What to add?

[Jhens737]

I have a 20gal tank and a couple fish have slowly died over the past year, nothing odd, just normal deaths. But I am thinking of adding another fish. My current fish are listed below - any suggestions?

Red Tailed Shark
Upside Down Catfish
Albino Pleco
Ram
Swordtail

Also, will the fish grow more now that a couple of died?

 

[OrionGirl]

In a 29, I would suggest a pair of UDC to make the current one comfortable, and maybe a pair of swordtails. In a 20, I'd probably just go with a few more swords. This tank isn't ideally suited for the current fish--the pleco is likely going to outgrow it, since the commons get up to 18 inches, though some kinds will remain small. The redtail could become a problem--they get around 7-8 inches, and can be very territorial. Adding more fish could increase that aggression.

As for growing more--it depends. How big are they now?

 

[Jhens737]

The redtail is about 4, the pleco is only 2. from what i've read, the albino plecos will only grow to 4 or 5. they are not aggressive now and weren't when i had the other two in there. i even had five neons when it was a newer tank.

i don't really like the swordtails, looking for something a little diff't

 

[beviking]

Originally posted by Jhens737
...Also, will the fish grow more now that a couple of died?

Are you asking if the fish will grow more simply because there is more room? Like, the fish is full grown at 4", now there is more room it will grow to 5"? If so, then no. Fish grow to their full size (though poor nutrition and/or environment may stunt them).

 

[TKOS]

I would agree with either some more sword tails or platies (practically the same fish afterall).

The albino pleco could be one of many kinds of plecos which can grow anywhere from 4-18 inches. Many albinos tend to be the more common pleco that can reach 18 inches in size and creates a ton of waste.

 

[The Inspector]

I wouldn't add anything until you take issue w/redtail and pleco. they will both outgrow that tank.
Maybe, now is the time to start thinking about something a little larger to accomodate them.

 

[Jhens737]

Re: Re: What to add?

Originally posted by beviking


Are you asking if the fish will grow more simply because there is more room? Like, the fish is full grown at 4", now there is more room it will grow to 5"? If so, then no. Fish grow to their full size (though poor nutrition and/or environment may stunt them).

I thought fish grew based on the amount of oxygen in a tank and with less fish, each fish would have a larger portion of oxygen available to it (if that makes sense). Maybe the question should have been "will they reach their largest size faster, now that their are less fish in the tank?"

Hope that doesn't come off as really stupid, but I don't know.

 

[TKOS]

As was mentioned fish will always grow to their full size unless something prevents it. This is generally lack of food or poor water conditions. Once a fish has been "stunted" it will no longer attain its full size and will probably also have a shortened life span. So removing fish will probably have little to no effect on your fish. Either they have been stunted already or they are on track to getting larger. Time will tell.

 

[beviking]

Originally posted by TKOS
...As was mentioned fish will always grow to their full size unless something prevents it. This is generally lack of food or poor water conditions.

Lack of oxygen will slow there growth too. Matter of fact, it stops them from growing!

Originally posted by Jhens737
Hope that doesn't come off as really stupid, but I don't know.

Don't worry about it Jhens, we weren't born with the knowledge either! Although I wonder about a few here that might have been...........

 

[Must4ng s4lly]

The Plec will be fine till it grows more.... probably can trade it to an LFS in a year or so. If it is a bristlenose ablino it will probably be fine for a longer time. The rest are fine except the Red tail could get agressive. Definitely need another friend for the catfish.

Trade the sword tail and get a small school of some tetras....if you want