I have a 30 gallon tank. Can I have 6 zebra danios, 10 neon tetras, and 1 SAE? Or am I overstocking my tank?

Question

SAE = Siamese Flying Fox or the Siamese Algae Eater

Answer 1

Well someone once told me that it's supposed to be one inch of fish per gallon, if that helps.

Answer 2

That's fine, actually.  Your danios and neons are pretty low-waste fish and won't impact your bioload too much.

The one inch per gallon rule is outdated and no longer used, so ignore that.

Answer 3

you are overstocking your tank.when fish having enough space they do not stress.but it would be beautiful........

Answer 4

Doesn't sound overstocked to me.

Get the water tested, as long as the filters can control the waste and you do enough water changes to keep the Nitrate level down then that part is OK.

The fish you have are peacefull or schooling fish, so you dont have agression problems. None of them are going to outgrow the tank.

Using a ruler to work out tank stocking is a VERY approximate method that doesn't really work in real life. The 1" rule has just been made up by the pet stores to prevent newbies stuffing too many fish into their new tank then complaining they all die after a week.

If your fish are healthy and your water quality good, then you are not overstocked.

Ian