Swap/exchange Fish Without Killing!!!

Hey all,

Long story short I have made mistakes and have overstocked my tank as well as having some fish who are not totally compatible.

Here's what I have:
5- Guppy's
2- Pearl Gourami's
2-Dwarf Honey Gourami's
7- SterbaI Cory Cats
6- Siamese Algae Eaters
4-Red Wag Platys
8-12 new platy fry?!
3- Mollys

My tank is over stocked to say the least and I will be returning a few to my LFS. Now my question is should I remove the fish a few at a time or over the course of a few weeks and then restock it. Or swap them 1 for 1? I don't want to send the tank into a down spiral.

Here's what I plan on getting:
2-Anglefish
10- Rummynose Tetra
2- Clown Pleco
7-SterbaI Cory Cats
8- Red Wag Platy
3-Pearl Gourami
Maybe keep the mollys?

Can I say, take in my 6 Siamese Algae Eaters and then put two Angel Fish in my tank without throwing the tank's eco into disorder? Or can I take in 6 Siamese Algae Eaters, the two Honey's and 3 molly's and then put in rummys and angels?

 

I think your planned stocking above is fine. I'd even bump up the cory shoal to 10-12.

 

I think your planned stocking above is fine. I'd even bump up the cory shoal to 10-12.

Thanks! Do you have any advice on my swapping the fish in and out question?

 

I’d take out everything you want out, add 50%, then the rest over the next month BUT that’s a novice opinion and just what i’d do.

I wish I was close, i’d buy the Honey Gouramis from you. Can’t find em but going to try another lfs this afternoon.

 

I guess you would first want to know if the LFS will have the fish you want available when you are ready to purchase them. Then you can decide which fish you can swap to maintain the same amount of bioload in your tank.

I would also suggest getting all male platies to avoid fry.