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Hello everyone, I'm fairly new to this hobby, but rather enjoy & find myself becoming addicted to my new housemates. I have been @ this like 8 months but never did any research until recently. 1st I have a 20G lg, but I'm afraid its overstocked. I do plan on getting a 55G in the near future, probably after the holidays. This is what I have:
1-blue loach 3"(which I though was a red tail shark, what a dummy)
2-blue Goramis 2"
1-paradise fish 1 1/2" (which I implemented into my tank B/C my girlfriends had 2 males which were destroying each other)
2-zebra danio's & 1 spotted 1 1/4"
4-cherry barbs 1"
1-bristlenose Pleco 3"
The Paradise fish has been in the tank like a month & the Barbs about 2weeks.
There seems to be no social problems between species but I dont wanna loose any of them b4 I change them over in a month or two. The tank has some live plants (not sure what they r) & ample hiding places (cave made of slate & 3 ceramic roc formations)



By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
Socrates-
I happen to have become a philosopher

First off, I had to look up the blue loach because I didn't know what it was, it does look a lot like a red tail shark. Now the profile on this site lists it as getting to 9.8 inches, the gouramis at just under 5 inches, so just with those 3 fish, assuming they were at adult size, you have stocked your current tank. You've already mentioned that you plan to get a larger tank after the holidays so we'll skip the ritual flogging for being overstocked.

So, to answer your other question about keeping them alive and well until you get a new tank... first, have you tested your water recently? If you test regularly then you can tell when your tank needs a water change. I would recommend staying on top of your water changes, say 15-20% every week until you get your new tank set up. Let me know if you have any more questions and good luck with your tank.

-Beth

p.s. Almost forgot, you might want to get your zebra danios some more friends, they are known to sometimes be nippy but they seem to settle down more with a group, I'd wait 'til you have the bigger tank, though.

Your tank, at this time, sounds OK. As stated above, just keep up on your water changes. However, several of the fish you have listed, have some growing yet to do. So, before long, your tank will be very much so over stocked. But, for a couple of months, you should be OK.

I would keep an eye on the paradise fish, as these can be very bosterous, and since related to the gouramis, it may cause trouble. Just watch him.

HTH....

_____________________________________________________________

There is always a bigger fish...

The only thing that sounds remotely OS about it is the Red tailed blue loach. They grow in excess of 8", so suffice to say he needs to be moved out of there ASAP.

I really do like the Blue Loach & really wanna keep im, besides what would I do w/ him. H e hasn't bothered any of the fish & he's been in there 6 months. Do u think he'll be too big for a 55g, I have read that they would b fine in a tank that size. Once in a while he & the Bristlenise will get in a shoving match but thats about it. If anything the only concern I have is that the 2 blue Gouramis go after each other, as I was supposed to get a male & a female & I think they gave me two males. The Paradise fish has been perfectly humble thus far & really stays to himself.

Last edited by wiseives at 12-Dec-2004 14:03

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
Socrates-
I happen to have become a philosopher

Not too bad. I would get rid of the goramies and the paradise fish if i were you. Keep up with regular water changes and you should be ok for a few more months.

Do u think he'll be too big for a 55g, I have read that they would b fine in a tank that size.

It will stunt... at about 6 inches I reckon... Which will lead to health problems and eventually a premature death. These fish need at least a 90G aquarium. These fish get quite aggressive when full size, they have been known to eat neons and other small tetra during the night.

You should give it back to the pet store or to someone with a proper tank.

Also, you should get more danios, 6 of each species to form proper schools.

Finally, keep an eye on the paradise fish, they can be fin destroyers.