1 per species fish rule?

[dirk_brijs]

from what size tanks does the one per species fish rule fall away?
I read all about that you can just have 1 tang, you can just have one mandarin, You can just have one of this and that
but from what size tank does this not apply anymore?
I am planning on building a 11,5" x 3.2" tank
would that be large enough for same species fish to live next to each other?
or are there species which still at that size would go after each other?

 

[username in use]

That rule isn't a very good one to follow because it doesn't take into account the individual characteristics of each species. You can keep a harem of Royal Gramma's in a 30g tank. You can keep a group of 10-15 Red Spot Glass Cardinals in a 20g tank, but you can't keep any yellow tangs in there at all. If you are saying that you are building a tank that is 11ft 6inches X 3ft 4inches, than you can probably keep a couple yellows without too much problems. You could keep pairs or harems of some angels. You could have harems of wrasse's, school of threadfin cardinals, and you may be able to keep more than one mandaring eventually.

My advice to you would be to see what kind of fish you are really interested and then read about the individual tempermants and styles, and then work from there, not some arbitrary rule.

 

[dirk_brijs]

but thats what I mean in most of the description you read of most fish it states one per tank?

 

[Dragon moray ki]

11 inch or foot tank but yes you can keep multiple tangs in the same tank

 

[username in use]

but thats what I mean in most of the description you read of most fish it states one per tank?

Where are you reading your descriptions. There are plenty of places that say "best kept in small groups" "best kept as male female pair" "can be kept with other conspecifics" etc.

 

[Reefing Newbie]

I would say in anything 4ft or smaller you would want to stay away from multiple larger sized fish like tangs. Multiple tangs is possible given they each have enough space and are introduced in the correct order or at the same time. Some fairy wrasses need to be kept in at least male and female pairs otherwise they lose some coloration. Anthias are good to have in small groups as well. With tangs there are certain ones that need far more space than others and don't well if kept with other tangs in smaller sized tanks. The sohal tang and clown tang are aggressive to all fish and other tangs or aggressive challengers to the thrown. You just need to stock accordingly for the size tank you have.

 

[nonstopfishies]

In a tank as large as you are planning, you will be able to mix all but the most aggressive species together in schools, harems, pairs, etc. You will be able to keep multiple different angels and tangs. Some angels you would be able to keep a pair. Most tangs you could keep a pair or more together including yellow tangs and purple tangs.

Fish that you wouldn't be able to keep more than one of for example(not a complete list):
Sohal tangs
Clown tangs
Clown triggers
queen triggers
Passer angel
A few others.

As far as smaller fish, like the mandarin you mention and others, you would have no problems keeping more than one.

What type of tank is this going to be? FOWLR or Reef?

Mostly peaceful with some tangs, but a lot of smaller fish or a tank with lots of big fish?

 

[Reefing Newbie]

I am confused on whether the OP means 11 feet and 5" by 3 feet 2 inches or 11.5 inches by 3.2 inches. I would hope the first, 3.2" isn't enough room for any fish to turn around IMO.

 

[nonstopfishies]

I am confused on whether the OP means 11 feet and 5" by 3 feet 2 inches or 11.5 inches by 3.2 inches. I would hope the first, 3.2" isn't enough room for any fish to turn around IMO.

I think you know the answer to that question. I doubt he is trying to fit multiples of any type of fish in an "inches" tank. Unless he was going to literally stack them.

 

[Reefing Newbie]

Well he might be able to do multiple clown gobies...

 

[albano]

<object height="315" width="420">Here is my 450g DT...at present there are over 70 fish, including 10 tangs, 10 angels and 25 wrasses


<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JuvhYs8vH90?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="315" width="420"></object>

 

[Reefing Newbie]

<object height="315" width="420">Here is my 450g DT...at present there are over 70 fish, including 10 tangs, 10 angels and 25 wrasses


<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JuvhYs8vH90?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="315" width="420"></object>

I am very jealous of your tank!!! I can't wait until I have my own house so I can set up three or four large tanks(1000+ gallons each ) I will have multiple everything. I have started coming up with a list and I have at least 30 tangs(multiples of most) on the list, several large angels, two large groups of anthias... In large tanks, you can have multiples of everything that won't kill the other one(s). Too bad sohal tangs and clown tangs don't play nice with each other or conspecfics...

 

[nonstopfishies]

Wow, that is a nice tank.

Better start saving Newbie, lol. But when you get them all set up I will pay admission to come over from WI to check em out.

 

[Reefing Newbie]

I plan on being a radiologist, get paid a pretty penny I will live IN the tanks lol.