30 Gallon stocking question

[fain]

I have been watching my Histrionica grow over the last month and have been very tempted to get them a few friends. (My lfs has some lovely Kubotai)

I have been stocking my tank at 1 gallon for every 1" of fish. (Taking full size into consideration.)

Tank Details:
30 gallon

5 Zebra Danio
4 Histrionica
2 Ghost Shrimp


I didn't factor the ghost shrimp into the equation as I have heard that their bio-load is negligible.


My question is, is it possible to get more loaches to keep mine company?

Thoughts?

[Diana]

http://www.loaches.com/species-index/botia-histronica

I would suggest trading in the B. histronica for a smaller fish. 5" Loaches in a 30 gallon tank is too big a fish/too small a tank. They will be OK in a 30 (assume about 2.5' long) until they are around 2" or a bit bigger. A low, long tank like a breeder style or long style has more floor space, so if yours is 3' long that would give them a bit more time. Eventually I would suggest you get a tank at least 4' long for these guys. Then you can get more, and more Danios for that school, too. They tend to be nippy in small groups.

Yes, an individual shrimp does not count for much as far as bioload goes. Maybe half a dozen to equal an inch of fish. They have a lot of shell, which does not count as far as oxygen consumption, or waste production.

[fain]

I am familiar with their aggression. I got to see it during the first few weeks when I was following the suggestions of adding only 3 fish at a time. They calmed down after the second batch of three was added, but one of them passed away unexpectedly about two weeks ago. The dominant female has been a bit nippy since, but everyone else in the group is very mellow. I am watching them closely every day to make sure everything is alright.

I still have 7 fry from their second batch of eggs growing up in another tank so they will have more company in a few months. And I suspected that the tank would be too small. When I purchased it (used) I was told it was a 35-38 gallon tank. This is my first tank since my 10 gallon when I was young, so I wasn't familiar with gaging tank sizes. I was very unhappy when I learned that it was only a 30.

My father and I have been looking at larger used tanks lately for his Discus. I may be able to get him to keep an eye out for a 40 gallon for me, but I am afraid of going much bigger due to my circumstances.

Would a 40 gallon suit? And if so, about how many loaches would be comfortable in it?

[Diana]

A 40 gallon breeder style is low, wide and deep (distance front to back) so has a lot of floor space. It is only 15-16" tall.
Mine is 3' long x 15 or 16". This would be OK for a Loach that reaches about 3", maybe 4". I am not sure if it would be ideal for 5" Loaches. However, with more floor space you can have more caves, driftwood and other things these fish like, so it might work. Seems sort of small, though.

My 4' long tanks range from 45 to 72 gallons. They vary from 12" to 16" deep and 15" to 24" tall. I would suggest you look for something in this sort of range, if there is any way you could handle a 4' long tank.