Am I Overstocked?

[Phishy25]

I think I maybe overstocked, so would like your opinions. I understand I will need a bigger home for my clown loach at some point, but have plans in for a 5x2x2 tank for next year. I have recently rehomed most of these fish from other people so feel for the meantime they are in a happy environment.

They are in a 264l planted community tank. Eheim external.

2 angel fish (currently 3" tall)
2 clown loach (currently 3" long)
4 green neon tetras
5 neon tetras
7 harlequins
4 dwarf neon rainbow fish
1 golden sucking loach ("Munchie" was an illegal immigrant that was hiding in my plants purchased at P@H, he is behaving at the mo and currently 1.5")
1 otto
1 glow light tetra
1 bleeding heart tetra
10 amano shrimp
20 cherry shrimp (currently in fry net until they grow a bit bigger)

I want to up the tetra's, but think I might be overstocked

 

[moochy13]

I think I maybe overstocked, so would like your opinions. I understand I will need a bigger home for my clown loach at some point, but have plans in for a 5x2x2 tank for next year. I have recently rehomed most of these fish from other people so feel for the meantime they are in a happy environment.

They are in a 264l planted community tank. Eheim external.

2 angel fish (currently 3" tall)
2 clown loach (currently 3" long)
4 green neon tetras
5 neon tetras
7 harlequins
4 dwarf neon rainbow fish
1 golden sucking loach ("Munchie" was an illegal immigrant that was hiding in my plants purchased at P@H, he is behaving at the mo and currently 1.5")
1 otto
1 glow light tetra
1 bleeding heart tetra
10 amano shrimp
20 cherry shrimp (currently in fry net until they grow a bit bigger)

I want to up the tetra's, but think I might be overstocked

i dont know about stocking levels, but if you do have room these fish ive marked could certainly do with another 4 or 5 buddies each. oops sorry didnt see you were already aware of the tetra thing, but your otto would benefit from it aswell.

 

[karin]

You are probably okay with the stocking if you rehome the clown loaches (get way to big for your tank and need a grouping of 6 or more) and the golden sucking loach which I think means a chinese algae eater, which are okay when 2 inches or smaller but then start attaching to other fish to suck their slime, is my understanding. You angels would be prime targets. Rehome him. Know that your angels will likely eventually eat the cherry shrimp at a minimum. Angels are cichlids and it is what they do.

Also remember that school fish need a minimum of 6 to school. Also yes the oto likes to be in groups.

Finally please research research research before you buy.

 

[Phishy25]

My clown loach will be going into a larger tank next year. They are only babies at the moment and are quite happy and healthy. I think I will put my cherry shrimp in their own species tank, so they don't get eaten. I have only purchased the cherry shrimp. The other fish were offered to me from friends etc. I wouldn't selfishly purchase fish I knew were too big for my tank.

I understand the sucking loach/chinese algae eater maybe a problem in the long run, but like I said he is behaving

 

[onebto]

Your Clown Loach may look happy and healthy but there are only two of them they need there own kind its not a case of schooling they are very social fish and to just keep a pare of them is not really fare on them.

Regards onebto.

 

[Phishy25]

I know everyone is trying to help and answer my questions, but I can't help but feel that there is a very negative vibe on this forum. If you haven't got a bloody clue and kill all your fish you are just told to "try again" and read the info in the beginners section. End of! 50% of these people will go on and make the same mistakes, but those who ask for help because they want to do the right thing seem to get quite agressive replies I have set up a fully planted, matured (fishless cycled) aquarium and help my friends and fellow members out by rehoming their fish (some of which are quite old). I then give them a life long home.

I cannot add more clown loach as my tank is obviously too small. The clown loach I had were being kept in a very tiny tank so I offered to home them until I get my larger tank next year when I will increase their numbers. Surely for now they must be happier in a larger tank or I could take them to my LFS and let them swim with 100's of other clown loaches kept in tiny sale tanks! I know it's not ideal, but they are not showing any signs of disease, are eating well and have a nice aquatic environment (with correct water stats) with bogwood and live plants. But like other members on this forum I feel I am being shot down for only having two!

 

[moochy13]

i think the problem is that everybody and their granny gets sold clown loaches, regardless of their tank size. nobody at the LFS says its a foot long fish and needs 5 buddies, and though ive not been on the forum long, at least every other day somebody new signs up and says they have 3 clown loach in a 5G tank or something. i'd like to say its not their fault its the LFS, but to be fair 30 seconds on google is enough time to find out most tanks are unsuitable for them.

you have indeed given them their best chance i think, precisely for the reason above. if they go back to the lfs theres a chance they'll be put in a tiny tank again, and sold to somebody who couldnt be arsed to check up on them. unfortunately, theres a still a chance you could stunt the fishes growth, but its the best of 2 evils i guess.

some people on here are very blunt, and being a member of other various forums for much longer than ive been here, i know how much the same old questions/problems grate on regular users, especially if they are scenarios that could be easily avoided by pulling your finger out a bit and not expecting everything on a plate.

i cant see anything youre doing is wrong. i assume the single tetras are refugees in your tank ? and the oto? as you say, youre doing them a favour, especially if you have got room and can get them some mates.

 

[Phishy25]

Thank you Moochy13 I hate the thought that people think I don't give a toss about my fish!

i cant see anything youre doing is wrong. i assume the single tetras are refugees in your tank ? and the oto? as you say, youre doing them a favour, especially if you have got room and can get them some mates.

yes the single tetras came with the neons and the shrimp. I want to increase their numbers, but don't want to overstock my tank.

 

[onebto]

I am afraid you have misinterpreted my response to your question.

I am unable to comment on your stocking I did not feel confident in doing so and there are more experienced in this subject than I but I have researched kept and studied Clown Loach for some time now so felt I would offer support in Karins suggestion on the social requirements on that particular species.

It is a shame you mistook it for aggression as it was not my intent as that (aggression) would serve no purpose what so ever the last reason I would join any forum.

All that I can say is when you have a larger tank I do hope you get some more Clown Loach as you will see a completely different side to Clown loach they are the most amazing fish.

Again sorry that you misunderstood my post as aggressive it was not my intent.

Regards onebto

 

[Phishy25]

Sorry Onebto, I took a couple of the replies the wrong way! All I want is the best for my fish.

 

[onebto]

Sorry Onebto, I took a couple of the replies the wrong way! All I want is the best for my fish.

Easily done and as for wanting the best for your fish then I applaud you for that and I am sure we will all on the forum help you to the very best of our ability.

Regards onebto.