bottom feeder w/a red devil?

[dbcb314]

Is there anyway I could get a ground feeder to work out in my 20 gal tank, which has a red devil and common pleco? I was thinking a skunk botia (which I have seen with africans) or a pictus catfish (which I have kept with africans). Is there anyway this would work, in such a small tank?

[BigFishDude]

you tank is way way way too small for those fish. Your red devil needs at least a 55g. The devils get to be at least 12 inches.

Also FYI, red devils are central american cichlids ;).

[dbcb314]

i know they get too big for a 20gal, this is temporary until it gets too big. thats not the topic at hand, its weather or not i can put a ground feeder int here

[BigFishDude]

*sticks his tail in between his legs and sulks*

Now, to answer you question. No you can't because your tank is too small :). Anyway, your pleco is considered a "bottom" feeder

[ChilDawg]

It will be too big relative to the bacteria load and surface area for gaseous exchange more quickly if you put something else in with it. A pleco or a doradid catfish will work well for compatibility, but I'd wait until the new tank is ready.

[optix]

Once ya get that bigger tank grab a couple Synodontis Eupterus's. They handle their own.

[Tightdog1]

agree with everybody else get a bigger tank and then thibnk about more fish. get at least a 55g more like a75g

[dbcb314]

I did not think I could add another fish, but I was just making sure. Oh well.

I doubt I will be able to get another tank. I will either clean out my 50 gal, use my 30 gal, or give it away. My dad will probably not let me get a 4th tank (50,30,20) plus my brother has 2 (50,30).

[ChilDawg]

I know the feeling about not being able to get more tanks, but I think that you might want to come to terms with it...I'm not trying to rag on you, but I would strongly urge you to up the filtration in those tanks, and maybe start thinking about which of the fish you like the most. I am offering this in the spirit of friendship, and not in the spirit in which it has been offered in the past.

P.S. There are some pretty interesting fish out there that don't get quite so big as the RDs...I know that they're not *quite* the same!

Edit: And I see above that you are starting to come to terms with that. Glad to see it, and I hope that we can help you make those tanks into the coolest ones possible!

[dbcb314]

Oh it is cool about the tanks. I am glad he let me have the big one, he has had to do a whole bunch of stuff to the thing is sits on, and he had to fix it for me. I may still try to get a 75 gal though. who knows, maybe he might let me.

I bought the red devil as an impulse. The fish did not look healthy, so I was sort of saving it. That fish place sucked. It is fine now though. Also a friend said he might buy it off me if it got bigger, and also the lfs I go to the most said they might buy it.

I have kept smaller fish in the tank, inluding apistogamma species and other fish. I may breed something in it later (krib, con, or somethin else small).

[ChilDawg]

(You do know how we feel about rescuing fish in conditions like that, I hope...I know that you did it before anybody told you the adverse circumstances.)

I'm glad to hear that you have a taker for the RD, but I hope that the 75 will be available for it...fingers crossed from this end.

I'm also glad to see you thinking about tank sizes, and what can legitimately go in the tanks...and having contingency plans ready in case tank space runs out! We flamed you at first, but as long as you ask mature questions and give mature answers as you have been of late, you are a very well-received member of the community. As long as you strive to keep it that way, we'll be glad to continue to help you!

(We are glad to hear that the Devil has gotten his due and has been well-kept since the store experience.)