Bradders
Member
Since my re-engagement with aquariums nine months ago, I have read a lot about this topic, which is actually a hard one to quantify. As a result, I think it's worthy of a focused discussion amongst the community.
It can also be quite touchy. There seems to be no "math" around it, but a lot of people have differing views on what is right and what is wrong. And some of that is passionately debated. We have a great collection of members here, so I wondered if we could debate this in an open and non-confrontational way. Just to bring in all the experienced fish-keepers, their views and thoughts.
I mentioned the touchy side. And I don't think I should start this thread without my own disclosure. I have a small 100-litre semi-planted aquarium with 33 fish - which equates to 49 fish inches. Mollys, Guppys, Platys and Tetras all live in that space. That is 3 fish per two gallons (~10 litres) of water. I can find sources to say that is perfectly OK, and others to say that I should be imprisoned. It's not an entirely comfortable position to be in when you are trying to do the best for your pets - and keep a thriving and beautiful community.
To add to this, you have an aspect of how (perceivably) happy the fish are. And to demonstrate this, I have 5 platys which were introduced early on (when stocking was low and space was maximised) and squabbled. They just love to squabble! The fish load has increased since then, and all of them get on and swim around happily - but the platys continue to squabble like they did when more space was there. So what does that mean? Should I have stopped with the 5 Platys, as it was perceived that the space was too small and resulted in squabbling? Or was I right to carry on expanding the livestock with the evidence that all other fish seem settled and the Platys are still squabbling?
I would love to hear about your experiences and views. I would invite people to be open and not critical but to contribute to a debate that has plagued fish owners for, seemingly, many years.
Over to you!
It can also be quite touchy. There seems to be no "math" around it, but a lot of people have differing views on what is right and what is wrong. And some of that is passionately debated. We have a great collection of members here, so I wondered if we could debate this in an open and non-confrontational way. Just to bring in all the experienced fish-keepers, their views and thoughts.
I mentioned the touchy side. And I don't think I should start this thread without my own disclosure. I have a small 100-litre semi-planted aquarium with 33 fish - which equates to 49 fish inches. Mollys, Guppys, Platys and Tetras all live in that space. That is 3 fish per two gallons (~10 litres) of water. I can find sources to say that is perfectly OK, and others to say that I should be imprisoned. It's not an entirely comfortable position to be in when you are trying to do the best for your pets - and keep a thriving and beautiful community.
To add to this, you have an aspect of how (perceivably) happy the fish are. And to demonstrate this, I have 5 platys which were introduced early on (when stocking was low and space was maximised) and squabbled. They just love to squabble! The fish load has increased since then, and all of them get on and swim around happily - but the platys continue to squabble like they did when more space was there. So what does that mean? Should I have stopped with the 5 Platys, as it was perceived that the space was too small and resulted in squabbling? Or was I right to carry on expanding the livestock with the evidence that all other fish seem settled and the Platys are still squabbling?
I would love to hear about your experiences and views. I would invite people to be open and not critical but to contribute to a debate that has plagued fish owners for, seemingly, many years.
Over to you!