Fish Per Gallon?

[charlz0434]

Ive heard this rule but im really unfamilar with it. What are the opinions on this topic. How many fish can you put in your tank without overkill!

Do tank dimensions have anything to do with it????

 

[steve]

That's for freshwater fish. Saltwater fish is way different. Your 46 gallon. Should probably only have 4-5 small fish in it.

 

[stickx911]

its really more about type of fish and the type of system. I think the rule is 1 inch of fish per 2 gallons in SW (1:1 in FW).but you cannot have 1 10in fish in a 30g hex. So the rule may be a guideline, but always make sure your fish can do well in the environment you're putting it in.

Check liveaquaria.com they have great information on many species, otherwise ask about specifics here and someone can help you if google cannot.

 

[stickx911]

on a side note, FW and SW are completely different in application (IMO). SW is so much less forgiving in terms of impatience and mistakes. I've lost too many fish to impatience myself. You'd be surprised how much just a little waiting will pay off in the end.

 

[ralph atl]

here's some info:



http://www.reefcentral.com/FAQ/general/index.php">http://www.reefcentral.com/FAQ/general/index.php</a>

[IMG]http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm">http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm</a>

 

[ralph atl]

dawgdude;197718 wrote: NO! Sorry! 2 inch of blue hippo is not going to put off the same amount of waste as 2 inch of filimented flasher wrasse. There isnt a good rule of thumb for salt water

With salt water you need to do research and find out what fish would work in a certain size tank and then gauge from the equipment, maintenance level and overall size of a fish. An inch of royal gramma will NOT put out the same amount of waste as an inch of neon goby. I have WAY more fish in my 90 than most people, however I am fairly experienced in this hobby and its maintenance AND I have a killer skimmer, so I can get away with it.

The best way to know the adequate number of fish for your tank is research the species and care of a SW aquaria enough to where you can gauge it based on your system.

I would suggest this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Conscientious-Marine-Aquarist-Commonsense-Successful/dp/1890087025">http://www.amazon.com/Conscientious-Marine-Aquarist-Commonsense-Successful/dp/1890087025</a>[/QUOTE]



I agree! Great book!

 

[ralph atl]

To generalize, the problem with going by inches is:

1) saltwater fish can get big, very big
2) they are from oceans vs. ponds, lakes, rivers
3) it's not just length, it's mass
4) it's not just size, it's metabolism
5) it's the basic, "you must export at least as much as you put in"!

 

[stickx911]

this only addresses one of your issues, but the inch rule is suppose to apply to the full grown fish. If a tang will grow to ten inches, it (by this rule) would need at least 20 gallons. Obviously this rule is flawed, but it provides a maximum occupancy point where, eventhough they all look fine, you cannot add more, or something along those lines. I just remember reading it in a cheap FW>SW book I was reading once.

as for mass, are saltwater fish really heavier than fw fish? I just never heard that before, that's interesting, so shouldn't they have to be fed more than FW? (sorry for going off subject)

 

[ralph atl]

stickx911;197733 wrote: this only addresses one of your issues, but the inch rule is suppose to apply to the full grown fish. If a tang will grow to ten inches, it (by this rule) would need at least 20 gallons.

as for mass, are saltwater fish really heavier than fw fish? I just never heard that before, that's interesting, so shouldn't they have to be fed more than FW? (sorry for going off subject)

4 inch clown vs a 4 inch pipefish?

 

[ralph atl]

i wasn't clear in that I was not necessarily comparing the difference between Fresh & salt. Mass might play in both. A tang can be much more massive than maybe blennie of the same length

 

[ralph atl]

you can have a 14 inch eel in a 30 gallon (maybe), but not a 14 inch tang.

 

[stickx911]

mysterybox;197736 wrote: i wasn't clear in that I was not necessarily comparing the difference between Fresh & salt. Mass might play in both. A tang can be much more massive than maybe blennie of the same length

ah ok, that makes sense.

 

[skriz]

Here's the way I like to looks at things:

If a fish needs 30g, then I see it as he needs 30g for himself (full grown). This leaves you margin for error. There are also fish that like to stay at the sandbed and dome that stay in the middle of the water column. If you plan you fish in these areas, you can have a nice mix and not overload your tank.

 

[Reefplumber13]

well i have been told you can do 1 fish(3-4") per 5 gallons is that true

 

[stickx911]

Skriz;197844 wrote: If a fish needs 30g, then I see it as he needs 30g for himself (full grown). This leaves you margin for error. There are also fish that like to stay at the sandbed and dome that stay in the middle of the water column. If you plan you fish in these areas, you can have a nice mix and not overload your tank.

That sounds like a good new rule of thumb for someone new to the hobby.

 

[Reefplumber13]

dawgdude;197858 wrote: No because as stated before, a 3-4 inch tang needs alot more swimming room than a 3-4 inch goby. You have to know the animals you are buying like Raj said and have enough knowledge to figure it out. If not, then consult someone with more experience before buying a fish.

i ment a full grown fish so what im saying is if the fish will be 10" at full size it needs to account for 10gals of the tank. not if you have a 45gal you can have 9 small regals or if you had a 75 not to put 15 in there and we all know you need a long tank for a tang so thats not what im going for

 

[Reefplumber13]

we all know that tangs and tirggers need alot of room but what other fish gets over 8"????

 

[Reefplumber13]

well i think any one that has a big fish like that would be smart enough to know it needs a big tank like more then a. but like you said research the fish before you buy it...

 

[skriz]

jgilley84;197896 wrote: well i think any one that has a big fish like that would be smart enough to know it needs a big tank like more then a. but like you said research the fish before you buy it...

I wish this was the case. Unfortunately, people will buy large fish and not have the space for it. OR they buy a small one who will eventually become quite large and face the same problem.

Like Charlie said, certain fishies will consume and pollute more than others; so size alone cannot accurately determine the size of tank that it needs. Also, the fish have different behaviors. Some like to swin a lot, others will hide in a cave or in the sand.

Best bet is, don't get stuck to a "formula". Research the requirements of each species and base the decision on that.

 

[skriz]

stickx911;197860 wrote: That sounds like a good new rule of thumb for someone new to the hobby.

Thanks! I seem to think it's a really easy and responsible way to approach things. And since it leaves to some room for error, it's a forgiving "formula".