JaneAustenAddict

I have a 29g tank with 5 scissortail rasboras, 3 mollys, and 1 cory cat. I want to get 2 more cory cats for the tank, but according to the aqadvisor link the tank will be overstocked. I realize the scissortails can grow to 3-5" a piece, but they are very slender and do not have much of a bioload.

Would adding two more cory cats be okay? I feel bad for Jeeves

Lucy

I'm not very good with stocking suggestions.

That's a tough one. I tend to under stock my tanks.
I'd kind of lean towards yes because the cories occupy the bottom regions of your tank.
You'd have to keep a close eye on your water parameters and step up the water changes.
There's no guarantee that the 2 new cories will schoal with Jeeves.
I know it's said they do better in 3's but I have 2 and they're inseparable.
I wonder how pygmy cories would get along with him? They won't add much to the bio load.

Wait and see what others have to say.

iloveengl

I think you'll be okay. I overstock my tanks (according to bioload, not swim room) because I have gups and mollies, but I do large (30-50%) partial water changes every saturday and params are perfect. Jeeves needs some buddies and they'll stay mainly on the bottom.

...And you never know... you may run across a 40-55g on craigslist. You can't help but catch MTS once you join FishLore!

Angela_96

Im going to throw this one out there, based on recent experience:
I have 7 fish tanks that I was doing twice a week waterchanges on (overstocked with malawi cichlids) they are heavily filtered btw. Well, I did this for 2 y ears. Now I have a huge curve ball, 2 kids in school and a 2 month old + working full time now. I have very little time for housecleaning, etc let a lone get to do my frequent waterchanges. I have beat myself up for 3 months now because of that. I am doing every two week waterchanges, and I feel horrible for my fish!
Next 2 day span I am off work I am planning to do a really aggressive cleaning on all of my tanks, and filter systems.

I just wouldn't set a tank up planning to do extra waterchanges, because anything can happen and your ablities to keep up with that might go away. The only reason I haven't sold my tanks is because I know in Jan my husband is quiting his 2nd job and we will have more spare time. So I am making sure they are getting the bare min.

iloveengl

Great point, Angela! We do need to keep in mind our jobs and/or family obligations. Also something to consider is if you go on vacations; a fish-sitter probably isn't going to want to do a water change for you if you're gone during a water change period.

Since your tank is newly cycled, maybe wait a week or two until you get a feel for your water params after the fish have been doing their thing all week. That way you'll know whether you'll need to change water twice weekly or just add another bucketfull to the once/week water change.

aquarist48

Hello JaneAA. I agree with Ilovee. Give your tank another week or two to build up more good bacteria. I think you would be fine with adding a couple of more Cory Cats. As Lucy mentioned, although they may like to be kept in groups they will do fine on their own. I've just recently added more Cory Cats (Cory Julli's)to my tank. I've had 1 Common Cory by himself for over 5 years. Mine do not school together very often.
Best of luck!
Ken

JaneAustenAddict

My 29g tank was established in October 2008, not October 2009... The one in 2009 is by 10g betta Tank...

I just didn't know about Cory Cats being schooling fish until I joined the forum and wanted to give him some buddies.

Shawnie

I dont think 2 more cories would hurt that tank a bit but as always, keeping an eye on water parimeters is good for all tanks

EDIT: just saw your tank info though.. running since 08 but just got 0 ammonia yesterday? if thats the case, the 2 weeks that members suggested is best before adding anything else

JaneAustenAddict

No, that was just when I did my last test. I suppose I can change it if it is confusing... I was just trying to provide as much information as possible.

I changed it in my profile. So sorry to have confused everyone!

And thanks for so many responses!

bolivianbaby

I agree that you can add a few more corycats. If you can, also add another filter. That'll provide more room for the bacteria to grow and decrease the chances of a mini-cycle in a high-stock aquarium.

Hope that helps!