Stocking query

[Azaezl]

Ok just a quick one regarding stocking. I currently have 11 corys & 10 amano shrimp in an 18 Gallon but I would ideally like to add a few more corys without it being crowded. Visually to me I was thinking another 4 would be fine, but is this ok or could I possibly fit more then this? The reason I ask is I have seen some albino pandas that I really really want to get but if 4 or 5 of them won't fit in the tank I'll just have to leave it.


Tank - 24"(L) x 12"(D) x 15"(H)

Filtration - 2 x Fluval 2 + (each fluval is rated up to 24 Gallons)

Inhabitants - 6 x C.Panda, 5 x C.Trilineatus, 10 x Amano Shrimp

The tank is planted, water quality is spot on with ammonia / nitrite always 0 and nitrate never rising above 10, usually 5.



Advice is very much appreciated

[Richard B]

Surface area is what's important to calculate how many fish you shouls add. In a well filtered tank, as a generous measure i would say...

24x12=228 square inches of surface area, each 1" of fish needs 10 square inches of surface area, so you can have 28 fish 1" long, (or any combo of reasonable sized fish up to the max - this however doesn't allow for growth!)

If you currently have 11 corys at 1 or 2 " that would be 22 " out of your 28" allowance so 6" of spare space, so 3 x albino pandas should be ok - i would stretch this to the 4 or 5 you wanted - the body sizes do not include tail, so you should be ok but that'll be your limit really.

Obviously when fully stocked you always need to follow a good water quality regime & keep a close eye on everything.

The only problem then would be when you next see some cute little new cory species & have no room - time for another tank

[Azaezl]

Thanks for your advice

I'm very strict with water changes on all 5 of my tanks, they all get changed twice a week regardless of how lightly / heavily stocked they are.

They will be moving up to a 30G towards the end of the year so the 18G will be free for whatever takes my fancy