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10, 20 or 60 Gallon Tank?

2K views 10 replies 5 participants last post by  KingPiccolo SB 
#1 ·
I'm planning on getting two Senegal bichers, a Black Ghost Knife, and a few African cichlids, but i will be getting the Senegal Bichers and BGK first. But i was wondering if i should put them straight in the 60 gallon tank i have, or put them in a smaller one first and then move them up to the 60 gallon.

I have one 20 gallon a bit over stocked:

Two Silver Mollies
Two Black Skirt Tetras (They are huge)
Two Streamline Chubs
Synodontis Cat
Angelicus Botia
Rosy Barb
Chinese Algea Eater
Bala Shark
Flame Red Guarami
Two Big Crayfish

Then I have a 10, 20, and a 60 gallon tank all empty and waiting to be set up, so i was wondering where i should put those three when i first get them.

Also quick question i was thinking of getting one regular bicher and one albino, but i've heard albinos aren't always the healthiest and don't always get to their full size, should i get one of each or steer clear of the albino?
 
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#2 ·
A BGK really should have at least 150 gallons, at least 2 feet wide or the fish can't turn easily.
African cichlids (minus kribensis, way too small to keep with these fish) require really hard basic water, which the BGK and I think the bichir cannot live in. The BGK needs acidic water. Either the chiclids or the knife would die quite soon, depending on which direction your parameters are in.. There's several more things about African cichlids that make them a bad idea but I'm no expert on those guys..
Your 20 gallon is extremely overstocked. I'd move your current fish into the 60 gallon, since you have no room for a BGK or bichir in that tank. Yes, 60 gallons can be considered small. :lol:
Not to mention you have several shoaling fish in their own, and the chinese algae eater will become carnivorous and kill most of the fish you have in their eventually.. They eat algae when small but become carnivores when big.
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#3 ·
Thats probably more than a bit overstocked. Im not sure but you may also have compatibility issues as well. You should solve those problems before you add more. Wait for a more experienced member to guide you.
 
#4 ·
Oh dear. That tank is grossly overstocked. There are a lot of issues here, and I think it would be better for you to read about the individual fish in our profiles and ask specific questions rather than us address all of the issues here (as there are simply too many). I'll copy and paste your list and put the name of the fish as it is found in our profiles next to it. For the fish we don't have in our profiles, I will add a link to a reliable site.

Two Silver Mollies (Common Molly)
Two Black Skirt Tetras (Black Widow Tetra)
Two Streamline Chubs (Erimystax dissimilis, Streamline chub Fishbase.org)
Synodontis Cat (either Upside Down Catfish or Synodontis ocellifer catfish)
Angelicus Botia (Angelicus loach)
Rosy Barb (the name is already highlighted, click on it to see our profile)
Chinese Algea Eater (Chinese algae eater)
Bala Shark (click on the highlighted name)
Flame Red Guarami (probably the dwarf gourami)
Two Big Crayfish (no clue on these guys)
 
#5 ·
I knew you guys would say that but the fish have all lived happily for over 6 months now, i think only one algae eater died, so i don't think there are any major problems with this setup, but it's gonna stay mostly the same, i may move the bala shark up to the 60 gallon since they get big. Other thank that i'm probably gonna keep the 20 gallon the same cause they are doing very well together.

As far as the bichers and Cichlids go i've heard of numerous people keeping them together and not having any problems, but to get back to my original two questions that nobody answered.

Should i get an albino?

and Should i put the BGK and the bichers in a smaller tank to begin with?
 
#6 ·
If you knew what we were going to say, why tell us about it in the first place?

About the BGK, it's always best to put fish in the size tank it can live its full life in. Putting a fish in a small tank and then expecting to upgrade in a few months isn't a good strategy because well life can happen. Any number of things can happen that drain your financial resources in between when your fish needs an upgrade and now. Plus, you will end up spending more money if you buy everything for the setup now, and then have to buy it all over again in a few months.
 
#8 ·
I think your questions have been answered. There is no room for more fish, there are problems with what's there now, and a 60g is not sufficient size for some of these.

I understand this is not what you wanted to hear, but you are being given the best advice from several experienced aquarists who are only concerned with the well being of the fish.

This article on what causes stress and how stress does affect fish even if we can't perceive it, may help; please have a read of it.
http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/freshwater-articles/stress-freshwater-aquarium-fish-98852/
And the info in our profile on the requirements of each species will indicate how to best avoid this stress.

And welcome to Tropical Fish Keeping forum.:-D

Byron.
 
#10 ·
I think the bichir should do alright in a 60 gallon. I'd put them in right away, just so they have room to move.
As for albino, I know albino dojo loach do tend to be smaller than coloured ones, and albinos usually are more sensitive. Not sure if the size thing applies to the bichir, but if that's what you heard it may. Two albinos may be a good idea since they will be smaller.
 
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