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How Many Fish can i put in my 20 gallon tank?

4K views 14 replies 7 participants last post by  Guppyluver4ever 
#1 ·
I have a 20 gallon tank with 10 fish; 2 guppies, 2 platys, 2 bloodfin tetras, 2 mollies, 1 algae eater and 1 swordtail. Can I add more fish? :)
 
#2 ·
What kind of algae eater it might outgrow the tank, but I would think you could add a few more small fish, but I dont know much about swordtails or platys so you should wait for more advice.
 
#5 ·
I agree with SinCrisis. It depends entirely on the algae eater. If its an otto then all your fish are small, low waste fish. I wouldn't recommend adding a different kind of fish if you add a few more though, I'd bump up the tetras by three or four. Past that I wouldn't add much besides maybe a platy.
 
#6 ·
its a baby chinese algae eater, at my local petstore they told me he would only grow to 4"!!!!! But am going to upgrade to a 55 gallon tank in July or the 1st week of August.
 
#7 ·
While babies, the chinese algae eater does a fair job of eating algae. Problem is they lose interest in eating algae once they discover that fish food is easier to get. They also become beligerent as they grow larger and are often reported to harrass the other fish. In my neck of the woods, they cain't give em away.
 
#8 ·
would a chinese algae eater be ok and not kill other fish in a 55 gallon tank ???? :-(
 
#10 ·
I have had then, and like others have said, they are awesome when young, but they go after other fish's slime coats when they get older and faster. Then they get really big and graze algae again. At least thats my experience with them. I ahd one in a 20 gallon, it grew up to around 6 inches before he/she died. I would trade him in for a couple of otos or algae eating shrimp for your 20 gallon. In a 55, they will be just as aggressive but the size of the tank will be big enough
 
#11 ·
Is very hard to say with certainty. They may not kill the fish., but could stess them by constantly nipping at them. Stressed fish ,, don't do as well in my view ,as those who are comfortable without fear of being harrassed.
 
#13 ·
Once i get a 55 gallon tank, can i put a male betta and a female betta, or is it better just to get one male betta or will he hurt my other fish? give me a betta 101 quick lesson on their compatibility. Please!!!!
:) :):):):):):):):):):):):)
 
#15 ·
Thank You all!! Im pretty sure i am going to return the CHINESE ALGAE EATER!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAYA!! :)
 
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