options for cohabitants

[Ramrebel]

I currently have a clown loach, an oto and a japanicus shrimp in with two plants

20 g is a lot of water for that crew - any reccomendations/suggestions as to what to add?

thanks

 

[malkore]

Well, the clown loach should have at least 3-4 other clown loaches, as they are a very social fish.
however, a 20gallon isn't very large, and in fact a small school of clowns will quickly need a 55 gallon tank, though 75+ is preferred as clowns will eventually hit 8-9" in length.

 

[Ramrebel]

are 2 more clowns feasible?

 

[Aquathumb]

Sure, a trio of clowns and maybe 4-6 of the smaller variety of tetras. Another good choice may be some hatchets or white clouds--- something that prefers the upper area of the tank.

 

[Feynman]

african butterfly fish are good top of the tank fish spending 98% of their time at the surface. they enjoy tall/surface plants.

 

[Ramrebel]

checked out the butterfly

http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/gpantodon.html

looks cool but high-maintenance and he might eat my shrimp or oto

 

[chrism]

in my 20 gal i keep, redeye tetras, cardinals, ottos (believe these guys like to be kept in numbers more than one, so maybe a few more of them? i've got 5) bolivian rams, bristlenose catfish, and will be getting some panda cory's soon

in my other tank i will be keeping tiger barbs


where does your otto hang out? Ive heard they like broad leafed plants... if you have any what species are they? - thanks

 

[malkore]

more small clowns are ok, but keep in mind they'll need a larger tank within a year.

 

[Ramrebel]

out of curiosity, what happpens when fish outgrow the tank

for instance, i put 10 2" loaches in a 20g ( i wouldn't do this now that I know better)

but what if?

 

[chrism]

imagine 10 x 8-9" clown loaches in your tank! ... if they could grow to full size, which they wouldnt, they would either die through water conditions, bigger fish = bigger poo and more of it or they would die because their insides would continue to grow while there outsides stop... kinda like gold fish in a bowl

Or you could look at it this way... 2" is about 4.5 times smaller than 9" so if your tank is 24" x 12" x 18" like mine is, it would kinda be like having 10 x 2" clown loaches in a 5" x 2.5" x 3" tank


where does your otto hang out? Ive heard they like broad leafed plants... if you have any what species are they? - thanks

 

[malkore]

have you ever been in a full elevator? imagine that...24/7..and the door never opens so the air gets stagnant.

given food and water, you'd live for a long time. but you'd be in poor health, and very unhappy.

 

[Ramrebel]

ok, makes sense

i don't want unhealthy/unhappy fish

my oto likes to hang onto the amazon sword stem - i don't think he's actually eating it tho

i'm gonna try 2 more clowns and 2 more otos

do they really continue to grow internally only - that's freaky

i guess that's like me trying to get into my pre-holiday jeans on january 1

 

[chrism]

i guess that's like me trying to get into my pre-holiday jeans on january 1 - haha god do i know that feeling!! Yea i believe they do,

thanks, no they don't eat it, just the algae etc and im sure he will apreciate his new friends as will the clown loach