Overcrowding Help!

[rob16d]

Hey guys, I'm new to this forum!

I had a 60litre tank for a while and have recently upgraded to a 240litres (55gal) tropical set up. Up until a few weeks ago I had 7 small angelfish, 3 small silver sharks, 6 small corys, 10 penguin tetras, 1 medium sized plec apple snails, bamboo shrimp, cherry shrimp and a couple or red tropical crabs. I then bought 3 large gouramis, a small plec and 4 paradise fish.....is my tank overstocked?

 

[jbeechey]

Aq advisor (http/www.aqadvisor.com/AqAdvisor.php) will be able to give you a broad outline on stocking but don't trust it completely. I'm sure someone will be able to give you a more definitive answer soon.

 

[NinjaSmurf]

One: Exactly what are the silver sharks, plecs, gouramis and crabs? Depending on what type they are, you could have some serious stocking issues with these alone.

Two: Crabs aren't really suggested for most communities, as they have a tendency to eat fish.

Three: Angels can get very tall, the 55g I've seen would house them ok, but just how tall is your tank (counting actual swimming space, i.e. not the gravel)

Four: How long was everything in the 60l? Depending on the length of time some of your fish may be stunted.

 

[rob16d]

One: Exactly what are the silver sharks, plecs, gouramis and crabs? Depending on what type they are, you could have some serious stocking issues with these alone.

Two: Crabs aren't really suggested for most communities, as they have a tendency to eat fish.

Three: Angels can get very tall, the 55g I've seen would house them ok, but just how tall is your tank (counting actual swimming space, i.e. not the gravel)

Four: How long was everything in the 60l? Depending on the length of time some of your fish may be stunted.

Thanks for the quick reply.

1. Silver shark is a bala shark? Just standard "three for £20" from local fish shop. I know the new plec is a red gibbi plec? Older one looks similar. Two gouramis are grey with black line down side of them and one is orangey/golden in colour (all three are about 3 inches long each). I have 2 king crabs and 1 "tropical red crab".

2. I was told crabs were OK, they are really quite small and I have plenty of plants, bogwood etc. Have had no casualties with them at all as I make sure I feed them their own pellets

3. Tank is 120cm x 45 x 55?

4. When I sold the 60l i gave away all the fish with it so this is basically a new start. I have only had the tank set up 2/3 weeks and I know I overstocked it for the time period. but i have used test strips daily and performed water changes where necissary....


Rob

 

[NinjaSmurf]

Ok, so exactly what fish are in the 55?


Bala's get very large, at least 12in, I think the min tank size is at least 6ft so I would consider taking them back.

You wouldn't happen to be able to show some pics of the crabs and plecs could you?

 

[tom130691]

shurely crabs n plecs wouldnt get on ?
i want both but i think its a silly idea in a 64litre

 

[rob16d]

Ok, so exactly what fish are in the 55?Bala's get very large, at least 12in, I think the min tank size is at least 6ft so I would consider taking them back.You wouldn't happen to be able to show some pics of the crabs and plecs could you?

I will try and take some pics tomorrow. Smaller plec is DEFINATELY the gibbi plec?

shurely crabs n plecs wouldnt get on ? i want both but i think its a silly idea in a 64litre

My plecs have thier own caves, and crabs really do keep themselves to themselves. It isn't 64litre, its 240litres x

 

[tom130691]

mine is 64 mate lol and i wouldnt of ever got a crab unless i had a decent size tank

 

[rob16d]

mine is 64 mate lol and i wouldnt of ever got a crab unless i had a decent size tank

ah ok, in 240litre they seem to be able to coexist even tho the crab sumtimes climbes right out external filter outtake and then realise its a secure fit and falls right back tot he bottom lol. x

 

[kribensis12]

Crabs are not a good idea. They have a tendency to eat smaller fish, cut down plants, and escape. They are very good at escaping. I had a male and female one time in a 30g tank. One day, they disappeared. I figuerd they crawled out and died. Then, I cleaned the filter. Sure enough, they climed up the intake, and somehow managed to get under the filter lid and into the filtration compartment. They really need some dry land in their tanks. They aren't ment to be under water 24/7, it's not healthy for them. When you buy they at the store, they are always chillin on top of plastic plants that reach out of the water, right? There is a reason for it. Bala sharks need to be in a 5 ft tank, as they get HUGE.

 

[rob16d]

Crabs are not a good idea. They have a tendency to eat smaller fish, cut down plants, and escape. They are very good at escaping. I had a male and female one time in a 30g tank. One day, they disappeared. I figuerd they crawled out and died. Then, I cleaned the filter. Sure enough, they climed up the intake, and somehow managed to get under the filter lid and into the filtration compartment. They really need some dry land in their tanks. They aren't ment to be under water 24/7, it's not healthy for them. When you buy they at the store, they are always chillin on top of plastic plants that reach out of the water, right? There is a reason for it. Bala sharks need to be in a 5 ft tank, as they get HUGE.

The crabs I got were underwater in the fish store. They climb up the filter intake and rest at the top there. But the lid has NO gaps whatsoever. I have the silver sharks now so there isn't anyhting I can do x

 

[Davo86]

Ok firstly red tropical crabs are going to be sesarma bidens, a land crab which will eventually drown or escape if it can't leave the water,
These also should really be kept in a brackish water setup as freshwater greatly reduces their lifespan.

Ok onto the fish, saying you have a small plec and small angels etc is not changing the fact that they will grow into big fish, gibbiceps plecs can quite quickly and easily hit a total length of close to 2 foot, Balas will reach 8-12" and Angels to around 6" long and tall and whilst 6" may not seem that big, 7 fairly territorial Angels combined with 4 territorial Paradise fish is asking for trouble.

Just looking at the stocking very roughly I would say the following would be a more realistic with possibly the upping of the numbers of tetras/corys

4 Angelfish,
6 corys,
10 penguin tetras,
1 plec
3 gouramis,
2 paradise fish
apple snails,
bamboo shrimp,
cherry shrimp

I would also set the 60L up for the crabs if you still have it as they are doomed if kept in their current conditions

 

[rob16d]

Ok firstly red tropical crabs are going to be sesarma bidens, a land crab which will eventually drown or escape if it can't leave the water,
These also should really be kept in a brackish water setup as freshwater greatly reduces their lifespan.

Ok onto the fish, saying you have a small plec and small angels etc is not changing the fact that they will grow into big fish, gibbiceps plecs can quite quickly and easily hit a total length of close to 2 foot, Balas will reach 8-12" and Angels to around 6" long and tall and whilst 6" may not seem that big, 7 fairly territorial Angels combined with 4 territorial Paradise fish is asking for trouble.

Just looking at the stocking very roughly I would say the following would be a more realistic with possibly the upping of the numbers of tetras/corys

4 Angelfish,
6 corys,
10 penguin tetras,
1 plec
3 gouramis,
2 paradise fish
apple snails,
bamboo shrimp,
cherry shrimp

I would also set the 60L up for the crabs if you still have it as they are doomed if kept in their current conditions

AH I'm grateful you offered a stocking plan there. Now that you mentioned it.....2 of the crabs have already perished. There are also 2 "king crabs" which I beleive are fully aquatic??

Last night one of my paradise fish ate a cherry shrimp (PREGNANT GRRR) whole!! The paradise fish are still only small!!

What would I do with the silver sharks....I love them

x

 

[Davo86]

I'm sure King Crabs are a large growing, coldwater brackish to Marine crab so again aren't compatible,
There are no fully aquatic freshwater tropical crabs suitable for your setup,

Paradise fish and Angels will eat shrimp and as they grow will be more of a threat to them,
Unless you can get a 5ft 400L+ tank then the Sharks will need rehoming

 

[rob16d]

I'm sure King Crabs are a large growing, coldwater brackish to Marine crab so again aren't compatible,
There are no fully aquatic freshwater tropical crabs suitable for your setup,

Paradise fish and Angels will eat shrimp and as they grow will be more of a threat to them,
Unless you can get a 5ft 400L+ tank then the Sharks will need rehoming

Again, I dont have any homes for the crabs to go to. How do I go about rehoming sharks....even though they are all quite small (incl angelfish) is it overstocked at the moment (taking into account their current size)? IE. can I wait until they grow bigger to rehome them or should I just do it asap?

x