Zebra loaches in a 20 gln.???

[Shakona]

I believe I'm probably overstocked but wanted to ask your opinions. I would like to add two Zebra loaches to this tank. My first question is - can I add just two as I've heard they should be in larger groups? Will it help to have Kuhlis with them in this regard?
The tank currently has a male Betta, six Green Neon tetras, seven Cardinal tetras, two Kuhli loaches, one African Dwarf Frog, several small Cories and four Amano shrimp.
It has live plants to help with water quality also.
I use a 50 gln. HOB filter (Aquaclear) and do weekly water changes and substrate cleaning with a vac.
Just as an additional thought: I have a 117 gln. tank that I can move the loaches to in the future if needed.

[brett_fishman]

hello, welcome to LOL!!

with the corys and kuhlis on the bottom, i'd stay away from adding any zebras...they just wouldnt have enough room..

i'd have to say your 20g is stocked well right now, depending on how many corys you have..with those fish..

1 betta
13 small tetras
2 kuhli loaches
1 ADF
several small corys??
4 amano shrimp

your tank may actually be considered over-stocked..but with an AC filter rated for a 50g...you might be safe..

all your maintenance sounds good, how large of waterchanges do you do weekly?


-brett.

[YellowFinned]

Buy another tank!

[LUVaLOACH]

I believe I'm probably overstocked but wanted to ask your opinions. I would like to add two Zebra loaches to this tank. My first question is - can I add just two as I've heard they should be in larger groups? Will it help to have Kuhlis with them in this regard?
The tank currently has a male Betta, six Green Neon tetras, seven Cardinal tetras, two Kuhli loaches, one African Dwarf Frog, several small Cories and four Amano shrimp.
It has live plants to help with water quality also.
I use a 50 gln. HOB filter (Aquaclear) and do weekly water changes and substrate cleaning with a vac.
Just as an additional thought: I have a 117 gln. tank that I can move the loaches to in the future if needed.

Hi and Welcome,

If the list Brett provided is correct then you might want to hold off, I was over stocked a few weeks ago and had to clone one twenty into two b/c I kept having amonia spikes. This is a clear indicator you are over stocked or overfeeding. I would consider upgrading if possible, or move the loaches to the other tank.

Good luck,
Kris

[Shakona]

Thanks for your replies. I do a 40% weekly water change and keep a very close eye on all water parameters. This tank has been running for over a year and I've never had ammonia or nitrite since it cycled. My nitrates are just over 20 since it's a planted tank.
The Cories are all Pygmy or other ones that are less than 1 1/2 inches at maturity. There are five of them which probably equals about four total inches of fish when they reach adulthood.

[brett_fishman]

ok, so:

1 betta
13 small tetras
2 kuhli loaches
1 ADF
5 pygmy corys
4 amano shrimp

all in a 20g...hmmm...isnt THAT bad..but still around being overstocked..

what kinda filter do you run? sounds like the bio-load is being taken care of (low nitrates)

-brett.