Can I add a more fish...?

[whitewaves]

OK... I LOVE this website! The powers that be (Moderators?) know how much I've searched and read this site! The best, most accurant information I've found. To the point: I have a 30 gal x-tall tank with an AquaClear 70gal/300gph power filter, full length "bubble-wall", Plants, wood, sandstone rock, 2-4 mm gravel. My fish are: 4 corys, 2 sailfin plecos (currently 7 & 8 in), and 8 tiger barbs. Do I need additional corys for bottom cleaning? The tank base is 24 x 12 1/2. Or, can I add 1-2 larger fish, maybe 2 4inch gouramis? I have a tendency to over feed. I just can't get it right... So, I vacuum the substrate lightly 1-2 times weekly and do a partial water change depending on test results. I really want 1-2 larger fish that the tiger barbs won't pick on that won't hurt my plecos. The only ones I could find on my own were Gouramis. Suggestions???

[hfjacinto]

Hi WhiteWaves, I wouldn't add any more fish as the sailfin plecos can get close to 18 inches which are too big for your current tank I have a Lapardis in a 45 gallon tall (same width and length as a 30 gallon) and he/she is over 9 inches and even that fish is too big for my current tank.

[whitewaves]

Then I will definitely have to give the sailfins more space as they grow. They love being together so I will need quite a large tank!

[Birger]

Since you are looking for suggestions...I would suggest switching out the sailfins for something of a more suitable size like an ancistrus sp.(bristlenose) a pair would be a nice addition with the possibility of them breeding and then you could add to your group of cory's which would enjoy the extra company.

Birger

[Richard B]

Since you are looking for suggestions...I would suggest switching out the sailfins for something of a more suitable size like an ancistrus sp.(bristlenose) a pair would be a nice addition with the possibility of them breeding and then you could add to your group of cory's which would enjoy the extra company.

Birger

This is about as good a piece of advice as you'll get, nicely worded Birger

[whitewaves]

So this means I need at least a 100 gal tank for my 2 sailfins?! I've looked around my house and with some adjustments I can put an aquarium in our living room. I have a windowless angle wall (currently the television is there) that is 5 ft wide. I looked online and I could put a 120 gal aquarium there. Unfortunately, I can't afford that right now. But I will figure out the costs for everything including a stand/base and make that purchase a priority. I really appreciate the honest truth. I just love watching the interactions and behaviors of my fish (especially sailfins) and want them to live a long time and be happy. The LFSs within 100 miles are grocery/home/everything stores and large pet chain stores. I realize now they know NOTHING about fish and fish are complicated. My Pterygoplichths Multiradiatus was labeled correctly but I was told he would only grow up to my tank size (10 gal) and that 2 in that tank size would still have plenty of room. I also received wrong information on food, no mention about wood, additional filtration... What got me looking online was my other sailfin (still not identified, just assume Gibbiceps... White belly spots but 14 rays...). His sailfin edge was "deteriorating" and there was a pin hole that grew. That is how I found out I wasn't feeding him properly! Then I found this site and made a lot of improvements but I will give them more space too - soon as I can. Thank you again!!