in that tank. I cannot really suggest more fish at this time, unless you brought back a few.

lilsoccakid

first i would check how stocked the tank is. add up the sizes of all the fish when FULLY GROWN. add the total inches up. the standered rule is 1 inch of fish per gallon of water

good luck, and have fun!

COBettaCouple

Welcome to Fishlore. Sounds like you've gotten the advice that I'd second.

angelfish220

the barb would need to school as well. I would have as follows...

4 platies- 2 inches each -8 inches

6 neons - 1.5 inches each- 9 inches

1 dwarf gourami- 3 inches each- 3 inches

and that equals exaclly 20!

the reasoning; I put 2 pairs of platies instead of molly and platy is platys stay smaller and the 2 differnet pairs can be different ( all four can be different as long as you dont want to bread for strains)
I used a dwarf gourami because ( IMO) they have just as bright colors as a rainbow and they dont need to have others around.

DianaWolls

Thanks everyone for the input, I guess I didn't really think about the neons getting up to 1-1/2. I don't think i've ever seen them full grown. I realize I'm a little over stocked but I'm really good at doing my water changes and I have a huge filtration system so I really think i'm ok. I'll watch my water really close and if I see a problem...well I guess I'll just have to start up my 10 gal...oh darn! lol

sirdarksol

welcome to Fishlore.
There's usually nothing wrong with being a little overstocked, especially when you're dealing with smaller fish like neons.
The 1" per gallon is a guideline, at best (some members just call it laziness), and it doesn't cover extremely large, extremely small, or oddly shaped fish.

susitna-flower

WELCOME TO FISHLORE!

Capekate gave you good advice. I love my rainbows, and feel if you cut the variety by getting rid of the barb, your tank can be beautiful and interesting without overcrowding. Good Luck......