Stocking limits of a 20 gal tank?

**Slinky_Bass** · 12-22-2006, 07:23 PM

I've recently setup a 20 gal which I transferred one adult angel and 6 adult bronze corys to. Once the tank settles and the angel is a bit fatter I want to add at least 4 Khuli loaches, 1 bristlenose, a little shoal of Black Widows (8/10?) and maybe a pair of Dwarf Gouramis or 2 new angels (which I can move into the 70 when they get bigger).

Firstly, what do you guys think of my selection (fish and water compatabilty-wise) and do you have any other species suggestions.

Secondly, do you think the tank will be overstocked with this selection/amount of fish? (btw I've never figured out the whole inch of fish per length of tank thing, it sounds like maths, something I try to avoid whenever possible because I really suck at it)

Any advice would be appreciated!

**jman** · 12-23-2006, 04:47 AM

without the gourmais they should be fine and the compatibility...iv'e seen known just about all those fish to be together

**kimmers318** · 12-23-2006, 12:11 PM

I personally think you may end up a little overstocked for that many fish, I have a 20 gal long and picturing it it would look a little overcrowded. The kuhli loaches should be fine with the cory stock, they use very little space and are very mellow....I love mine. Not sure about adding a bristlenose, read up more on them. I have 1 in 2 different tanks, 1 is the only bottom guy, the other has 2 cory and all seems well, but I have read they can get a little territorial as they mature with other bristlies, not sure if that would apply to having cory. It should be okay though, you can always watch and if you see issues deal with a new tank then. (oh darn the bad luck....a new tank!) 4 cory (just over 2" each=8"), one bristlenose (approx 4"), 1 angel (2"currently I am thinking since it is little????) gives you around 14" of fish leaving approx. 6 inches left. Remember these are only guides and more factors are dependent on fish compatibility and tank maintenance. I have found that overstocking with 3 levels of fish works much better than overstocking with all one level. I would only add 1 dwarf gourami since they have a tendency to bicker if they don't have enough territory. Not sure if there would be bickering with gourami and angels as they mature. My personal feeling would be to go slow and see how things go for a few weeks as they settle in together knowing issues may arise as they mature. Adding the gourami brings you to around 16 inches which should leave you room for a small group of the black widows as you mentioned, but realize this may take you over the top a little so be prepared to keep up your maintenance. I have heard also that angels can have issues with smaller fish, but since you plan on moving them to a 75 gal later, you just might get away with it. Make sure you get us some pics because it sounds like it will be a very nice looking tank!
Just a side note....what type of substrate do you have? When my kuhlis were in gravel I never saw them, now that they are in a sand bottom they are quite active buggers and look like worms running all over my tank!

**jman** · 12-23-2006, 04:58 PM

i was thinking about it as well and the bristlesnose i think will make it even more overstocked. Hey kimmers do you think that all those fish could fit into a 30 gallon long? Maybe that size could hold them

**Lady Hobbs** · 12-23-2006, 11:42 PM

Tank will be too full with that angel fish in there. I have 2 in my 30 gallon with 2 corey cats only. Angels do not want to be crowded and will get mean with the others. My 20 gallon has 11 tetra's and that's too much.

**jman** · 12-24-2006, 04:10 AM

O.K. another thing i'll remember!

**Lady Hobbs** · 12-24-2006, 05:44 AM

I'm thinking of getting a 40 gallon tall for my angels. May have to start putting tanks in my bedroom soon. LOL

**jman** · 12-24-2006, 05:46 AM

i have 3 in my room wife doesn't even have space for hers LOL

**holbritter** · 12-24-2006, 12:23 PM

hobbs, how many angels would you suggest for a 55g tall tank?

**Lady Hobbs** · 12-24-2006, 05:11 PM

Roughly, maybe six if they are larger. You should have either one in a tank or several or the straggler will get picked on. More will keep the attention of the dominate one away from this lone straggler.

In my case, I have two large angels. I had them in a 55 and they were fine for awhile and then it was over! The larger of the two bullied the other and they fought like pit bulls. I left one in the 55 and moved one to the 30. I must have tried putting them back together 20 times with the same results each time. For some unknown reason, a few weeks ago I gave it one more shot to see how it would go and "nothing." They now get along wonderfully.

I have 3 smaller angels in my community tank but don't like them in a community setting. They are more fragile and like warmer temps that the others......80 -82. Five degrees makes a big difference to them. But the larger angles now are not accepting the smaller ones in their tank so I will probably have to keep introducing them as they grow larger.

If you're lucky enough to end up with a male and female, you'll probably have to put them in another tank to spawn or much aggression will start over that and eggs will be eaten.

These are great fish but sure have an odd personality at times.