Stocking plan
Plan a freshwater tank stocking
Set volume, add species with the numbers you actually plan to keep, and get a conservative verdict for the whole stocking — bioload, group size, zone crowding, and multi-species conflicts, not a single pair in isolation. Use the editor first; the planning notes below explain why a pairwise match still needs a tank-level check.
Shared plan · RISKY
Tank volume is below published minima for at least one species — shop size is not adult swimming space. Review supporting points next, then re-run the check.
Primary issue: Tank volume is below published minima for at least one species — shop size is not adult swimming space. Hard conflicts on file (water, pairing, size, or bettas) — resolve red items before fine-tuning decor or food. 10 fish across 3 species in 45L. Shared temperature 22–26°C. Stocking: balanced (load index 21 vs ref 45).
Your stock
Tank volume is below published minima for at least one species — shop size is not adult swimming space. Review supporting points next, then re-run the check.
At least one species has ID or trade-name ambiguity on file — plan for a typical trade example, not every shop label. Several caution-level pair flags mean real outcomes depend on tank shape, cover, and individual fish. Elevated risk verdict — we bias toward safety; your reading of specialist sources still matters.
Pair compatibility for any two species · Fish library
Critical problems
- Cherry Barb needs about 60L minimum for adult size (~5cm) and normal swimming space — your 45L tank is below that. Shop size is not adult size.
- Corydoras Catfish needs about 60L minimum for adult size (~6cm) and normal swimming space — your 45L tank is below that. Shop size is not adult size.
- Cherry Barb is a schooling/shoaling species — keeping only 1 is a serious welfare risk; aim for at least 6.
- Corydoras Catfish is a schooling/shoaling species — keeping only 1 is a serious welfare risk; aim for at least 6.
Water overlap
What every fish can share at the same time
Shared temperature: 22–26°C
Shared pH: 6.0–7.0
Shared temperature range for all species: 22–26°C.
Shared pH window: 6.0–7.0.
Stocking pressure
balanced
Load index 21 vs conservative reference 45 for 45L (adult cm × quantity × bioload weight × territory factor).
Swim-zone distribution
Fish-weighted zone use — top 0.0, middle 9.0, bottom 1.0 (relative biomass per level).
Most biomass leans toward one swim level — shy fish may feel exposed or outcompeted at feeding time.
Compatibility summary
Species pairing: needs care
warning· other- Ember Tetra + Cherry Barb: Ember Tetra + Cherry Barb: Tank may be too small. Ember Tetra and Cherry Barb together need at least 60 litres. Your tank is 45 litres. Outcomes still depend on your tank shape, maintenance routine, and individual fish.
- Ember Tetra + Corydoras Catfish: Ember Tetra + Corydoras Catfish: Tank may be too small. Ember Tetra and Corydoras Catfish together need at least 60 litres. Your tank is 45 litres. Outcomes still depend on your tank shape, maintenance routine, and individual fish.
- Cherry Barb + Corydoras Catfish: Cherry Barb + Corydoras Catfish: Tank may be too small. Cherry Barb and Corydoras Catfish together need at least 60 litres. Your tank is 45 litres. Outcomes still depend on your tank shape, maintenance routine, and individual fish.
Pairs checked: 3 · RISKY pair flags: 0 · CAUTION: 3
Fix this setup
Grouped by scenario — work through each block in order
Volume & minimum tank
- 1.Increase tank size to at least 60L, or remove Cherry Barb from this stocking plan.
- 2.Increase tank size to at least 60L, or remove Corydoras Catfish from this stocking plan.
Schooling & group sizes
- 1.Add more Cherry Barb to reach at least 6 individuals, or remove the species.
- 2.Add more Corydoras Catfish to reach at least 6 individuals, or remove the species.
Suggested swaps
- Single-biome community: e.g. soft-water South Americans together (tetras + corydoras + small gourami) — run the pair tool for every add-on.
- Species or centrepiece tank: one main species (or one compatible pair group) in a right-sized aquarium with dither fish from the same water profile — not random continent mixing.
- Where a pleco is the volume problem, consider bristlenose pleco instead of common pleco for sub-200L plans.
Beginner difficulty
advanced
- Serious compatibility or tank-size issues — not a beginner layout until resolved.
Schooling / group size
- Cherry Barb is a schooling/shoaling species — keeping only 1 is a serious welfare risk; aim for at least 6.
- Corydoras Catfish is a schooling/shoaling species — keeping only 1 is a serious welfare risk; aim for at least 6.
Fish behaviour varies. Fishori gives conservative planning guidance based on adult size, temperament, tank size and common aquarium care sources.