View Full Version : Stocked
shimanocono
07-03-2003, 2:46 PM
Is my 20 gallon tank over stocked or under stocked or just right? Here's the list of it's inhabitants.
11 neon tetras
2 red tailed zebra loaches
3 kuhli loaches
1 common pleco (currently only about 1.5 inches)
1 apple snail
Reply by post and/or by poll.
NJ Devils Fan
07-03-2003, 3:28 PM
The pleco and the loaches will be too big for the tank.
That about says it. When those Tetras and snail are fully grown, you will have a nearly full bio-load. Instead of a common pleco, why not go for two SAE's and three Oto's.
ROLLIN
07-03-2003, 8:13 PM
Kuhli loaches dont get very big, I dont think theyd outgrow a 20 gallon.
Hebdizzle
07-03-2003, 8:17 PM
It's good for now... but once that pleco starts growing....
NJ Devils Fan
07-03-2003, 8:19 PM
But the others will as they need a roomy tank. They will grow to around 4" or so, and the kuhlis will get to around 3" each. It really isn't enough surface room for them.
tnlguinn
07-04-2003, 8:30 AM
the loaches are fine, clown loaches get too big for that tank. i voted overstocked only because of the pleco, they can grow to two feet. i have two of the common plecos that are huge, and they are a pain in the rear, always tearing up the tank. if you want a pleco, the clown pleco is a small pleco that might work.
shimanocono
07-04-2003, 9:52 AM
When the pleco gets big I'm going to take him back, I needed soemthing to get rid of the algae and he did it so when he gets to big I'm taking him back but right now he's only 1.5 inches so he's alright now.
NJ Devils Fan
07-04-2003, 10:54 AM
I would bring him back now and get a few otos. They are probably the best algae eaters of them all.
I agree with NJ. Also, better to stress the pleco with the change when it is young rather than when it is more mature. Could you really just "give away" a pet you've had for a couple of years?
NJ Devils Fan
07-04-2003, 9:34 PM
My friend had his for about a year in his 10g tank, and he was very upset when he had to bring it back our LFS. I went with him and I could tell how upset he was.
mogurnda
07-05-2003, 11:15 AM
the loaches will be too big for the tank Huh? I assume by "zebra" shimanocono means Botia striata, which is a 3" fish.
Is this what you mean?
http://www.fishbase.org/images/Bostr_u1.jpg
yashinfan
07-05-2003, 11:38 AM
Can I have more info about this "Botia striata" ?? It looks really interesting!
shimanocono
07-05-2003, 11:38 AM
Yeah thats the fish, I meen except my has a tinge of red in it's tail. I know someojne who knows loaches very very well and he said the laoches would be fine!
mogurnda
07-05-2003, 11:49 AM
I totally agree that they'll be fine. They are sociable, wel-behaved and a perfect size for your tank. The only "problem" with them is that they are only sporadically available and can be expensive.
I think some people might have been posting who hadn't read your post carefully or who don't know the fish.
shimanocono
07-05-2003, 12:07 PM
Yeah, I was at another forum and seen someone with them and I went to the fish store and seen a pair of them thair. they were soemthing like $7.99 each but I had a coupon buy 1 get 1 free so I got the pair. But yeah that was the only time I've seen them in a pet store.
NJ Devils Fan
07-05-2003, 4:10 PM
Look, my opinion is that there are a bit too many loaches for the tank. They need a large area to search and IMO, a 20g tank isn't enough. But hey, you do as you please. I gave you my opinion and other people will give you theirs.
WharfRat
09-05-2005, 8:33 PM
I'd dump that plec now before it gets much bugger and the shop doesnt want it back. I know a lot of shops are doing this these days and I do not blame them. They provide a product its not their job to educate the buyer. Let the buyer beware. A little education goes a long ways.
ashdavid
09-05-2005, 10:45 PM
It has probably outgrown the tank and been moved into a bigger tank by now,I think it has been about 2 and 1/2 years since he posted. :rolleyes:
wannabefishguru
10-31-2005, 9:35 PM
me personally, now do tell me if im wrong but i would get rid of the pleco replace him with another snail they do the same job and if you have snail babies then the loaches would eat them and keep an eye on the striatas cuz they can be semi aggressive.
NJ Devils Fan
10-31-2005, 9:45 PM
Hahaha, thats funny, now that is the all time dead tread revival. The sad thing is that I actually remember that...
wannabefishguru
10-31-2005, 10:38 PM
boy maybe ill check dates next time, i swear i got it off the main webpage.
jennypenny
11-01-2005, 10:44 AM
When the pleco gets big I'm going to take him back, I needed soemthing to get rid of the algae and he did it so when he gets to big I'm taking him back but right now he's only 1.5 inches so he's alright now.
You know LFS won't allways take fish back. Even if they promissed that would. You pleco could take a long time to get "too big" and the shop owers may change their minds. Of course if you planned on getting a bigger tank in the future you could provide him a new home.