tank size & overpopulating

[Ash]

In my 20gal tank I've currently got (bear in mind they are all small) a pair of convicts (suspected male just under 2" now, female about 1 1/3") a single texan (tiny, lucky to be an inch) and a pair of 1" bristlenose to keep the place clean.

I know the tank is overpopuated (if not now it will be soon) but I'm getting a 50gal within the next few months. I'm thinking of putting an oscar, the texan & propably a JD in the 50gal (with a bottomfeeder to clean it) and keep the convicts as a breeding pair in the 20gal (probably use the fry as feeder food, maybe grow one to go into the 50gal).

My question is, will the 20gal be too small for my convicts? Or will a 50gal be suitable for the above list?

Thanks
Ash

[bevoman]

I believe the 50 will be less than ideal for an individual of any of the species listed except the cons when they are full grown. What you need to think about is that those fish will most likely be longer than the tank is deep. That really is not well suited for their comfortable navigation of the tank. I would definitely go larger or put your pair of cons in the 50 with some dithers. Just my opinion.

[Ash]

can you keep any cichlids in a 20? using my current fish, 2x con, 1x texan & 2x bristlenose - would anything else go in the 50 with them if I transferred the lot? Is the 20 usable at all? Food perhaps?

[Ash]

I'd like a firemouth for the colouration, are they a suitable tankmate for the above in a 50g?

[crazyfishlady]

The 20 would be good for dwarf cichlids, like apistos or rams, or you could go with some small african species like kribs or tang shell dwellers...
I would not put any other fish in the tank with the stock you have listed above.

[Ash]

Originally posted by crazyfishlady
I would not put any other fish in the tank with the stock you have listed above.

I know it's crazy to put more in the 20gal but one more fish in the 50 is too many? I may keep the convicts in the 20 alone for breeding with one of the bristlenose. In the "what to keep in a 20g" thread they recommend a convict pair as a possiblity.

From my above list of possibles for the 50g, the Texan (I have already) a JD & a firemouth - are they possible tankmates in a 50g?

[bevoman]

Did you notice my post Ash?

[conig]

oscars, do not go well withmuch aside from a severum, unless you are really skilled at tank decoration etc.

texas cichlids are down right mean, and I keep a jag. I have tried almost exactly what your talking about.

2oscars, texas, dempsey, and some tinfoild in a 29g. every one got larger, the texas filleted an oscar one night and killed it.

so he got seperated to his own 10gallon. then the dempsey took over this scenario on the remaining oscar.

by the end of this I had a dempsey by himself, a texas by him self and now have 2-55g and a 150

to do that in a 50 it will have to be ridiculously overstocked to spread the aggression. which means water changes about every other day if not daily.

or a lot larger tank with good decorations.

[Ash]

Originally posted by bevoman
Did you notice my post Ash?

I misread it, sorry. :oops:

Alright, I've re-read everything, sorry for the misunderstanding. Now a few q/s relating to what I already have.

How large of a tank would I need to keep a texas by itself? or with others? How long till my piddly 20g will start to restrict him, about 6" long I suppose but how fast will he grow?

Will the convicts be ok in the 20 by themselves or will they need the 50? if the 50, what are suitable dithers?

Now what i'd like.

I'd like a Jack Dempsey as well, do they have the same tank size requirements as a texas? Are they a potential tank mate for a texas in a larger tank? (eg. 2'x2'x4' ~120gal)

Where would a firemouth stack up in this equasion?

Sorry for the silly questions, I am new so please bear with me. :)

[bevoman]

Ash,
Do not apologize, your questions are good ones.
I would give a Texas or a JD at least a 75g. That is my preference, I know many people do 55's, I just think that is too small for a full grown Texas or JD. I also do not think I would put a JD and a Texas together in a 75. I think a 125 is the minimum I would try that in and that may still be too small. It will really depend on the individual temperament of your fish. I would move the Texas as soon as you can afford to. The more room the better (again, my opinion). The cons could do ok in the 20 for a good while. I don't keep cons so someone else can probably give you a better idea with them. Good luck.