DaveH

I have a 20gal tank. Fully cycled over the past 2 months.

I now have: (all fish are much smaller than their projected adult size)

2 tiger barbs
2 albino barbs
2 green barbs
1 panda cory cat
1 spotted cory cat
1 albino cory cat
1 pleco
1 rainbow shark

I would like to add:

1 swordtail
1 platy
1 molly/dwarf gourami (not sure which)

Does anyone see a problem with this tank. Am i close to overpopulating it?
I do weekly 25% water changes and the water is kept at 78 degrees. All chemical levels are stable.

What would you suggest that i add to the tank if you feel the swordtail, platy, or molly / dwarf gourami are a bad idea?

Looking for all opinions, please share some knowledge.

Chief_waterchanger

What kind of pleco do you have? If it is a common plecostomus they get to 18 inches and need atleast a 100g tank by the time they are full grown.

DaveH

I am aware of this, I'm pretty sure i just have a common pleco. I plan to donate it to a larger tank once it outgrows mine, however now he is only about 3 inches long.

susitna-flower

Thing is Dave, Plecos are huge waste producers, and it is going to foul your tank, BELORE it gets to the size you want to donate it. People also get attached, and find it hard to get rid of later on....which is exactually the reason so many of us have multiple tank syndrom MTS!!! We have all been there, done that! So now I have a 125 gallon, with two lovely plecos. A Royal, and a Sailfin, which started off in my 55 gallon. BUT I still say a common should NEVER be in a 20 gallon tank!

Your tank is already overcrowded, and you just can't think of putting the other fish in you want. Maybe you could look on craigslist, or in the paper for a used 55 gallon set up. Sounds like you are already ready to upgrade......

Barbrella

Totally agree. Those barbs are semi-aggressive fish as well, and will become more aggressive as they grow in that too-small tank.

Of course you can cram anything you like in there, but you'll be disappointed with the ultimate results.

joshthefisherman

flower is right and i would try and upgrade although i no it is much easier said than done due to the time and money invovled although i think you have a pretty well stocked tank

angelfish220

sounds like a fun tank to watch! I would get a 55 (200 if you can afford) and you will be amazed at the things you couldnt see before, and I would take the pleco back if hes that small a lfs would take him.

Blub

angelfish220

I dont know if you have to take all the cories back... Sometimes they adopt each other and they might be schooling right now but you have a tank to small to see it. I would get a bigger tank then put the fish in and see if they are schooling if they are great keep them if not then choose your fav kind and return the rest and get him a school. but the first step is getting a bigger setup.