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Old January 7th, 2009  
Fish Helper
 
How do I calculate how many fish?

I have a 12 inch by 24 inch, 20 gallon tank but I have heard a couple of ways to calculate how many fish I should have. I will NOT be using full bodied fish, they will be thin and mostly between 2-4 inches. Anyway I heard that 1 inch per gallon rule but I also heard a rule that says to find the surface area of the base and divide by 12 (this would give me 24 inches, I have heard about this method in several fish books.) What do you use and what do you think I should do and why? Thanks so much!
pestonoodle is offline  
Old January 7th, 2009  
Fish Master
 
1 inch of adult fish per gallon of water.
The easiest way to figure it out
Amanda is offline  
Old January 7th, 2009  
Fish Master
 
one inch per gallon is more of a guideline than a rule, but it really depends on what kind of fish you have.

having said that, what kind of fish are you considering?
agabr123 is offline  
Old January 7th, 2009  
Fish Master
 
Personally I never use those tricky little equations...
I just research the individual needs of each fish, and then figure things out from there.
pinkfloydpuffer is offline  
Old January 8th, 2009  
Fish Helper
 
I am probably going to get some Zebra danios and a couple Dwarf Gouramis (since I have had success with them in my original tank) but I am having real trouble finding bottom level (as in swim near or at the bottom of the tank) fish that are fairly easy to take care of- I am a beginner so if you recommend something (please do!) make sure it's not super hard to take care of.
pestonoodle is offline  
Old January 8th, 2009  
Fish Master
 
Cories are a good bottom feeder for beginners.
Amanda is offline  
Old January 8th, 2009  
Fish Master
 
I'd say cories, or a small variety of pleco such as the bristlenose.
pinkfloydpuffer is offline  
Old January 8th, 2009  
Fish Master
 
Or a clown.
Amanda is offline  
Old January 8th, 2009  
Fish Master
 
clown loach? i have to disagree with you on that one, they get too big for a 20 gallon and need to be in groups.

i'd say cory cats or otos. i personally have cory cats and i love them! they prefer to be in groups though, 4 or 5 would be best.
agabr123 is offline  
Old January 8th, 2009  
Fish Helper
 
This is a freshwater, heated aquarium- 20 gals.
pestonoodle is offline  
Old January 8th, 2009  
Fish Master
 
I believe she meant clown pleco
pinkfloydpuffer is offline  
Old January 8th, 2009  
Fish Master
 
lol my bad
agabr123 is offline  
Old January 8th, 2009  
Fish Master
 
Yeah, sorry!
I meant a clown pleco.
I have one.
He drives me crazy, but he's cute.
Amanda is offline  
Old January 8th, 2009  
Fish Helper
 
why does he drive you crazy?

also, do pleco's need anything special because all I have is your average Aquarium rocks sold in 25 lb bags. Will they do OK with that or does that not work for them?
pestonoodle is offline  
Old January 8th, 2009  
Fish Master
 
awww, i've never seen them before! so cute, maybe i'll get one for my new 29....
agabr123 is offline  
Old January 8th, 2009  
Fish Master
 
most bottom feeders would prefer sand, not 100% sure about the pleco specifically, but definitely for my cory cats, as they have very sensitive barbels
agabr123 is offline  
Old January 8th, 2009  
Fish Master
 
He hides ALL day, coming out at night.
So I really don't remember that I have a pleco unless I'm cleaning the tank & he scurries away. Plecos can have any substrate, and like to eat blanched veggies.
Amanda is offline  
Old January 8th, 2009  
Fish Helper
 
Sorry if this is a dumb question but what are blanched veggies? If they are what I think they are then how exactly do you feed them to your fish? Thanks
pestonoodle is offline  
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