Tank Size Requirement for BN Pleco

[Aptos]

I've had my bushy nose pleco for about a year now. He's fully grown at about 4.5-5" in length. He's in my 20 gallon long tank (30"x12"x12") and I've got two pieces of driftwood he likes to hang out on during the day.

I'm thinking my tank may be too small for him seeing as how he traverses the width of the tank in about two tail swipes. Should I give him up so he can be in a larger tank? Or will he remain happy in my 20 gallon long tank?

Thanks.

Pic of tank:

 

[tanker]

IMO a 20 is fine for one or two. It is not a swimmer like danios, barbs, ect.

 

[lateinningmagic]

IMO a 20 is fine for one or two. It is not a swimmer like danios, barbs, ect.

:iagree:

I have 3 BN Plecos in my 20g long (same as yours), but they are not yet full grown, so its no problem now. When they reach adult size I'll be moving one of them into the 37g tank. Which happens to have the same exact footprint of the 20g long tank.

 

[fishorama]

You're right at the minimum tank size for him I'd say. What else do keep with him? If the tank is lightly stocked, he's ok. But if you think he's crashing around when other fish are sleeping, it might be better to rehome him.

Mine is kind of a spastic swimmer, sitting for long periods then thrashing his tail around to move a few inches or across the tank.

 

[Aptos]

What else do keep with him?

Total Stock:
1x Blue Gourami (full grown)
2x Gold Barbs (full grown)
2x Bloodfin Tetras
4x Zebra Danios
2x Yoyo Loaches (small ~1")
1x Trinidad Plecostamus (2.5")
1x African Dwarf Frog
1x Rainbow Shark (3.5")

and of course the full grown 4.5-5" BN Pleco.

 

[jpappy789]

Have to say that the majority of the stock is going to outgrow that tank...

Only the danios, tetras and BN are suitable for that size IMHO. And of course the ADFs.

Trinidad pleco = Pterygoplichtys punctatus ? If so, yikes!

 

[fishorama]

You're gonna need a bigger tank! I'd agree with jpappy, most of your fish need more room or to be rehomed. A 55g would be barely enough, a 75g better plus bigger groups of loaches, tetras & danios.

It's hard to not overstock when the fish are so small but you need to think in terms of adult sizes. Yoyos should grow to ~4 inches in a year, then a couple more gradually. Rainbow sharks about the same & it'll become aggressive in a small tank. I hope it's well covered, the jump.

 

[Aptos]

Yea, thanks for the advice. I'm thinking of finding a new home for the gold barbs, and the BN pleco. They're full grown and I think they'd be happier in a larger tank.

Plus I've been checking the water params daily and the way the nitrates keep rising I need a 20% water change every 3 days. I think I might be overstocked :/