How many is to many fish for a long 20g?

Durbkat · Sep 12, 2005

I have a long 20 gallon that has 2 lonf finned black tetras and 3 regular black tetras and a common pleco. So I was wondering how many more black tetras can I put in their could maybe I put 2 or 3 more tetras in their or would that be to many fish?

houndour · Sep 12, 2005

Hi there, how big is your pleco? I'm sure you've been told before that they can get big.

Durbkat · Sep 12, 2005

He is about 5" long and I know about him getting big and I have a plan on wht to do when that happens. So how many more black tetras can fit in their? I was think of getting 2 or 3 more and maybe some more fake plants.

houndour · Sep 12, 2005

i reckon you could get a couple more of the tetras if you have plans for the plec.

I'm sure the fish would appreciate more fake plants too. Makes them feel more secure.

Durbkat · Sep 12, 2005

Thanks so two or three more? And should I put so many plants in their you can barley see the gravel or just a couple more I already have 7 or 8 fakes in their? Oh and does it matter if I get two or three long finned black tetras or should I get or two of each?

houndour · Sep 12, 2005

This website says they grow to 7cm, which is nearly 3 inches. http

/www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_blackt.php

How soon do you plan to rehome your plec? And how big are your current tetras?

I wouldn't get anymore tetras unless you know for certain you are going to rehome your plec.

If you tetras are still small you could get 2 more now. I didn't realise how big they grow though. I was thinking of the blank neon tetra in my head.

As for plants...get what you think is right, but don't over pack it so they have no swimming room.

Durbkat · Sep 12, 2005

My biggest long finned tetra is about 2" long not counting the fins which are about 3/4 to an 1" long, the smallest long finned black tetra is barley 1" long and is fins are about 1/4 and inch long. And the regular tetras about about 1 1/2 inch long each. And I plan to rehome the pleco once he gets to big for the tank like mabey 10 to 12" long depends.

Durbkat · Sep 12, 2005

Any suggestions would be appriectied soon please, because I have to get off the tinternet soon.

yvez9 · Sep 12, 2005

your pleco will probably stunt before 10 inches... a 12 inch pleco is a massive 3/4 pound fish, way too big for a 20 gallon. rehome him as soon as possible as he might be stunted already...

Durbkat · Sep 12, 2005

Unfortuntly I think thats true because I have had this pleco in 10 gallon for about a year before I learned about their large size and he's only about 5" long. So is he stunted?

cyprinut · Sep 12, 2005

Probably not yet.
The problem is that he will put an increasingly heavier load on your bio-filter, affecting your water quality. Pooping machines, those plecs.
5" pleco = 5-6 small tetras IMO.

Durbkat · Sep 12, 2005

WOW! didn't realize that it produced as much poop as 5 to 6 tetras. :blink:

Any ways would he be ok if I had to put him in a pond if the lps won't take him back? And would the tank be ok if I put 2 more black tetras in it with the 5 tetras in their and the pleco?

yvez9 · Sep 12, 2005

are you talking about an outside pond or indoor pond? an indoor pond would be ok

fish_keeper2 · Sep 12, 2005

i think he may mean outdoor. i think a 5 inch plec is equal to more like around 8 small tetras ie neon. glo lite etc. do the normal and long finned black neon scholl together. if not i would get rid of one group or the other and make the remaining group larger. the porblem is that the plec has pretty much outgrown this tank and produces a high bioload. do to plecs being from the amazon being in outdoor pond probly wont work especialy in the winter. i would call all the lfs in twon and see if they will take him and i would take him to the one you trust the most once hes gonna you have no prob getting more black neons.

Durbkat · Sep 13, 2005

Not yet because their is only are five in their and I think I need to add more fake plants because they seem to hide alot. And sometimes the 2 long finned tetras and 1 or 2 of the 3 regular tetras will follow them. And I will be adding 2 more tetras 1 long finned and 1 regular tetra or just 2 long finned so I can have an even number of each type of tetra.