15 gallon stocking question?

[bettaboy691]

my mate asked me if his tank stocking was alright as im known as the "fish guy".
he said he had a 15 gallon tank,fully cycled a while back, heated and filtered, with planty of live plants,sand substrate and rocks, caves etc.
the fish he has are a trio of platies,2 rams, 3 cardinal tetras, 2 ADF's, 2 black kuhliis and a 2 amano shrimp, he thought this was overstocked, but i was unsure,
yes its a lot of fish, even more so if you go by the 1 inch per gallon rule, but the kuhliis and ADF's stay at the bottom, the rams mainly mid water and the platies mid-top range.
he also has a handful of platy fry in a breeding net, which he plans to sell when older.
he says he compleates a 30% water change every week.he water parimiters are fine the fish shop says.
i thought to myself, because of all the plants, a good water change every week,the fish he has arent that messy and because hes going to get rid of the fry when older, he isnt over stocked, but i wanted to make sure.
what do you think, any tips, i told him to keep up with the water changes, dont over feed, and check your water quality every fortnight or so.

[Rue]

Yes, that's overstocked...but as long he knows it and manages it...as he appears to be doing...

...then I have no major issues with it...

[bettaboy691]

cheers, i just wanted to check, what do you suggest i tell him, i suggested to him, taking the adult platies with him when he sells the fry, that should lower the stocklever a bit right?

[Incredulous_Ed]

I say as long as he does a larger water change each week (over 50%) and there are no aggresion issues he's fine.

[Glasstapper]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? Yes, it's overstocked, but if it's actually working for him, then he's one of the lucky few that are able to maintain an overstocked tank in good health. The only thing I'm concerned about is if, by chance of stress or something, is that if one of them got sick, it would spread like wildfire in there and maybe turn a treatable situation into a disaster.

My suggestion would be to up his water changes to twice a week (like every four days or so) but keep the same 30% amount changed. I know the water is already reading good conditions, but upping the water changes would kind of be like insurance. It would lessen the chances of a disease. No chance he could take a lesser-liked species out? That would help a lot.

This is only my opinion, though, as I've never kept any of those species before.