•24 fish in a 20 gal: OVERCROWDED?

[memeaquarist]

Hey!

I am a beginner in the aquarium hobby.
I own a 20 gallon tank.
I have 24 tropical freshwater fish living it.
I have lost 5 in the last 2 weeks[emoji853] But I replaced them.

I have read several articles about overcrowding, but the lady at my local fish store said that I could keep up to 40 tropical fish in my tank, so I thought 24 would be fine.


They seem to be happy and healthy for the most part, but I feel like I am doing many things wrong.

My aquarium has a filter, heater, natural plants,
natural gravel, a log and some rocks. (Hiding spaces provided).

Many people have told me I lost those 5 fish due to stress caused by the transition. I really don't want to make them suffer and I don't want to lose anymore fish.

What can I do? Am I doing something wrong?

 

[dalto]

What fish are in the tank currently? How long has it been setup? You are probably losing fish due to toxic levels of ammonia or nitrites due to having a partially cycled tank.

You should read up on the "Nitrogen Cycle" and test your water for Ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrate.

Lastly, you should find a new fish store.

 

[memeaquarist]

What fish are in the tank currently? How long has it been setup? You are probably losing fish due to toxic levels of ammonia or nitrites due to having a partially cycled tank.

You should read up on the "Nitrogen Cycle" and test your water for Ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrate.

Lastly, you should find a new fish store.

Thank you so much! No one at the store told me about the nitrogen cycle or tests for ammonia and those things. I live in Latin America in a very small country, hard to find that kind of stuff in there. Anyways I have:

• 2 guppies
• 5 neon danios
• 2 mollies (balloon)
• 2 neon tetras
• 3 tiger barbs
• 3 bottom algae eaters (1 pleco)
• 3 black tailed- platies
• 2 rosibarbs

 

[memeaquarist]

Thank you so much! No one at the store told me about the nitrogen cycle or tests for ammonia and those things. I live in Latin America in a very small country, hard to find that kind of stuff in there. Anyways I have:

• 2 guppies
• 5 neon danios
• 2 mollies (balloon)
• 2 neon tetras
• 3 tiger barbs
• 3 bottom algae eaters (1 pleco)
• 3 black tailed- platies
• 2 rosibarbs

Oh and the lady told me I didn't have to go through the cycle for some reason I did not really pay attention to. She just gave me water she had already prepared in separate bags and told me to use those and I put the fish not so long after. (minutes after) It was all so quick, we went to the store, she told me to select the fish I wanted, prepared the water, we set up the tank, put decorations in, filter heater lights, then we quickly put the water and fish in.

 

[sa1nt02]

It's not cycled yet what are your water parameters do you have a test kit

 

[Barliman]

Yeah, I'd stop shopping at her store; she's giving you terrible advice. When you get a test kit, check the water parameters for your ammonia and nitrite readings. I'd also consider starting large water changes (50%) daily with water treated with a good water conditioner, such as Seachem Prime. Do *not* trust her "magic water."

Also, based on the fish you mentioned, I'd say you're probably overstocked (What kind of filter do you have?) and that you have incompatible species. At a minimum, I'd take the tiger barbs back to her or, if she won't take them, find another store that will. Also the plecostomus is a big waste contributor: I'd probably do the same with him and not get another until the tank is stabilized.

And don't panic: we're here to help.

 

[fishenthusiast]

•24 fish in a 20 gal: OVERCROWDED? [emoji47]

Yeah, I'd stop shopping at her store; she's giving you terrible advice. When you get a test kit, check the water parameters for your ammonia and nitrite readings. I'd also consider starting large water changes (50%) daily with water treated with a good water conditioner, such as Seachem Prime. Do *not* trust her "magic water."



Also, based on the fish you mentioned, I'd say you're probably overstocked (What kind of filter do you have?) and that you have incompatible species. At a minimum, I'd take the tiger barbs back to her or, if she won't take them, find another store that will. Also the plecostomus is a big waste contributor: I'd probably do the same with him and not get another until the tank is stabilized.



And don't panic: we're here to help.

I agree with the above statement.

Also look into returning the Rosy Barbs if possible. They can get 6+ inches. I made the same mistake of putting some in my 30 gallon about 4-5 years ago. If you ever get room in that tank, Cherry Barbs would be a nice fish.

 

[Autumnsky]

Read through my signature thread link about getting started, and also this one below about doing a fish in cycle.

As a new tank keeper these will help give you the building blocks of nformation to be able to keep a nice tank!

Aquarium water from the store's tank will not make a cycled tank.

Also agree about rehoming some fish especially the Pleco if it is a common pleco which can get 18 inches / 45cm.

Fish-in Cycling: Step over into the dark side - Aquarium Advice