overcrowded?

[jhelen]

Hi

at the moment i have a 20g (uk) with 2 angelfish, 4 platies, 2 clown loach and a common plec

at the moment they are all small but i have found out there are too many in there for growing to their full size

i want to swop the plec and catfish before it gets too crowded..but my b/f wants fish that will clean the tank/eat the algae..would a few panda corys and a octclinous catfish be ok or should i not replace them at all?

 

[clutterydrawer]

You need to get rid of both clown loaches and the plec. If you get otocinclus to eat algae, get maybe 3-4 of them as they like some company of their own kind. I don't know if you can fit in panda cories too as I don't know the volume of your tank, its surface area, or how big your other fish get maybe someone less clueless will come and give you some advice.

 

[jhelen]

ok i will work out the volume..does anyone know how to do this??

thanks

 

[Cheese Specialist]

I think the only fish that is ok in that tank is the platies.

Angelfish, need a tank of 18" high and most give them 10gallons each as well as for whatever for the other fish. They get to 6" long and 8" high and are semi aggressive.

Clown Loaches are capable of getting to 12", they grow to 6" quickly and then grow more slowly. They also need to be in groups of 3+.

Common Plecs can get to 18" and need a big tank and huge filtration to keep their water safe. They create a lot of waste meaning pressure on the filter and they need a lot of water to keep the levels diluted enough to be safe. Not to mention the size of tank needed just to allow a 18" fish to move around and be comfy.

Cories do not eat algae but otos do. They would be a good idea for your tank.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

ok i will work out the volume..does anyone know how to do this??

thanks

length x width x height in cm. Divide the answer by 1000 to get it in litres.

length x width x height in inches. Divide the answer by 279 to get in UK gallons



Edit: Errrr...you said it was 20gallons in the title. My earlier reply was in thinking the tank was that size.