Is My Tank Overstocked?

[$MONEY$]

Hello All
I have a 29 gallon aquarium that is currentlly stocked with 2 firemouths,1 turquoise severum, and 6 tiger barbs. I was wondering if my tank is overstocked? If not what else could I add.

[Harlock]

That tank is ust too small for the Firemouths in my opinion. That tank is just plain too small for a Severum. The barbs should be fine in it. So, not so much overstocked as just too much fish in too small a tank. The cichlids would be much happier in a 55 if you could get a hold of one.

[WinterWind]

Get the cichlids out (trade them, upgrade tank, give them away), since they get too big for a 29 gallon and won't be happy and will continually fight, be cramped, etc. Keep the barbs, and add some other fish like cories.

[$MONEY$]

The only fish that might outgrow the tank is the sevrum. The FMs and Convict only get about 4-5 inches. So I am not to worried about those 3. The sevrum does worry me a little just because it has potential to outgrow the tank. But I think it is only the males that reach 9+", females usualy 6-7". I think mine is a female because it lacks the markings that males usualy have. Also I wont return the fish and get community fish because I already have a 60 gallon community tank. If the sevrum gets to big I will probably see how he does in the 60 gallon.

So far every one is peacfull with one another so I ll wait and see.

[Candycat21]

Just to set things straight, a Firemouth will outgrow that tank. I had a pair of FM's that got a nice 71/2 - 8 inches a piece.
The convicts wouldn't really be too big in that size tank, but with everything that you have in that tank, once everyone reaches their adult size you are going to run into problems with lack of territory and space for all those fish. As they get bigger, they will require more personal space and if there isn't enough they will be aggressive and harrass each other to the point of killing one fish or another.
The Severum needs a larger tank as well, but it seems that you are aware of that already. ;)
The barbs will be fine in the 29.
Honestly, IMO if you have the money and space, upgrade to a larger tank like a 55gal if you don't want to part with any of those fish, otherwise look into finding homes for the severum and FM's at least.
With good feeding and clean water conditions/dilligent tank maintenance all those fish will reach their max size regardless of the fact that they're in a 29.
Good luck with everything and please keep us updated on how things go and what you decide :dance2:

[$MONEY$]

I am going to keep all of them for now. If there are problems I will trade them in or get a bigger tank.

[Harlock]

My question is a simple one for you, $MONEY$: Why ask if your tank is overstocked if you don't intend to fix it? You could simply have not asked and then we wouldn't have looked into the fish species sizes and all and you could still have kept them in overcrowded conditions. Just a thought is all. Best of luck to you and especially your fish.

[Harlock]

:duh:
Yes, forgive me. I try not to be as blunt as others. I had hoped you'd have noticed the tongue in cheek aspect. Let me rephrase it again. The tank is overstocked as soon as you put the severum in it. Better? That is what I meant. The tank size is completely inappropriate for the Severum and firemouths to put it even more bluntyly. That's what wrong size tank means. Forgive me for holding back. I shall spell it out plainly for you in the future.

[tornangel012]

Back on Topic, IMO get a bigger tank, MUCH bigger if you intend to keep all of them and don't wait till it becomes a problem, they are mostly aggressive fish that you have listed and will have HUGE territory problems shortly. Even with only tiger barbs in a species only tank I have aggression problems. Severum, I didn't even consider one for my community 90 gal .

If your going to try to keep them all also make sure you have PLENTY of territories for them to claim like caves, heavy planting ( to help dissuade the chasing/flaring)

Good luck.