10g Question

[tbay2005]

I have 2 platys, 2 black skirt tetras and 2 algae eaters(small oto cats). I would like to go and get 2 more cats, they are so small can a 10 g handle 2 more?

[MandyL]

Yes I would think that would be fine.

[GreenTerrorNYC]

Always add fish gradually to allow your tank to get used to the new bio-load.

Monitor your levels to make sure the environment remains stable, if ammonia levels increase then do water changes daily until the levels stabilize. If your tank is cycled the bacteria should adjust itself.

[NickFish]

No, no, no. Yes, the otos will be able to fit, but you shouldn't be adding more otos. Instead you should put in another 4 black skirt tetras. They are schooling fish, and really shouldn't be in groups smaller than 15, but with 6, they may not be fully happy but at least they won't die an early death from the stress of not having a school, and disease associated with stress.

You could fit more otos in, but if you want your black skirts to live a full life get 4 more.

[MandyL]

Unfortunately the otos are also schooling fish. I would worry about being overstocked with 6 black skirts (they aren't just skinny little neons remember) as well as the platies and otos. You could MAYBE get away with 2 more otos and 2 more black skirts.

[tbay2005]

You think two more otos and 2 more black skirts won't be too much for a 10g?

[Sasquatch]

That'll depend on what kind of filtration you have and what you water change schedule is.

Our 10g tank is has much more bioload than yours ... we're even going to be adding some more otos next week. We have an AC30 on the tank, do twice weekly water changes and have a goodly amount of live plants.

With similar conditions, I don't see why you couldn't add another two black skirts and otos. Add each pair with an interval of 2 weeks, just to make sure you biofilter is keeping up.

[NickFish]

That'll depend on what kind of filtration you have and what you water change schedule is.

Our 10g tank is has much more bioload than yours ... we're even going to be adding some more otos next week. We have an AC30 on the tank, do twice weekly water changes and have a goodly amount of live plants.

With similar conditions, I don't see why you couldn't add another two black skirts and otos. Add each pair with an interval of 2 weeks, just to make sure you biofilter is keeping up.

Agreed, and yes the black skirts are bigger than neons, and the bio-load is a bit more but you don't have much choice when you already have 2 in there. Also, black skirts are really a little big for a 10g, but again you already have them and not much you can do unless you want to return them.
Otos are schooling fish of course, and in the wild they can live in groups of hundreds of individuals. However the same can be said for black skirts, and as we all know black skirts are characins. And charcins are the definition of schooling fish, the black skirts need a school much more than the otos do.