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Hello every one!

My 20g tank is empty and I need some help for stocking.

I currently have a male betta in there and I have had cories in there before (without a betta though) but they died because they were constantly being pestered by my black mollie. Only 2 of the 6 survived.

Anyway, how many False Julii Cories could I add into my 20g tall if I had a male betta in there?

Thanks,
~Morgan


~Morgan~

Hi Morgan,
I assume you mean Corydoras Trilineatus.
I think in a 20g, if its a long tank with only
a betta, you could do 10-12 corys at least.
How exciting that will be!



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if its a long tank

Actually, it is a tall. Would the ammount of cories stay the same? Or would it go down?

~Morgan


~Morgan~

Hi,
In the tall, the quantity would go down. The key is the
surface area vs the capacity. A 20G long, has more
surface area than a 20G tall and that surface area is what
exchanges Oxygen and other gasses with the atmosphere thus
supporting more fish.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Thanks Frank.

So about 8 would be fine? The tank is 24" x 13"
Because it is a tall, would I be able to add more fish after the betta and cories?

Thanks,
~Morgan


~Morgan~

Hi,
I'm probably not the best one to ask that question.
Personally, I would not count the Betta. As an air
breather, it is not consuming that much and is only
participating in the ammonia side of the equation.

Tall tanks were originally designed as "show tanks."
These tanks were designed to "confine" a few fish in
a narrow (left to right) space for judges to easily
observe them. This way the judge could stand in front
of the specific tank and the fish could not swim to the
other side to "get away" and force the judge or others
to have to side step to keep them in their "head on"
sight.

Later, they became popular with folks who wanted a large
tank (capacity) that took up less room (smaller "foot
print" ) .

Stocking these "Tall" tanks must, like the "long" tanks,
must depend upon the number of square inches of surface
area and NOT the capacity of the tank. There are charts
somewhere that give recommendations (a rule of thumb) as
to the size and girth of the fish and the NR of square
inches of surface area recommended to keep them. Older
publications used to cite a rule of thumb about the
number of inches of fish per gallon. With todays filters
and circulation systems, that has pretty much been ignored
by the more experienced fish keepers.

Stock lightly, and be successful. Over stock and you are
creating a potential problem.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Er, is the figure you quoted of 24" x 13" the footprint of this aquarium> If so, what is the height? Give full dimensions please!


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

A 20 gallon tall is usually 24x13x16.

I recently set up a 20 tall for my mom with 6 cories, 8 rasboras, and a betta. I think it makes for a perfect small community.

Hoping that there must be a word for everything I mean...

A 20 gallon tall is usually 24x13x16

Yes, that is exactly it! I knew I forgot something in that post, but I was in a rush to get out the door!

I have had that idea before, 'with the 6 cories, 8 rasboras and a betta' but I prefer, like Frank said, a light stocking so there is not 'action' everywhere.

~Morgan


~Morgan~

If it is a tall tank, I would go with only
6-8 corys in the bottom.



Come Play Yahtzee With Me!
http://games.atari.com
Http://www.myleague.com/yahtgames

Thanks! Would that leave me room for a small school of tetras, like say, 6 or 7 glowlights? (Just incase I get bored, but I doubt I will with 7 cories!)

~Morgan


~Morgan~