"Overstocking" Fish Tanks & How To Maintain Them. Keep Three Times As Many Fish In The Same Aquarium

[@rconabudget7530]

Bro I have been watching your videos for a while now. I have never commented. watching this video is exactly why I love your videos. the way you explain things. you make it simple for beginners while giving more experience keepers food for thought. I LOVE IT. thank you, stay safe and keep it coming.

[@Fishtory]

Thank you very much, and also, thank you for stopping to comment, i really appreciate it. Im glad you enjoy this type of content, and ill gladly keep creating if you keep watching! Cheers, Alex.

[@natehill1946]

I never seen a fish poop as much as platy but I love them

[@rainbowfishtalk4573]

Totally late to the game and semi-off-topic, but Rosy Red Minnows - often sold as feeder fish at big box pet stores - are also cold-water fish. Probably not the special something anyone was looking for, but easy to find at least!! And they are actually really pretty once they color up and aren't being kept 1,000 to a tank.

[@sarahpauline4904]

I have lupus also, it's no joke, even without being struck by lightening. Stay well.

[@Fishtory]

Thank you, that's very kind. Im sorry to hear about your lupus though. Im sure you know, but the hobby really helps me escape my mind and body- allowing me to think about the little worlds going on behind the glass (until water change days haha) Take care, and keep in touch please :)

[@bergermanfpv]

I've been binge listening/watching a lot of your videos lately and really enjoying all the content. Keep up the great work ✌️

[@Fishtory]

Awesome! Thank you so very much! Welcome to the community

[@nathanhutto701]

I always take the time to watch your videos because i know i'll learn a lot

[@Fishtory]

That means a lot to me! Thank you kindly, im glad i can help your journey a little bit

[@vanuaturly]

Thanks this was helpful. I've got a 10 gallon with a couple pea puffers. Have been having huge cyanobacteria blooms and couldn't figure out why nitrates were so high. Tons of surface area, heavily planted. Guessing now that it's from the puffers killing all of the snails.

[@Fishtory]

Bingo

[@cassandrafrancis2246]

Love is all around! No comment been watching many different videos from now and the for hours to learn loads.. thanks.Cassandra. ... Glasgow.. Scotland.. last video. Names of fish. Yeah your Dads favourite. The wee Stickleback... DON'T BE DRINKING ANYMORE OF THAT POND WATER PLEASE...😊❤

[@Fishtory]

Welcome 🙏 and thanks for coming by!

[@ffxfgxsfxxxg2419]

I love the overstocked look but would like to do it ethically. I always overstock either nano fast breeding fish such as guppies and mollies or cardinal tetras

[@Fishtory]

Oh yeah, plenty of fish naturally will be fine like that. Mostly big aggressive fish won't work out that way

[@ffxfgxsfxxxg2419]

Oh my god I didn’t expect you to actually respond!!

[@dessyden3712]

UK here to learn again

[@Fishtory]

Cheers! Much abliged

[@marthanewsome6375]

All my tanks are over stocked and all doing well, but I believe in over filtration. Except lately my 4 foot discus paludarium is having issues, as they get really big, the waste has increased so much I'm cleaning their giant canister filters out every 2 weeks, where as when they were small I only had to do a clean on them every two months.

[@wcdeich4]

WetSpot Tropical Fish in Portland, OR has tank raised Ancistrus claro, LDA008 the Gold Marble bristlenose pleco now! They only grow to 3 inches & the males change color!

[@jpersons-bx9rn]

I hope you recover soon. Watching the older videos.

[@Fishtory]

Thank you very much

[@mingbritson]

Great information as always -- and congrats on all the new fish!!! Thanks as always, Alexander -- you're awesome!!!

[@Fishtory]

Hehe thanks...they're kind of old fish now, but just the same- I appreciate it ;)

[@tashspond]

I just got a trio of rocket killis today and I’m very excited about them

[@Fishtory]

Epic little fish!

[@lashleyweaving1354]

Love your tank I'm getting there

[@PotooBurd]

This is so informative! Great job, fantastic reporting!🌻🌼🐝 Keep it up 🙌

[@aquariumplantman]

Hey Alex, cheers for the fishy entertainment as always brother.

[@Fishtory]

As always... thank you Pete!

[@zwgrafos310]

About nitrates: I keep planted tanks without changing water and until the anaerobic bacteria grow, (they need 4-8 months) my nitrates always the first months are 300-400ppm. After 4 months the nitrates start go down but again I am between 50-150ppm depending on the case. I haven't lost even one fish and my fishes are happy and healthy. I search too much and found researches that nitrates until 400ppm are not toxic to fishes. I would love to hear you opinion in this matter or make a test in one of your tanks.

[@omarfejzic2981]

See I get too much algae to reliably get high enough nitrates, maybe I am understocking however.

[@ethan2090]

From what I understand it should be almost impossible to get the nitrates that high to begin with. Are you sure your tests are accurate? From what I have heard on Father Fish the study testing nitrate toxicity required artificial methods of raising the nitrates to get into the 400 range

[@heaven7360]

Enjoyed all the plant information. Having problems with them all these days. Also, the information about the filter's place in an aquarium. Have you done a video on filters specifically?

[@Fishtory]

I have. If you look back through my videos i think ive done a few on sponge vs canister vs corner/ matten, under gravel and HOBs... but if you look and don't find what you need, let me know. There's one on powerheads and flow also... which discusses location of filters and powerheads as well as currents in tanks and oxygenation

[@nada347_]

Any video specifically that you'd recommend for fish behavior? I just added 6 CPDs and 6 white clouds and it was calm for a few hours. Then one of the CPDs starting getting aggressive and now the rest are getting involved. Are they going to re-enact West Side Story and have a rumble or is there fish Xanax that I can use? Why is this happening and how do I stop them from stressing themselves and everyone else out ?

[@clintonford9609]

Perfect video for me to watch right now.

[@Fishtory]

Glad to hear it!

[@lashleyweaving1354]

Sounds good

[@meredithrwelsh]

Love this topic!

[@Fishtory]

Glad to hear it! ... me too hehe

[@lyndaspangler9654]

WoW! Thank you. 💜💕💜💕💜💞💜💕💜💕💜💕💞💜

[@Fishtory]

You are so welcome

[@thebeigesheep6132]

Thanks for sharing about how most liquid fertilizers just increase your nitrate. I did not realize that! I was wondering, does that mean it is putting just nitrate into your water column or is it putting nitrites or ammonia as well?

[@Fishtory]

It totally depends on the brand. Some are full of both...some have none. I personally like ADAZ but It’s pricey

[@thebeigesheep6132]

@@Fishtory I'm using seachem. Any idea? I also looked at aquarium co op. Both just say nitrogen but idk if that means it's ammonia, nitrate or nitrite. I also recently learned one of seachems fertilizers actually kills beneficial bacteria!

[@Lilly_officiall-fd4wf]

Hi, I have 67 litres tank. I got a pair of ramirezi, 1 bolivian ramirezi, 1 apistogramma borelli, 11 neon tetra, 8 black widow tetra, 8 phantom tetra, 3 honey gourami, 2 corys julli, 1 sword tail, 1 molly, 6 guppys, . I got a canister filter sicce eko 300 fill it with marine pure biomedia. Do you think I can keep healthy my fishes? May you give some advices to keep them well and healthy?. Thanks.

[@Fishtory]

So my first comment is on the stocking choices. Everyone is different, and even each fish is unique in its tolerances and behaviors. But the apisto and ram are a species that really should have a pattern and or be paired with the opposite gender of their species ...and then they also really need at least 2 caves or places to hide (under a log or rock pile with ledges , also works.) So you may want to see if you can trade one of the fish for another ...ie ask if someone wants the ram and will trade you store credit or trade you another apisto of the opposite gender ...then they will form a bond and territory, rather than risk terrorizing the whole tank and being mean to other smaller fish. The tetras, and apisto all tend to like low tds, slightly acid water and tannins...where as the rams need lots of water changes and neutral water ideally. Lastly, your Molly and guppies need alkaline and hard water (basically the opposite of your tetras, and the cichlids... and they will have lots of babies If you have any females ...even if they arent with males, they can give birth 5 to 8 times after being exposed even once to fertile males at the store, farm or wild. So ideally getting a tank for the livebearers and adding some crushed coral to the water and substrate would be ideal... BUT if you want to try and keep everyone together, I say you should keep the water very neutral. Add maybe 1 or 2 handfuls of crushed shells or crushed coral to the substrate and do water changes of 20 to 30% 2x a week ... keeping the ph around 6.8-7.5 and ideally more at 6.8-7.2. Your filtration sounds fine. I would add lots of plants since you have a lot of fish in that tank already. Also you may want a nerite snail or some wild type shrimp (amanos?) To help clean algae and bacteria off small plants and cracks or hard to reach places. Lastly, I'd say don't vacuum the substrate. Only suck up excess food and or dead leaves...let the poop and bits of brown fluffy stuff settle...and then your gravel or substrate will colonize with more good bacteria in the long run..and the fish can nibble and snack on the biofilm on leaves or rocks in the tank. Best of luck, you've got cool fish- but they are very opposite in their needs. I've done it before, but it needs to be done with tons of plants and a decent light to help grow those plants and or algae which eliminates the ammonia and nitrates

[@Lilly_officiall-fd4wf]

Thank you so much. I really appreciate yor support. I think you are a very good fish keeper. Thanks for your help.

[@wmarian5027]

Looking forward to rice fish talk. Wanted to ask:would danio tinwini do well in pond? Also, are they overactivd/ aggressive to tankmates like the other danios you mentioned?

[@Fishtory]

Yes they work pretty well in summer up here in Seattle... they can take water as cool as 64 degrees or so... but 2 years ago i put 6 in a tank in june and by September i pulled about 30 out They will eat their babies somewhat, but no where near as nippy as larger danios

[@wmarian5027]

@@Fishtory Cool! For when they are tank community, are they pushy/energetic like the other Danios you mentioned?

[@leesahcage3297]

Great video. What places have the cheapest shipping rates, $40 for shipping is crazy for $10 of fish.

[@Fishtory]

Yeah, ypu need to order over 60 dollars at a time to see savings (and apply the 15% channel discount- if you want a deal)

[@Fishtory]

Han aquatics jn Massachusetts usually has some selections

[@leesahcage3297]

@@Fishtory I'd buy $60 of fish if I didn't have to spend an extra $40 for shipping. I just bought $60 worth of plants but shipping was$8.50 and I bought $60 from glofish.com but shipping was free

[@Fishtory]

A lot of places have cheaper shipping...but they raise the price of livestock or lower the quality /don't quarentine. Honestly if you spend 60 to 75 or more you get what you pay for on most sites. When they have shipping cheaper than 12 dollars they are adding it to the price somewhere...but sometimes you can figure out which site has cheap shrimp but pricey fish for example....and then know to avoid their fish , since they count on fish sales for the shipping costs. I've only been able to speak for LRB AQUATICS, THE WET SPOT TROPICAL FISH, SELECT AQUATICS, HAN AQUATICS, DANS FISHROOM & of course my favorite for nano species AQUATICARTS.COM... All the other sites ive shopped with have had eleobopsidae or fungus on shrimp, dead on arrival issues, poor colors or some issue... AZ Gardens being one I now avoid.

[@brendatraub1161]

Now... I want a sponge 😮

[@Fishtory]

Hehe they're not really for sale usually, because they die so easily. But once I a blue moon, they turn up on their own in very clean and 0 nitrate water

[@Liftingtheveilx]

I have no problem getting fish lol mainly Betta or Endler guppy, Guppy from Asia or over seas

[@jojocool555]

I watch the bit about removing plants a couple of time, but still not sure- Are you removing plants, so removing their ammonia absorbtion,,,,so you are leaving more Ammonia for the bacteria in your filters to eat, so maturing the filters quicker ? Is that right ? ? Thanks Alex. Phew ! 😊

[@Fishtory]

Correct

[@jojocool555]

@@Fishtory Wow, amazing tip, would not have figured that out,,,,but sounds good when you think about it, Your vids have blown me away. I'm heavily into natural eco systems, but you take it to a whole new Universe ! Luv Ya Man. X

[@KettmanAquatic]

Is that a huge crypt on the right side?

[@Fishtory]

Si

[@EuroGupper]

@Fishtory Hello Alex, These days I am in experiment mode. (Especially with shrimp tanks) i have removed all forms of mechanical filtration Just an airstone, deep inert sand substrate, 16 hours led light( + sunlight), guppy grass, wood and leaves (any dried leaf that isn't poisonous) Further I added a lot of fauna such as paramecium, daphnia, detritus worms and snails. I basically went full nature on this tank I am now contemplating removing all sponges from the canister filter and just use it like a giant airstone (provide aeration only by injecting the canister water into the tank from the top of the water surface). I hold 10 Discus, 10 corydoras and 1 SAE in a 125 gallon tank. Still not sure if i will go ahead with this since the fish basically wipe out most micro fauna (unlike in the shrimp tanks where they can thrive and keep the tank clean)

[@Fishtory]

Only one way to know...but just monitor things closely at first. Id love to hear what occcurs. Also- ive kept shrimp that same way for years in as small as a 2.5g tank by only doing small water top offs

[@EuroGupper]

@@Fishtory If you kept any daphnia in the, the daphnia will die (at the end of their life cycle) and feed the shrimp proteins. The algae will hide and feed them as well and the die off from the guppy grass will eventually replace the dried leaves that had to be added in the tank to feed the micro fauna and bacteria I think I created my first self feeding tank

[@UpperAquatics]

For the algorithm!

[@thehornwortofhornwort9832]

I haven’t watched all your recent videos yet so I may be missing out on something, but don’t ricefish require colder waters and can’t be mixed with tropical fish?

[@Fishtory]

They do best in cold waters ( 60- 72) and can withstand freezing top waters even, if it's as slow as nature usually changes temperatures in a day... As for high temperatures, they can actually survive in very warm ponds up to 100 degrees for short periods. 76 is a totally fine range for them...anything over that can lead to shorter lifespans and or kidney issues after a few months...but they also lay more eggs the warmer they are, up to about 85 degrees...as their metabolism is sped up

[@thehornwortofhornwort9832]

The Secret History Living in Your Aquarium oh ok, I though they were completely cold water!

[@James35261]

What would you say the top five “ammonia eater“ plants are?

[@Fishtory]

Water lettuce, duck weed, ludwigias, hornwort, pearlweed, pothos.

[@James35261]

Will I notice a reduction with Phyllanthus fluitans branded “red root floater” when purchased, with Hygrophila Difformis branded water wisteria and guppy grass? I bought the trio and it’s delivering this week. I can’t get my ammonia under 0.05-0.025 to save my life.

[@jessl1934]

It's a bit late for this reply but for anyone else who wants an answer to this question, basically any fast-growing plant is going to be a great ammonia sponge. That's going to put most semi-aquatic and riparian plants at a significant advantage because they're able to access the CO² in the atmosphere for photosynthesis, meaning that they're going to grow faster than their aquatic counterparts (all things being equal). Azolla, given enough light, will be a great ammonia absorber, as will sweet potato slips and ipomoea aquatica, if it's at least partially above the waterline. Of course pothos is going to be right up there but if ammonia is a big problem or a major concern then your best bet is a non-varigated variety due to the fact that the standard version has more green = more chlorophyll = more growth = more ammonia uptake. Basically aim for the fastest growing plant that has its head above water and you will have what you're looking for. Increasing the amount of light, within reason, should help with this as well.

[@DelkaSable]

How do you find dead fish/snail in such jungles? My apple snail died and poisoned and eh, collapse happened in a small jungle-style tank

[@Fishtory]

Yeah what happens in the jungle tend to stay in the jungle lol

[@wvkoi5675]

Why would we put dead leaves into the aquarium (a la Father Fish) but remove dead leaves from aquatic plants?

[@Fishtory]

He argues with me on that point.... but its because the aquatic plants are full of chlorophyll and chemicals that dried terrestrial leaves lose ... and we want those skeletal compounds that make a leaf...not that ammonia and organic waste that attracts mold and bacteria .... you CAN leave it...but youll get far more algae

[@AG-wf4mu]

How to get side tracked over and over again

[@Fishtory]

Bingo

[@williamleidy6713]

Beats per second ?

[@Fishtory]

Tds total dissolved solids and ppm parts per million.

[@NeoVeritas7]

Bog moss?

[@Fishtory]

Peate moss

[@FishCapadesProductions]

Guys I gone and done it 😅 ❤ lol

[@johnjwedrall4290]

USPS sucks in Grayslake. Illinois.

[@Fishtory]

Good to know....especially since FEDEX has their national hub nearby instead

[@drenchaquaculture2680]

He's only gone and done it. What are you like?

[@fulignosa]

4:26 they don`t wanna share - completely false.Believe me, I`m Japanese, in the hobby for multiple decades, and the problem is, most people really suck at english. And the middle men, often times a non-Japanese, don`t really care about our reputation. It`s so funny that people wanna demonize others for whatever reason they got. I grew up in US when I was young, came back, and saw a lot of similar case in many occasion. Most rice fish breeders don`t have a long history like 400 years, I believe some one`s creating a myth, trying to say I`m the only guy you can rely on. Fancy breed of rice fish just started blooming recently, in like two decades or so, man, don`t be fooled. our rice fish ain`t got history like china`s gold fish. Believe me.

[@Fishtory]

Look at your own county's websites then... theres half a dozen museum and history museum websites that discuss rice fish and albino or melanistic special varieties being bred in early or mid Edo Japan. Then again in the late 1800s they gained more popularity and a long fin variety was documented. The most recent fad of ricefish keeping has produced by far the most diverse and colorful varieties and started in the 1990s with the lock down being many people's first exposure to keeping them in urban areas. Also when ricefish were brought over in the 1960s, the rarer colors were not available to foreigners in any sex other than male... which was standard practice with some japanese guppies and endlers.... even today. Trying to buy female varieties of the "koi" or any guppies can be very difficult. Breeders like Hoskiki Tsutsui, Junichi Ito, or Tokayoshi Kimora still keep their creations very closely gaurded...Even if the genetics are now all mapped and largely understood

[@johnnybest6386]

"JOHNNY 5 " LOVES@NEEDS FREE INPUT... THE MORE "INPUT" A.K.A INFORMATIONS MAKE JOHNNY 5 ALIVE?

[@hermosafish]

I had a buddy that painted his nails black. I doubt anyone who saw him would challenge him as gay. He rode with a very nasty little motorcycle club.

[@Fishtory]

Oh totally... plus, my wife would be pretty pissed if I were gay

[@hermosafish]

@@Fishtory Understandably! I've recently been considering painting mine. And I'm 65!

[@mr.octopus6972]

If you ordered too many fish just send them to me. Duh 🤪

[@MrGigi-dz9cv]

24:20 Doesn't look healthy at all.

[@MrGigi-dz9cv]

Yes. The elephant heart is about 30-40 bps.

[@Fishtory]

The plant?

[@MrGigi-dz9cv]

@@Fishtory The whole aquarium.

[@Fishtory]

@MrGigi-dz9cv for a 3 or 4 month old tank, why would you say that? This tank is actually still running 5 hears later , but looks far different

[@MrGigi-dz9cv]

@@Fishtory Plants are too pale.

[@airplanegeorge]

those fingernails creep me out too.

[@Fishtory]

Boo!

[@jessl1934]

Imagine being freaked out over colored nails lmao

[@insanecuckooman8342]

i love your videos, but would you please consider doing something with those blue nails, i literally cannot watch the videos just listen to it bc of it. thanks.

[@biancaok3745]

lol the entitlement