Big Mistake - What Do I Do Now?

[Shelly-Bells]

Here's my problem: I bought a tank many years ago with the intention of keeping my snake in it. Snake never used it. I was told the tank was a 60gal. so at the beginning of this year when I finally used the tank for fish, I began stocking it as though it was a 60gal. (I actually thought I was overstocking then but lady at LFS assured me I had LOTS of room ) Yesterday I measured the tank out of curiosity and discovered I actually have a 45gal! Here's what I have: 7 Black Skirt Tetras, 6 Congos, 6 Diamonds, 6 Black Neons, 4 Botia Kubotai, 2 baby Bristlenose Plecos. I have 2 large hanging filters and it's a planted tank, if that makes any difference. I feel so dumb because I thought I was doing everything right; cycled tank, researched all my fish, added them slowly. What can I do? TIA for any advice.

 

[K.J.]

Honestly you aren't that overstocked. The only thing I'd take back would be the loaches and maybe one of the plecs.

 

[OrganizedChaos69]

Hold on whats the problem?

 

[Shelly-Bells]

The only reason I bought the loaches (although I have grown to quite like them) is for a small snail problem that snuck into my tank on a plant somewhere along the way. Will the store take back fish? I didn't know that. Apparently I'm full of questions , what should I do for the snails if I take back the loaches?

 

[K.J.]

Well you don't need to take them back now, as long as they aren't permenant.

 

[Shelly-Bells]

Hold on whats the problem?

LOL! Sorry, I guess I rambled. I believe I have too many fish, now that I've discovered my tank is smaller than I thought.

 

[OrganizedChaos69]

If youve got snails, loaches will always be your best friend. So I'd definately keep them. Actually I think all of these fish will do fine in your 45.

 

[Shelly-Bells]

If youve got snails, loaches will always be your best friend. So I'd definately keep them. Actually I think all of these fish will do fine in your 45.

That would be quite a relief!!! I panicked a bit! I've really grown to love all these fish, and I wouldn't want them to be unhealthy.

 

[K.J.]

Well not quite, she has about 85 inches with the loaches, 65 without. It'd do much better without the loaches, IMO.

 

[celaeno]

next time, don't listen to lfs advice.

 

[Shelly-Bells]

next time, don't listen to lfs advice.

I knew it seemed too much for even a 60, but the lady seemed so sure! These are the people we're supposed to be able to trust for advice. Wish I had known about this forum 6 months ago!

 

[OrganizedChaos69]

Well your assuming the loaches full lenght. I've had a pair of loaches for 8 years, and they are still 3 inches long. Have grown one inch since I bought them. It's very safe to assume for right now, your fine the way it is, if they grow to long lenghts and the tank appears, then, overcrowded, its time to upgrade, but now you are fine.

 

[K.J.]

Normally when caculating tank stocking you do it full size. But anyhow, until the snail problem is sorted out yes I'd keep the loaches, however sometimes pet shops don't want them as much when they're bigger. I wouldn't worry for a couple of months.

 

[OrganizedChaos69]

Yes normally thats how it's done, but in reality, the majority of fish won't reach quite the maximum length. BTW that length is likely the maximum possible length. Using the knowledge I have about specific fish and how fast they grow, It's safe to assume that the loach will not grow more than 8 inches. I go by sizes that I mathematically calculate in my head. Which, I know many will frown upon, but it's not realistic nor possible for very many people to follow these "strict" rules of fish keeping and purchasing. I mean in one post, someone said that about a 30 gallon was too small for 3 simple goldfish.

Techinically they can all grow well over 12 inches and that would need a 75 gallon. Someone suggestes that they should immediately buy a 75 gallon tank. Thats ridiculous. We aren't all made of money. It's simply out of the question. Those three goldfish will live healthy long lives in a 30 gallon tank as long as they are well cared for. I go by my own system of acceptable stocking, because I have tons of experience with others, in a store setting, and on my own and some of these guidlines and rules are ridiculous and unfeasable at times.

 

[K.J.]

While the first topic is certainly quite right (about the maximum size of those fish) but goldfish are MASSIVE waste producers and while two fancies in that tank is fine, a common IMO deserves nothing less than a pond.