Stocking Scheme PT.2

[talontsiawd]

If you have read, my neon tetra's died for an unknown reason, no other fish was affected (still thinking neon tetra disease). Then i got some serpea's of off bad advice. So, i have not been happy, i'm new to this.

Anyway, i've been going off of a scheme i read in a book. It says 4 "schools" of 6 tetra's and gives a variety of types. I know it's a bit inaccurate as some grow to 1 in, some over 2. Anyway, right now i have 3 species. Flame tetras, red eye tetras, and silver tip tetras. I also have 3 otto's and 2 dwarf grourmi's. I plan to add 2 more red eyes to complete the 6 of each school/species but my tank feels a bit crouded. I think some of that has to do with the fact that most planted tanks are "under stocked". I'm just wondering if i'm going to be fine with this.

Part of the problem in terms of looks is that they all are at the same level, the whole top 1/2 is rarely used by any fish except the gourmi's. I just want to make sure i'm on the right path.

[lauraleellbp]

IMO that's overstocked for a 29gal tank.

And you'll need to keep a close eye on those silver tips; some people have kept them with no issues, but they have a reputation for being just as aggressive as Serpaes (sorry! )

Personally, I'd recommend going down to just one school of tetras, one gourami (you may be OK if one is male and one is a female- but if they're both pretty fish then you most likely have 2 males and will have issues down the road), and a school of small bottom-dwellers, like Cories.