Fish compatibility, behaviour, and cloudy water

Question
Hi, my question is actually three parts.  I have a 29 gallon tank that has been running for almost 2 months now.  In it I have 4 platys, 1 balloon molly, 5 cherry barbs, 1 pleco, 1 angel, and 1 ropefish.  I was wondering if these fish will be compatible with each other when they mature and if my tank is overstocked with this many fish.

Also when I first got my ropefish he was super active all the time.  He was always swimming around and playing in the bubbles.  I went away for a weekend and had my roommate feeding the fish.  When I returned everything seemed fine.  A few days later I noticed the rope fish was constantly hiding, stopped playing, and now only comes out for food.  Is there something wrong with my rope?

Also I changed my water before I left and after I returned I changed the filter.  When I left the water was clear and when I got back it was very cloudy.  It is still cloudy and I don't know what to do to fix it.  

Any advice you could give me would be great.  I really love all of my fish and would hate to lose any of them.

Thanks, Krista

Answer
Hey Krista

You ropefish should have at least 80 gallons not 29 so you might want to rehome him.

What type of pleco do you have?

If you have the common one, he will rapidly outgrow your tank.  If you have the smaller one, the bristlenose, he will grow up to six inches and is much better suited to your tank.

I wouldn't say your tank is overstocked but if you kept the ropefish and you do have a common pleco your tank will certainly be overstocked.

I have never owned a ropefish Krista I am sorry.  I think your roommate could be to blame hear.  Ask him did he do anything to him like chase him with a net around the tank as this can cause the fish stress and make him hide.  Test your water aswell as this might cause him to go downhill.

If you completely got a new filter then your tank has started to cycle again.  This will take 4-8 weeks and do 50% water changes every week.

Hope this hs and I hope I answered all your questions for you :0

Good Luck with the ropefish   :)