Overstocked ?

[sweeney_jones]

Guys,

I have recently set-up a new medium sized tank and just can't stop buying fish !!! I started with the common breeds that I am used to, but have just found some Killi's and love em !! Also, if anybody can see any species conflicts there let me know. All fish are pretty small and new, all seem to be getting on OK at the moment.

My tank is 76cm (w) * 40cm (h) * 32cm (d) I calculate that around 20 gal ?

In my tank I have . . .

Pair Gardneri Killi (1 inch long)
10 Small neons
4 female guppies (All laiden with fry) (Killis will have a picnic soon)
2 male guppies
Pair large mickey mouse platties
2 Bristlenose cats
2 Cordys
2 Khuli loach
8 Small / medium Platty fry / young. (Killis are liking them)

2 Moss balls
2 Pices of bog wood, one planted up with Java fern
A rocky corner with silver slate from Loch Lomond

3+ Fuval Filter
Heater (Temp set at 78 deg)
Medium Gravel substrate

I will try to get a pic posted in the next few days. I think the set-up looks good, I'm just worried I'm getting carried away ! I just know if I see some more nice killis like the ones in the LFS across the road . . . I will just HAVE to get a pair !

Thanks
Bob

 

[Cheese Specialist]

I think you are way overstocked for a 20gallon (although I did not check that was right).

I would not put one bristlenose in a tank under 30, never mind 2 in an already overstocked 20gallon. They create huge amounts of waste, although they are not very big and can play havoc with your parameters.

I also think you are overcrowded up top. I have a tank that size and I can't imagine having all those fish in it.

JMO

~ Dana ~

 

[Ben]

yeh, it is a bit over stocked

 

[toggle]

people whould say your waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay overstocked as it is, but personally i cant moan coz im a nubling

Is your tank cycled or not?

 

[sweeney_jones]

Thanks Guys,

So by "Up top" you mean the guppies and Killis ? Perhaps I should take it down to just a pair of gups. And perhaps stealing all those Platty young from my dads tank wasn't a great idea . . . he can have em back ! lol

He's also got a massive red tail shark and a large kissing gram he wants me to take on. The sahrk is about 15cm and the gram the same, they seem WAY too big for my tank if it was empty, never mind with all the fish I have already !

Thanks
Bob

 

[sweeney_jones]

Yeah, my tanks cycled and water is tested every other day for now.

I'm doing a 25% water change weekly, and checking / cleaning my filter pads weekly too. Not clean too much tho ! and always just a rinse in tropical water.

Anything more I need to do to maintain this overstocked (for now) tank well ?

Bob

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Perhaps try and do water changes twice a week, as long as your levels are ok your fish will be ok. I would just be worried that they might be overcrowded and not physically have enough space.

You can definatly not put a kissing gourami in that tank, these guys get massive! I know someone on here has a 9" one and to top it they are pretty aggressive. A RTBS is also a big no no I am afraid.

Adding more plants will help keep your levels safe as these consume amonia, nitrite and nitrate to help them grow.

You can't have just one male and one female guppy as the male will harass the femae to death. 3 females to one male is prefferred although 2:1 can work. Because of this (and the fact you are overstocked) if I were you, I'd rehome the female guppies. Then you keep the more attractive males, reduce your stocking and prevent being overtaken with guppy fry all in one.

I think if you were to rehome the platy fry and the female guppies you would be ok in terms of physical space. I am just not sure about those bristlenoses and their capacity as poo machines.

HTH

 

[willywonka099]

Too overstocked ....... I would suggest a 29 gal. nd move the guppies b noses the khulis and 10 or 5 neons .... and then you could add some more corys to the 20 the b noses would have MORE THAN ENOUGH room in the 29 if they are the only ones on the bttm .... you could even maybe add one more but dad is super aggressive after breeding

 

[sweeney_jones]

Damn Bristlenoses . . . . and they look like lovely harmless little things at only 2cm long.

Well actually one of them look really deformed anyway, when its on the glass its belly looks hollow. It has an arch underneath that doesn't touch the glass ! Where as the other lil fella has all of his body touching the glass. So who knows, I may be down to one soon anyways !

Them guppies are about to drop and I'm hoping (sorry guys) that the fry will make good killi food. Otherwise I'll have to fish them out and send them over to the LFS with the platties, for his "Any 5 fish for a pound" tank.

Thanks guys, keep the advice coming !
Bob

 

[clutterydrawer]

i know the bristlenoses are small now but they'll reach at least 4" and are very broad and, as cheese_specialist said, put loads of strain on your filter.

it's possible the "hollow" bristlenose isn't getting enough to eat. what are you feeding him?

 

[abstract]

sounds like it is DEFINITLY NOT getting enough to eat ..... you're throwing in algae wafers daily right?

 

[Cheese Specialist]

sounds like it is DEFINITLY NOT getting enough to eat ..... you're throwing in algae wafers daily right?

Yup, there won't be enough algae to sustain 2 bristlenoses in a tank that size. They can be fed algae wafers, plec tablets and veggies like cucumber and lettuce.

 

[sweeney_jones]

Thanks again guys,

I've only had the bristles 3 days, and I noticed he was like that when I got back from the LFS. I was too busy inspecting my killis at the shop to look at them 2.

And yes, I've just got some algae wafers and bang in a couple a day. The corys and guppies seemed to pay them more attention but no doubt the bottom guys find them at night.

I take it I just hurl slices of cucumber in with a weight and they will be ok ? Do I need to prepare it ? And what about courgette, is it just a case of par-oiling it and then doing the same ?

Thanks
Bob

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Errrr, I dunno what par-oiling is but if it involves oil, no. Boiling, yes if you want. Oh, was it a typo?

Anway, yes to the cucumber bit. And put the wafers in at night once you've turned the light out, other wise you're just adding more waste to your tank and they're not getting fed.

 

[sweeney_jones]

TYPO mate . . . it is still early . .

I meant bar-boiling obviously . . . just boiling the courgette for a couple of minutes, or will they take it raw ?

Bob