Do I need to separate these two guys

[Simonebrigham]

A bristlenose pleco only grows to about 4 inches or so. Otos are pretty small but you need to have a shoal of them. The snails and shrimps you already have will eat algae.

Didn't know that the shrimp are kinda cool the way swim they float around little tiny angels

 

[Simonebrigham]

How big is your pleco? 3-4 inches big or truly huge? (I'm hoping against hope it's a bristlenose)

No it's truly huge he looks prehistoric in a cool way but I don't want him suffering if this 8snt big enough for him maybe that's why getting territorial but I defuse to give him back to to pet store I just looked up a I don't know what proper name is but sell just sea life and fish it's in Charlotte but it's not that far but would he last in transport it's like a 30 min drive

 

[Rocky998]

No it's truly huge he looks prehistoric in a cool way but I don't want him suffering if this 8snt big enough for him maybe that's why getting territorial but I defuse to give him back to to pet store I just looked up a I don't know what proper name is but sell just sea life and fish it's in Charlotte but it's not that far but would he last in transport it's like a 30 min drive

30 mins is just fine. Just bring a cooler and towels to cushion the fish bag in there. That's how I transported my fish.
Just try not to make any stops on the way home lol

 

[sharkweek178]

No it's truly huge he looks prehistoric in a cool way but I don't want him suffering if this 8snt big enough for him maybe that's why getting territorial but I defuse to give him back to to pet store I just looked up a I don't know what proper name is but sell just sea life and fish it's in Charlotte but it's not that far but would he last in transport it's like a 30 min drive

If you're that concerned about it, you can get a battery operated or rechargeable air pump to keep some air going in there on the trip. It's good to have in case of blackouts anyways.

 

[Simonebrigham]

Or if they sell them at least be honest about the size they get

 

[Rocky998]

Or if they sell them at least be honest about the size they get

Yah definitely. Like: "By the way before you buy that guy he does reach a massive size so you will have to get a larger tank in the future"

 

[sharkweek178]

Didn't know that the shrimp are kinda cool the way swim they float around little tiny angels

They have a light bio load too. But the one big disadvantage to shrimp is that many fish see them as a snack.

 

[sharkweek178]

Yah definitely. Like: "By the way before you buy that guy he does reach a massive size so you will have to get a larger tank in the future"

With a common pleco it's more like "you're going to have to dig a pond in your yard".

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

Yah definitely. Like: "By the way before you buy that guy he does reach a massive size so you will have to get a larger tank in the future"

There aren't many tanks that can house a full grown common pleco either. A pond really is the only reasonable solution for someone who wants to keep them, and not a tiddly little pond either.

OP, consider returning or rehoming the Chinese Agae eater too. As you've discovered, they're fine when small, but as they grow they get more territorial and nasty, and the other fish will pay for it. Same with a red-tailed shark, which get far too big for a 20g, and will make your other fish miserable in the 55g.

I'm sorry you've been mis-sold fish, and had such a rough introduction to the hobby! It's admirable that you got a much bigger tank to try to house them all, and I understand that you've named them and got attached. But as a pet owner of any kind knows, you have to be realistic about whether you can provide them with what they really need, and it's really not possible to house a common pleco, a red-tailed shark and a Chinese algae eater happily for their lifespans in a 55g and a 20g, let alone with the other fish you have. In these cases, rehoming, or returning so the stores have to face rehoming these fish that they sell as cute little juveniles, not as the tank busters they become - is the right thing to do, for the fish as well as yourself.

For future refence, and so you can figure out how to provide the best for your other fish, a reliable source is Seriously Fish. They have detailed profiles on most any of the species of fish you're likely to encounter, and you can trust the info given there. There's a lot of misinformation online and from the stores, as you've found, but if you look up your current and any potential future fish *before you buy them!!* you'll be in a much better place.

Gyrinocheilus aymonieri – Sucking ‘Loach’ (Gyrinocheilus kaznakovi, Gyrinocheilus monchadskii) — Seriously Fish

www.seriouslyfish.com

 

[Westieone]

There aren't many tanks that can house a full grown common pleco either. A pond really is the only reasonable solution for someone who wants to keep them, and not a tiddly little pond either.

OP, consider returning or rehoming the Chinese Agae eater too. As you've discovered, they're fine when small, but as they grow they get more territorial and nasty, and the other fish will pay for it. Same with a red-tailed shark, which get far too big for a 20g, and will make your other fish miserable in the 55g.

I'm sorry you've been mis-sold fish, and had such a rough introduction to the hobby! It's admirable that you got a much bigger tank to try to house them all, and I understand that you've named them and got attached. But as a pet owner of any kind knows, you have to be realistic about whether you can provide them with what they really need, and it's really not possible to house a common pleco, a red-tailed shark and a Chinese algae eater happily for their lifespans in a 55g and a 20g, let alone with the other fish you have. In these cases, rehoming, or returning so the stores have to face rehoming these fish that they sell as cute little juveniles, not as the tank busters they become - is the right thing to do, for the fish as well as yourself.

For future refence, and so you can figure out how to provide the best for your other fish, a reliable source is Seriously Fish. They have detailed profiles on most any of the species of fish you're likely to encounter, and you can trust the info given there. There's a lot of misinformation online and from the stores, as you've found, but if you look up your current and any potential future fish *before you buy them!!* you'll be in a much better place.

Gyrinocheilus aymonieri – Sucking ‘Loach’ (Gyrinocheilus kaznakovi, Gyrinocheilus monchadskii) — Seriously Fish

www.seriouslyfish.com

A lot of good suggestions on here. Yes, the pleco can grow big, I currently have one in my 360 gallon tank and it’s 20 inches and very shy. The Chinese algae eater can be very aggressive and I’ve heard that they will suck on other tank mates, and someone already said they don’t eat any algae.
You might have too many fish, but when your new to the hobby as we all were at one time, enthusiasm will sometimes lead to overstocking a tank. I’ve been in this hobby for over 30 years and I’m still learning!
Good luck!