Stocking advice

[JBird1298]

Hi...new here.

I have a 20 gal that's currently stocked with 5 Kuhli loaches, 4 cory cats, and a Chinese algae eater. I've been thinking about adding some cherry barbs. Could a 20 gal keep 6-8 cherry barbs? Or If anyone have suggestions on something what would be a better fit. Thank you .



My ph. is around 7.5 to 8.0

 

[m.j.gomez]

Hi...new here.



I have a 20 gal that's currently stocked with 5 Kuhli loaches, 4 cory cats, and a Chinese algae eater. I've been thinking about adding some cherry barbs. Could a 20 gal keep 6-8 cherry barbs? Or If anyone have suggestions on something what would be a better fit. Thank you .







My ph. is around 7.5 to 8.0

Hello, not the fish police just wanting to give a heads up. Your Chinese algae eater will give you problems later down the road. They can reach 5+in & become territorial as they get bigger. It will become aggressive to your coolies & cories.
Most will say it needs a 55gal tank. Hope this helps you!!!!!

 

[Colin_T]

Hi and welcome to the forum

What are the tank dimensions (length x width x height)?

What is the GH (general hardness), KH (carbonate hardness) and pH of your water supply?
This information can usually be obtained from your water supply company's website or by telephoning them. If they can't help you, take a glass full of tap water to the local pet shop and get them to test it for you. Write the results down (in numbers) when they do the tests. And ask them what the results are in (eg: ppm, dGH, or something else).

Depending on what the GH of your water is, will determine what fish you should keep.

Angelfish, discus, most tetras, most barbs, Bettas, gouramis, rasbora, Corydoras and small species of suckermouth catfish all occur in soft water (GH below 150ppm) and a pH below 7.0.

Livebearers (guppies, platies, swordtails, mollies), rainbowfish and goldfish occur in medium hard water with a GH around 200-250ppm and a pH above 7.0.

If you have very hard water (GH above 300ppm) then look at African Rift Lake cichlids, or use distilled or reverse osmosis water to reduce the GH and keep fishes from softer water.

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I'm with m.j.gomez regarding the Chinese algae eater. They are problematic fish that can reach 10-12 inches long (smaller in your tank), and are highly territorial when mature. Take it back to the shop and get a refund.

Depending on the tank dimensions and water chemistry, a group of 6-8 cherry barbs should be ok, but post the tank size first.

 

[JBird1298]

Thank you!!! I've had the algae-eater for almost 6 years without an issue, He can get a little over exited about food but has been pretty chill with the other bottom feeders .
I got him when I was not NEARLY as experienced and knowledgeable. I keep a close eye on him and will continue to do so.

The tank is a 20 gal high, with dimensions of 24" x 13" x17". We do have well water, which is on the hard side, although I don't know the exact GH. Ph is approximately 7.5.

 

[Colin_T]

If the algae eater is 5 years old and hasn't caused any problems, it should be fine.

Tank size is ok for 6-8 cherry barbs but well water can be really hard and might be too hard for the barbs, Corydoras and Khuli loaches. The Cories and Khulis like water with a GH below 150ppm. The cherry barbs prefer water with a GH below 200ppm.

Perhaps take a sample of well water to your local pet shop (when you head out there next) and get them to test it for you. Make sure you write the results down in numbers and what they were measured in (ppm, dGH, etc). If the GH is low enough, then grab some cherry barbs.

 

[JBird1298]

Thanks Again! Just tested the water with API test strips (I know not the most accurate but
that's what I had on hand) and the GH came back around 180ppm.... It's a little on the high side but could they be acclimated to my water perameters, or should I go with a different species? What ever I get for my tank I want them to thrive not just survive in my
aquarium

 

[Colin_T]

A GH of 180ppm is fine for those fish

 

[JBird1298]

Thank-you so much for the advice!!! I'm definitely going to give them a try .