How many is too many??

[Mike Lang]

I currently have 5 clowns, ranging from just over an inch, to about 4 inches in a 75 gallon tank, along with 6 young kubotai, 2-3 inches, a 6 inch synodontus eupterus catfish and 4 pimlodella pictus catfish. Keeping in mind that the clowns will get much larger and that the kubotai are young and growing, am I going to outgrow this tank, or have I already. All fish get along fine with no squabbles, except among the pictus cats. Since these are all largely peaceful fish, am I too crowded or should they be ok for a few years till the clowns start to really get big?? Currently filtering with an aqaua clear 500 and rena xp-3, with additional 500gph supplied by a mag drive 500 pump which is plumbed into the aqua clear.

[Marcos Mataratzis]

Hi Mike,

am I going to outgrow this tank, or have I already?

That´s a bit hard to say. At present moment seams to be ok but watch out for ammonia. WC and vacumming must be done regulary. As often as possible.

At your signature I can see this tank is planted. Clown loaches uses to dig the gravel uprooting some plants and eating others. They also make some holes on soft leaves just for fun!

Good luck!

[Mike Lang]

Hello Marcos. My routine is 50%+ water changes weekly and I generaly clean my power filters at the same time. Canister is every other week. Ammonia levels are "0". I do try to keep everybody clean. Tank contains a good amount of rockwork and driftwood in addition to the live plants. Yes, my clowns are beating the plants up and I may eventually have to switch to the fake ones, but I'll hold off on that as long as I can. Too bad, I really enjoy the live plants..

[Marcos Mataratzis]

Don´t give up your natural plants but keep in mind to leave only the tough ones. Most gently leave plants are doomed.

[andre]

Yes, my clowns are beating the plants up and I may eventually have to switch to the fake ones, but I'll hold off on that as long as I can. Too bad, I really enjoy the live plants..

Mike, I have a similar set up and in my experience if you have many plants the damage is somehow "diluted" and they may grow happily.

Few weeks ago I posted this picture


As you can see by the proportion both tank size and fish are similar. In the second picture you can see how just weeks later plants have already taken over a larger part of the tank.

I think that it will take few years before your clowns will start making a real mess in your tank

Btw I don't use any fertilizer or C02.

[Diana]

"Too many" is actually a variable term. If you can keep up the water changes then the tank might not be overcrowded. Monitor the nitrate. Plants and nitrifying bacteria ought to be able to handle the ammonia and nitrite, but as the fish grow the nitrate will climb.
If the fish have plenty of room for swimming and hiding the set up might be fine. Each fish needs certain forms of caves, driftwood, rocks and so on.

Watch the social issues: as the youngsters mature you may find that they start becoming more defensive of some territory. That is a lot of bottom dwelling fish, and they will all want their space.

As the fish grow they need to be able to swim long, straight lines. This suggests a longer, perhaps lower tank, rather than a high tank. If it is your ultimate goal to move the fish to such a longer tank, then your current set up may well work. I would get started on the larger tank, though, sooner rather than later.

[palaeodave]

Andre, that tank is just beautiful.

[andre]

Andre, that tank is just beautiful.

Thank you Dave. I was considering to move the fish and replace them with roaches

[palaeodave]

Don't joke too soon....I saw mention of aquatic cockroaches somewhere but I'm having trouble getting hold of the paper. Watch this space!

[TammyLiz]

Wow, andre, I missed the original posting of those pictures. That is fabulous! I love that giant vallis. Great job.

Mike, you don't sound overstocked to me right now but later on you'll need to upgrade, IMO.

[Marcos Mataratzis]

Agreed Tammy,

Very nice tank Andre. Inspiring image!

Congrats!