Question About Stocking In New Tank

[Synaesthesia]

Hello everyone,

I had small tanks when I was a child but have only just now started trying aquariums as an actual hobby. Basically, my question is whether the following fish will fit in a 15 gallon (approx. 57 liters) normal rectangular tank. It is moderately plant, has been cycled, and water tested. pH, alkilinity, etc are all fine, as is temperature.

I currently have 2 small angelfish that I got a few days ago in the tank. They're doing great -- they're eating, swimming about... and I think they're becoming quite fond of each other because they follow one another around. They are about 1-1.5 inches right now.

Would I be able to fit the following fish in the tank?

1 blue dwarf gourami
a few gold mystery snails
4 glass catfish

Or is that pushing it? I am willing to do 25% water changes a week if it means I can keep this many fish. I realize eventually I will probably have to get a bigger tank, but I'm wondering if this will work for about a year.

Oh, and one last, slightly unrelated question: how many times a day am I supposed to feed my angelfish? I've read 3 times a day, once a day, etc., so I'm not sure which is correct.

Thank you,

~Synaesthesia

 

[M.R Otter]

Well not bad with the stocking. I feed my angels once a day....... beware of overfeeding!!

 

[Synaesthesia]

Thank you M.R Otter. I've been feeding them once a day because 3 times seemed excessive.

Any more opinions on the stocking?

 

[Wills]

Hi there welcome to the forums, I think I have to disagree with mr otter though angels need a much bigger tank than 15 gallons they get to 6 inches long and 6 inches tall, I had a giant that was 8 inches tall and that wasn't even an altum angel just a regular scalare (sp). With most angel fish you are looking at near adult size within a year. I just reread your post and saw you said about upgrading, personally I would get the bigger tank now and you will find it a lot more satisfying than keeping a smaller tank it will also let you keep all the fish you want. I've come back to the hobby about 6 months ago after a 6 month break and I got a 3 ft tank and thought oh yes this will do me fine but now I'm working out the logistics of a 240 gallon so we all end up with a bigger tank if you see what I mean

I think that the fish you proposed to add to the tank should be okay in the 15 gallon depending on the dimensions. If its a 2ft tank I think glass cats and the gourami would work well but not with the angels. So as an option of keeping the 15 gallon tank rather than upgrading the size I think this could work. Though usually people find bigger tanks easier because the water parameters stay stable a bit better than in smaller tanks.

Also when you say the tank was cycled, how did you do this? Was it a process of adding pure ammonia to the tank or did your LFS test you water at the end of the week? Just curious as if its the latter it could lead to a few problems.

Hope its helped a little I know its not all good but just being honest.
Wills

 

[M.R Otter]

you had got me wrong there wills!! Synaesthesia did not say that those angels are in the 15 gallon tank, all what he said about the angels is "HOW OFTEN TO FEED THEM" Not the tank size!!

 

[Harlequins]

Hi there

Has will said angels will get too big for a 15 gal tank, although i think your stocking without the angels would be ok

 

[Synaesthesia]

Wills, thanks for all of the advice. I appreciate it.

I cycled it by adding ammonia to the tank. I also used some gravel and filter material from a friend's already established (clean and disease-free, of course) tank for faster bacteria growth.

The problem is that for the next year I simply can't upgrade the tank. I'm living in a college dormitory for the next year and they have restrictions on the size of the tank, thus the 15 gallons. Believe me, I'd have a much bigger tank if I could.

I talked with some friends that have angels as well as the LFS about the size of the tank and they said it'd be fine for the angels plus extra fish. Has anyone on the forums kept angels in this size tank?

And yes, my tank is of the 2ft rectangular type.

 

[Wills]

Ok good that you did the fishless cycle

I know people keep angels in small tanks but personally and I think the majority of this board will agree that this is cruel. Angles are probably one of the biggest sellers for fish stores so it will not be uncommon for them to end up in what we would term unsuitable tanks. I would personally say a 4 foot tank for them long term but I know a lot of people have success in a 3ft long 18 inch tall tank.

I think something for you to think about is, if your going to be doing this as a hobby and you do eventually want a large tank why not keep fish in your 15g that are suitable for it now but also that would do well in a big tank as well like the glass cats and the gourami. I mean if you think in the long term if your in your first year you have 3 years ahead or if you are in your final year you have less than a year to go till you graduate, and get the bigger tank but realistically all your fish could easily be alive when you leave as the cats and gourami I believe live around 7 years - gourami could be less actually. But do you see what I mean, if your in this for the long term why not wait till you have the tank for them and keep them properly. Its like I want a severum and some uaru but I know I need to wait for the 6ft tank I have promised my self in a few months and for now I am happy with my stock and I know they will mix in the big tank as well.
Wills

 

[Synaesthesia]

Alright, if it's cruel then I will probably return the angelfish later today and get the others I was thinking of stocking. It's too bad, angelfish are gorgeous... but I don't want to use them just for aesthetic pleasure.


Thanks,
Synaesthesia

 

[Wills]

IMO youve made the right choice Well done, its always a sign of a responsible fish keeper (and a true hobbyist) that puts their fish before their needs.

 

[Harlequins]

Alright, if it's cruel then I will probably return the angelfish later today and get the others I was thinking of stocking. It's too bad, angelfish are gorgeous... but I don't want to use them just for aesthetic pleasure.


Thanks,
Synaesthesia

You have made the right decision,well done