I currently have a roomy 20 gallon tank with 20 fish inside. Some are under an inch long while a couple are three or more inches long. All of my fish seem very happy with the area they have, but I read that you should have a gallon per inch of fish. I have a lot of empty space in the tank and was considering getting some more fish (specifically neon tetras, black neon tetras, and clown loaches) to build up some schools. Should I stay with the number I have or is it safe to build up my tank? No rush on this question, thanks!
2007-08-29 15:24:20 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
I don't remember all of the breeds of fish that I have so I can't list them, but I can list how many fish of each size I have...?
2007-08-29 15:34:19 · update #1
I agree that the " per gallon rule is bogus, but I also agree that an overstocked tank is harder to keep clean and healthy than un understocked one. If you aren't happy with 20 fish, why would you be happy with 30? It sounds like your tank is pretty full to me. and even with all tiny fish it would be full. Don't just take into account your fishes present, but also their future. How big do they grow to? What happens as waste builds up and you can't control it anymore? If you need to build up schools you should think along the lines of less species to fit in higher numbers of those you want to keep.
On top of that, you really need to research fish before you buy. How can even one clown loach, which can grow to over a foot long, be happy in a 20 gallon tank?
Your best bet is to think less about how many types I can keep and more about how can I do best for the few species I want to keep. In a tank this size there's no reason you should have more then, say, 4 or 5 species of fish - each that stay small permanently, each in their own school or given the proper size territory.
2007-08-29 16:35:35 · answer #1 · answered by Ghapy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
WAYYY too crowded! Do you realize yoru fish will grow? Clown loaches can reach 6"! Tetras at least 2-3" ! I would only put maybe 5-8 tetra sized fish in a tank that big. Less is definitely more when it comes to fish tanks. You don't want to have the exact amount of fish you possibly can. I have a 16 gallon with 2 bettas and a loach, and nothing else. And I feel bad even for those 3. I think you need to REDUCE the numbers in your tank by at least half- and please don't even think about getting more!!!
2007-08-29 22:35:49 · answer #2 · answered by Dreamer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT GET ANY MORE FISH!!!
It's not a matter of "empty space". The fish breathe with their gills. Gills need plenty of space to work properly.
Also, fish waste (pee and poop) change the chemistry of the water. The more fish, the faster it changes. That's bad news.
These chemicals are toxic and will kill the fish.
It's fine for now, but in a just a little while, you will have a mass die off.
Pet stores have lots of fish in their tanks, but they do 50% water changes EVERY SINGLE DAY!
Don't get anymore fish and consider "re-homing" some of the ones you have.
2007-08-29 22:33:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I definitely agree with the others. No more fish, especially loaches. You should actually think about trying to give some of the fish back to your lfs!
2007-08-29 22:43:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Forget the BS about the 1in per gallon rule, that doesn't mean anything
Please give me the exact count of how many fish on which species, and i can tell you what else you can add or not add
hope that helps
good luck
EB
2007-08-29 22:31:19 · answer #5 · answered by Kribensis lover 7 · 1⤊ 4⤋
If it is a 20 high stopadding fis 20 high idk!!
2007-08-29 22:50:40 · answer #6 · answered by Kyle S 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋