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
Schooling welfare — a shoaling species is below the safe minimum group size. Review supporting points next, then re-run the check.
Primary issue: Schooling welfare — a shoaling species is below the safe minimum group size. Hard conflicts on file (water, pairing, size, or bettas) — resolve red items before fine-tuning decor or food. 18 fish across 3 species in 60L. Shared temperature 20–26°C. Stocking: balanced (load index 47 vs ref 60).
Your stock
Schooling welfare — a shoaling species is below the safe minimum group size. 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. Elevated risk verdict — we bias toward safety; your reading of specialist sources still matters.
Pair compatibility for any two species · Fish library
Critical problems
- Ember Tetra is a schooling/shoaling species — keeping only 6 is a serious welfare risk; aim for at least 8.
- Otocinclus is a schooling/shoaling species — keeping only 4 is a serious welfare risk; aim for at least 6.
Water overlap
What every fish can share at the same time
Shared temperature: 20–26°C
Shared pH: 6.0–7.0
Shared temperature range for all species: 20–26°C.
Shared pH window: 6.0–7.0.
Stocking pressure
balanced
Load index 47 vs conservative reference 60 for 60L (adult cm × quantity × bioload weight × territory factor).
Swim-zone distribution
Fish-weighted zone use — top 0.0, middle 16.0, bottom 2.0 (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 + Otocinclus: Ember Tetra and Otocinclus: Identification or trade-name ambiguity for at least one side, so this is a cautious read, not a green light. Plan for adult sizes, a stable shared water window, and individual behaviour; verify against a second reference you trust.
Pairs checked: 3 · RISKY pair flags: 0 · CAUTION: 1
Fix this setup
Grouped by scenario — work through each block in order
Schooling & group sizes
- 1.Add more Ember Tetra to reach at least 8 individuals, or remove the species.
- 2.Add more Otocinclus to reach at least 6 individuals, or remove the species.
Layout & swim zones
- 1.Add structure (caves, tall plants) and consider species that use under-represented zones.
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.
Beginner difficulty
advanced
- Includes intermediate species — stable parameters matter.
- Serious compatibility or tank-size issues — not a beginner layout until resolved.
Schooling / group size
- Ember Tetra is a schooling/shoaling species — keeping only 6 is a serious welfare risk; aim for at least 8.
- Otocinclus is a schooling/shoaling species — keeping only 4 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.