Too many fish me thinks

[kash]

Iv been doing quite a bit of reading over the past few days and unfortunately I think I may be overstocked. Iv got a tank 21,18,12=22 gallons. Iv got:

2 red tailed sharks (2pac & Biggie)
1 albino shark (Eminem)
1 clown loach (MC Hammer)
2 tiger barbs (G unit), 1 green barb(50 cent)
10 neon tetras (Wu tang Clan)
2 suckermouths
2 sword tails
3 mollies.

None of the fish are any bigger than 3 inches. My problem is that my Dad overstocked the tank with tetras, mollies and the BARBS which the lady in the shop advised not to mix with the other fish. Her colleague obviously didnt know and sold them to my Dad.

The woman in the shop said the sharks are peaceful, but after some reading Iv found they are very territorial. The red tails seem to be fine and not agressive towars each other, although one seems to have asserted its authority over the other. The albino shark is very aggressive and will chase anyone out of its corner and then go straight back.

The green barb seems to chase the other tiger barbs around and now the tiger barbs are chasing each other too. The barbs dont seem to be interested in any other fish.

I love the clown loach and after some reading have realised it needs some more of its kind, but Im not sure if I can fit any in just yet. Also Iv read they get pretty big.

Any advice.

 

[glolite]

Yes I'm afraid you are well overstocked. As a general guide you need 1 gallon of water per inch of (full sized) fish. Clown loaches do need company and will pine away on their own. They can grow to 14 inches. Most sharks can get very aggressive especially as they mature. Personally, with a tank of 22g I'd take back the sharks (all of them), keep the smaller fish and perhaps if you can't bear to lose the clown loach get a couple more but if you are fond of him now think how bad you will feel when he has to go after 6 months. Not worth it really.
BTW barbs will probably nip the swordtails so better to keep one or the other.

 

[WILDER]

Yes well overstocked, clown loaches need to be in groups, and you need at least a 90gal tank, red tailed sharks should be kept on there own and you need a 40gal for them, maybe see if lfs will take some back.

 

[WILDER]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=34953
http/species.fishindex.com/species_2938e...lack_shark.html

 

[The-Wolf]

what kind of filtration are you running?

I suggest, if your not already, adding an external cannister filter, one that is rated for a tank twice your size would be ideal.
this would give you more leeway in the "rule of thumb"

also if you do regular water changes you shouldn't have tooo many problems with the current stock.
The main concern with overcrowding is that possibility of the fish becomming stressed; thus lowering their immun system which could lead to an outbreak of some kind of disease.

The "rule of thumb" is just that, stocking levels depends on many factors
but fitration is the key to bending the rule.

 

[Morrgan]

In addition to what the others said, the tiger barbs grow too big and lively for a 22 gal and only 3 isn't enough for a shoal. In too small a group and too small a tank, they can become aggressive and nippy towards other fish and each other.

I wouldn't keep swordtails in anything smaller than 40 gal, to be honest. The females can get as big as 6 inches and the males are aggressive towards each other. What sex are yours? Livebearers should be kept at a ratio of 2 females for each male.

What are the suckermouths? I hope they're not common plecos, for they too grow huge and your tank is way too small for them.

 

[kash]

Whoah, all my favourite fish. I was hoping to keep the sharks and the clown loaches. I think the suckermouth is a common pleco. Its a real shame. So all loaches will grow much bigger?

Im unsure of what sex the sword tails are.

Im interested in the Wolfs idea of filtration, but Im probably not experienced enough to pull that off. At the moment all I have is a basic filter.

I thought the tank was a decent sized one, and apparantly the lady in the shop doesnt know jack When I bought the tank I planned which fish to buy based on her advice. Some serious thinking to do.

 

[dwarfgourami]

With all respect for The Wolf's superior knowledge, I don't think extra filtration is going to be the whole key to this particular problem. As other posters have pointed out, it is very much about swimming space and territorial needs of those particular fish. Even a dozen extra filters won't provide a single inch more fin-stretching room, and that I feel is the main issue here.

 

[bunjiweb]

Ditto, filtration isnt everything, you cant pack a 22G tank with fish that at their fully grown size will be fighting for swimming space.

If you want to keep all the fish you need a 4 ft (45Gallons or more) tank. get 2 more clown loaches and they will be fine. Also get about 4 more tiger barbs, this will spread out the aggression and will be less of a problem. Having said all this you should still get rid of 1 of your RTB sharks, and probably the albino if it is causing you problems, although a bigger tanks usually helps sort out terratorial issues.

Ben

 

[kash]

My initial thoughts are to get a new tank, get rid of 1 shark, if I have to the albino and get a few more clown loaches and as Ben said a few more barbs. Not sure about whether I can afford that though. If anyone knows of any shops in the UK that just hand out free tanks let me know

If the expenses are just too much Il have to give away my fave fish
Might not be a bad idea as I can learn more.

 

[WILDER]

Best to also let go one of the red tailed sharks shouldn't be kept together.

 

[kash]

Yeah ur right.

Anyone ever bought a tank from loot before?

 

[Ethos]

1 albino shark (Eminem)

Thats pretty funny B)

 

[qwikimpss]

Tight Names!!!!!!!!!!

 

[william11373]

YOUR SUPOSE TO HAVE ATLEAST 6 + TIGER BARBS!!!

THATS WHAT SOMEONE TOLD ME