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How is my current stocking?
I have a 20G freshwater tank. Here is what is currently in it:
3 black neon tetras
3 long fin rosy barbs
1 Blue Ram
1 mediumish sized albino shrimp (2-3x as big as a typical ghost shrimp)
Any suggestions would be appreciated especially in regards to over/under stocking. I was thinking of adding another 2 black neons.
The tank is well planted with driftwood and a cave. :)
So if I add 2 more black neons and maybe one more long fin rosy I should be good than.
The shrimp does a pretty good job of clean up so I'll just keep him instead of adding any other bottom feeders
It's been my experience and most that I talk to that the rosy's don't reach those lenghts in captivity, just the wild ones get to 5.5-6 and that 3-4 inches is the maxium lenght these guys hit in the typical aquarium, espeically the various morphs like my longfinned ones. One of those I've had for at least 3 years now and its around 3in's max...maybe 3.5 and its beautifully colored and healthy. Also most resources I've look at have put the minimum tank size at 20-30G. I do research, thanks.
This tank is a work in progress, I'm rebuilding after my heater malfunctioned and killed everything but the shrimp and one rosy. I just dont want to add everything all at once which can be horrible for the water quality. I'm also rather aware that the Blue Ram needs good water quality which is why he was the most recent addition to the tank so that the water is already "old" and established. Its not good to add them to a new tank right away.
Please don't address me like I'm an ignorant child, thank
I'm definetly open to suggestions presented in a reasonable and intelligent manner that give the benefit of the doubt.
For example I'm well aware I should at least add another 2 black neons which I will do after the next water change.
3 Answers
- Aquella BSL=BSLv 71 decade agoFavorite Answer
You are way overstocked, and improperly so.
- If your aquarium is a "long" rather than a "tall" version, the Neons should be OK. But, you need to add at least 2, as they, along with all Tetras need to be kept in groups of 5 or more.
- The Rosy Barbs need to go. These fish grow to be 5-6 inches long, need to be kept in groups of 6 or more, and need a bare minimum of 30 gallons, though 55+ gallons is really more appropriate.
- The Ram is OK, but make sure you keep your aquarium under stocked and your water perfect. They won't put up with lousy water quality.
-The Shrimp is fine.
I suggest that you up your Neons to around 10, (you could mix blue and black, 5 each if you like,) rehome/return your Barbs, and call it a day. The Neons and the Ram will fully stock you.
Finally, never ever ever(!) listen to any stocking advice that mentions the inch-per-gallon "rule". This "rule" doesn't take the fish's activity level, grouping needs, wast/bio load, and height, among many other things, into consideration and should never be trusted. You simply have to research and understand the specific fish's requirements BEFORE you bring them home.
Edit:
OK, let me give you a hint. I don't know you. I don't know anything about your aquarium, fish keeping experience, or lack thereof. All I have to go on is what you post in your question. I think you'll agree, that's pretty limited.
What I do know, just from your question, is that you have a tank full of fish in improper numbers, some of which don't belong in the tank to begin with. I also know that you were advised in another answer that you have plenty of room for additional stock based on inaccurate measurements plugged into an inaccurate "rule".
Fine, let's assume that your particular Rosy Barbs are only going to grow to be 4 inches max. (I’ve seen these fish @ 5”. IMO, many are stunted from improper volume/poor water quality, which is why they stay small.) You still need 6 of them, and you still don't have room for that many 4 inch fish in a 20 gallon tank along with additional stock. Again, length is an important factor here. If your 20 gallon is a "long", Rosy Barbs would probably be fine. If it's a "tall", it's not sufficient.
You said, "Any suggestions would be appreciated especially in regards to over/under stocking." You're overstocked. If you're just looking for validation for cramming too many fish into too small a space, and keeping them in too small of groups, fine. But attacking people who answer your question is in poor form. Geesh.
Source(s): Experience. - 1 decade ago
I would have to say that seems pretty good!
The black neons take up about 1.3" of space each (about 4").
Rosy barbs- about 3" of space each (about 9")
Blue ram- 3"
and your shrimp barely puts out any bio mess.
So the totals are about 16.5", that is pretty good! You could keep it that way, or if you want to push it a little, trade out the shrimp for 3 or 4 cory cats? They would eat the pieces that your bigger fish missed, but you'd have to get the mini corys (under 2")
Good luck!
- 1 decade ago
You're fine on stocking. could probably add a few more as long as your biological filter is strong. Also, don't forget to get a hiding place for your shrimp.
