Newbie6

I just added 2 small angels to my 20 gal tank- they're in there with 4 giant danios, 2 black skirt tetras, and 2 plecos. They seem to be overwhelmed by their new surroundings and their activity level is way down- they both hide together under some rocks, only coming out to eat. I'm worried because I added them about 5 days ago, I figured they'd be better adjusted by now. Is there anything I can do to help them out? Could the activity level of the danios be a problem for them? Thanks

Jonah

Hi an Welcome

but its not good news i am afraid

Your tank is way overstocked and I dont think it will have cycled yet.

If you can return the angels and the plecos. a 20gal cannot support 2 plecs and it is too small for the angels.

you really need to read these guides http://www.fishlore.com/BeginnersGuides.htm with particular reference to the nitrogen cycle guide.

AlyeskaGirl

Small Angelfish are sensitive. Angels get 6 inches. Giant Danios get up to 5-6 inches, very active and should be in a bigger tank cause of that. What kind of plecos do you have? The common/sailfins get up to 12 inches and are huge waste producers. Your 20 gal is also overstocked, and not cycled according to your aquarium info. You need to take all the fish back to the store is my advice. Do some research starting with the link below and then go from there

Your Tetras can stay but be prepared to do daily 50% water changes using Prime as a water conditioner. Good luck!

http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

Newbie6

Not cycled? I had the tank empty for weeks, then added the danios 2 at a time over the course of two weeks- I've read the guide before, so I thought I'd be through all that. I used a starter bacteria and waited for the nitrites to go to 0 and the nitrates to lower to a safe level-they're at 10 now.

Do I have any other options besides returning the angels? They are quite small...

Thanks for your help!

Newbie6

oh wow, I do need to update my info...sorry

AlyeskaGirl

Yes, you do!!!

But your tank is overstocked, even if you take back the Angels.

Jonah

the 2 empty weeks will have done nothing for the tank. The cycle will take 4 - 8 weeks to complete usually

The angels are quite small at the moment but they will grow, and grow, and grow and the ywill get far too big for a 20 gal

The plecs if the are common sailfins will get to 18-24" each

The also produce loads of waste

NitrItes need to be at 0 to be safe

NitrAtes have a safe level of <20

the starter bacteria rarely work and even those that do need a source of ammonia to grow so if you put them in the tank ad did nit feed the tank then they will have died out

AlyeskaGirl

The only thing that proves to cycle a tank is Tetra Safe Start within 7-10 days.

Newbie6

I think thats what I used!!
Could I have actually done something right? haha


I would really hate to take those angels back...they're absolutely georgous...Heck, I'd even rather take em all back but those two if it would help!

Again, thanks to you all for your quick help- I really do appreciate it.

AlyeskaGirl

You used TSS!!! Great!

Regardless of what you choose to do is that your 20 gal tank is not large enough for a shoal of 4 Giant Danios. They are too active that's why a bigger tank is better. A 55 gal suits them much better. Lots of runway, lol!!!

http://www.freshwater-tropical-fish-...ant-danio.html

Newbie6

I actually was planning on passing them on to my dad's 55 gal- I was only going to have them to help cycle the tank. Especially seeing how the angels are struggling with the activity of the tank, I'll move them soon for sure. Can I keep angels in a 20 gal (even for a relatively short period of time) if I clear some space for them??

AlyeskaGirl

I don't see why not. I actually have 5 Angels, 4 in my 55 gal and the other is in my 20 gal., he was bein a typical Angel so got moved for now.