overstocked, compatible

eng55

Easy E
May 14, 2005
22
0
0
39
Ames, IA Iowa State University
I recently got a 20g from a friend and got it all up and running. I stocked it with two kissing guarmis, three black tipped catfish sharks, and 3 small spotted plecos, it this too much or could i get a couple of smaller fish. They seem to get along alright because they are all the same size right now. I am afraid that if I let them get bigger and put something small in there that they will terrorize it to death. What do u guys think?
E
 
If this is your black tipped sharks:
Hexanematichthys_seemanni_1.jpg

Your tank is severely undersized for those fish. They're more commonly referred to as Colombian Sharks or Colombian Catfish. They are also brackish fish, which are purported to require full marine water to thrive as adults.

What kind of plecos, exactly? I've seen plecostomus sold as "spotted pleco", and if that's the case your tank is also far too small to properly house them as they grow.
 
I agree, Even if they all seem to fit in tank fine now, those fish are going to grow. The kissing gouramis are supposed to grow to 12 inches, let alone how big those other ones are going to get. And fish do not grow to the size of the tank. they will just die once there is not enough room for them.
 
Agreed, not one of your fish belongs for any lenght of time ina 20 gallon tank. Dwarf gouramis are a better choice, cory catfish and maybe tetras or small barbs like cherry.
 
PLEASE take those fish back to the store and exchange them for something better suited for your size tank. Any of the fish that TKOS suggested are some good starting points.
As said earlier, all the fish you have right now are going to get at least a foot in size and def need a much much larger tank. The sharks are brackish water fish and do need to be kept in a marine/salt water tank when they reach maturity to live and thrive.
 
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