Stocking Question

[Faith_at_Large]

My home tank has one lone Zebra Danio, one lone male Red Platy, and two Otos, and one Betta on the other side of a divider (soon to have his own tank). The fish on the main side are starting to nip at each other and it was never my intention to have just one of any species other than the Betta.

I know that adding one fish to a group might be a problem for the newbie; but will adding additional fish of the same species cause problems for a lone resident? I am thinking of adding two more Zebra Danios and two more Platys to balance things out, and I am wondering if I am going to be facing more problems trying this or if it is worth the risk.

I will be moving the Betta out of the tank but this will not be until the new tank is cycled and ready for use; however, I have a warm day tomorrow suitable for bringing fish home, but I am facing a colder extended winter in the coming weeks. I am worried about the current fish picking on each other, especially the Danio and the Platy, and I think they need company of their own kind.

In a pinch, I could put my Betta in a temporary quaranteen tank and separate any trouble makers, but my quaranteen tank is not heated and only really suitable for temporary living for a Betta or quick dips for other species.

For those who may have noticed, yes I will be adding additional stock to my work tank; however, as one recently had to be put down, I will be waiting before adding anything new. And already having two Danios but no other species, it should be easy to gradually top up - not sure what I will add, but probably more Zebras.