Quick question on adding fish

[rjohnson16]

Most things I've read suggest to add no more than 3 fish at a time to a tank. 

But when it comes to fish who like being in schools--Neon Tetra, for example--do you still adhere to the "3 at a time" guideline, or do you go for more?

In my case, I eventually plan to have 10 Neon Tetra in a new 29g community tank (and it will be cycled before I add them)...Should I add all 10 at once? Go 5-5? or Even 3-3-4? 

 

[lefty o]

i myself would add 10 neons at one time. they are small, and dont have a huge bio load per fish. if you wanted 10 of a larger fish, then id probably do half at a time.

[Camryn Lawrence]

Personally I would add all of them at once. If it is the same type of fish (like Neon Tetras), you would be fine adding them all at once because they would have a small bio-load and wouldn't be aggressive towards each other.

[Guppysnail]

I agree with something small like that Al at once but recommend monitoring daily for ammonia and nitrite spikes until the tank settles in 

Edited December 18, 2021 by Guppysnail

[Torrey]

On 12/17/2021 at 1:59 PM, rjohnson16 said:

Most things I've read suggest to add no more than 3 fish at a time to a tank. 

But when it comes to fish who like being in schools--Neon Tetra, for example--do you still adhere to the "3 at a time" guideline, or do you go for more?

In my case, I eventually plan to have 10 Neon Tetra in a new 29g community tank (and it will be cycled before I add them)...Should I add all 10 at once? Go 5-5? or Even 3-3-4? 

 

Gotta love these general blanket statements like "only add 3 at a time" and "only get an inch of fish per gallon".

I mean, I wouldn't add 3 plecos at a time to a brand new, just cycled tank. I would probably add 1, observe, and then add another one... unless I was @Guppysnail and had a tank up and running for BN fry.

I would add 6 to 8 endlers at a time to a cycled, seasoned tank, to reduce their stress.

I would add a dozen neons for the same reason.

If you really want to make sure the tank is ready, "ghost feed" as if all the neons are already in there, for at least a week or two before quarantine is up, and test the water. If you don't detect nitrites or ammonia, and have been ghost feeding the tank for a week longer, your beneficial bacteria are ready for the fish.

[Guppysnail]

On 12/17/2021 at 9:25 PM, Torrey said:

If you really want to make sure the tank is ready, "ghost feed" as if all the neons are already in there, for at least a week or two before quarantine is up, and test the water. If you don't detect nitrites or ammonia, and have been ghost feeding the tank for a week longer, your beneficial bacteria are ready for the fish.

This is good advice

[Torrey]

On 12/17/2021 at 7:27 PM, Guppysnail said:

This is good advice

It's how I was taught to cycle a tank back in the 70's. Very scientific measurements back then: "feed a pinch for each fish you plan on adding to the tank" is about as helpful as "don't add more than 3" 🙄

[Guppysnail]

On 12/17/2021 at 9:34 PM, Torrey said:

It's how I was taught to cycle a tank back in the 70's. Very scientific measurements back then: "feed a pinch for each fish you plan on adding to the tank" is about as helpful as "don't add more than 3" 🙄

I remember those “scientific” fish keeping methods 🤣