Can I Keep A Silver Hatchetfish And Silver Dollars In Small Amounts?

Here is the situation. I made a fatal mistake. I took out my old filters with all of the nitrifying bacteria and it caused the ammonia/nitrite levels in my fish tank to spike to extremely dangerous levels. I eventually fixed it with water changing enough times and using some medication. After that was said and done here is what I am left with in a 36 gallon tank.

1 Pictus Catfish
1 Angelfish
1 Silver Hatchetfish
2 Silver Dollars
3 Otocinclus

My plan is to add 3-4 Silver Hatchetfish, 3 Silver Dollars. Does that sound good? The problem is that Silver Dollars and Silver Hatchetfish are schooling fish and there are barely any in the tank. I hate for them to die or be stressed out. If you have any suggestions please comment. I could really use your help!

 

Definitely do not add more Silver Dollars! In fact I highly recommend that you take back the ones you already have. They should be kept in groups and each fish gets huge! A 36 gallon is nowhere near big enough.

 

Welcome to Fishlore!

Both pictus and silver dollars should be in a larger tank in groups. Please do not keep fish in smaller groups simply because your tank isn't big enough.

Hatchetfish are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of 6+ of their own species.

Keeping fish that belong in groups in small groups or singly is very stressful to them, and may result in increased susceptibility to disease or a shortened lifespan.

Additionally, you have other stocking issues if you'd like to discuss them. We can help you stock your tank appropriately, if you're interested.

 

Welcome to Fishlore!

Both pictus and silver dollars should be in a larger tank in groups. Please do not keep fish in smaller groups simply because your tank isn't big enough.

Hatchetfish are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of 6+ of their own species.

Keeping fish that belong in groups in small groups or singly is very stressful to them, and may result in increased susceptibility to disease or a shortened lifespan.

Additionally, you have other stocking issues if you'd like to discuss them. We can help you stock your tank appropriately, if you're interested.

I would love for you to tell me anyyhing you can. I have only one year of experience.

 

Sure, happy to help!

I would rehome the silver dollars and the pictus cat for sure, as they need a larger tank.

Otos should be in larger groups as well, but they're not temp compatible with angelfish (additionally, angels may try to eat them, and that can kill the angel too). I would keep either the otos or the angelfish.

Here are a few potential options for you:

6x Otos
6-8x Silver hatchetfish
15x Neon tetra
2-4x Honey gourami
12x Panda cories
2x Keyhole cichlids or Bolivian rams

or

1x Angelfish
6-8x Silver hatchetfish
15x Cardinal tetra
8-10x Bronze or sterbaI cories
2x Blue rams