Amount of fish per tank

[ravedood]

What is the rule of thumb for the amount of fish per tank? Is it one fish per 10 gallons? Or 1 inch per 10 gallons? Or something totally different?

 

[smchais]

The general rule has been approximately 1 inch of fish per gallon. But then again it would all depend on how stocked it is with other stuff. and whether you had a good skimmer...HTH

 

[loyalrogue]

Re: Amount of fish per tank

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12354657#post12354657 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ravedood
1 inch per 10 gallons

Of course that's a VERY general rule of thumb.
In actuality it really depends on each individual species' needs, requirements, temperaments, habitats, and aggressiveness.
The one rule to marine aquariums is that there is no one rule.

***edit*** Kewlworm is right that, Yes, the 1 inch per gallon is a basic FW aquarium rule of thumb.
Also, Steve is right that with good husbandry and a skimmer you can definitely "overstock" a tank with longterm success.

 

[Kewlworm]

I thought that rule was for fresh water and 1 inch of fish per 10 gallon was for salt...

 

[ej797]

I think that rule of thumb is 1 inch per gallon. I'm not sure that that applies to reef tanks. I have a 120 and I can't imagine having 120 of inches of fish. Also, remember that certain fish require a longer tank to swim in. For instance, I believe Tangs should have a minimum of 4 linear feet to swim.

Just my two cents.

 

[coralfragger101]

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/fish-diseases-treatments/24702-marine-fish-stocking-limit.html

 

[ReefWreak]

I've been alrightish with 1 inch per 10 gallons, but again, VERY general rule, especially considering the agressivness of each fish that goes in. That's usually where the problem happens, moreso than just plain ol' overstocking...

 

[loyalrogue]

Nice find, Chuck. :thumbsup:

 

[ej797]

That link is a good read!!!

+1 nice find!

 

[illal]

u cant really use that rule in saltwater... it all depends on skimmer, water changes, how much LR, what type of fish, ect..

 

[nyvp]

also you have to figure in that that rule is ment for the end size of the fish not for the size when you buy it. The fish will get larger so figure that into the equation.

 

[ravedood]

I've heard the fish adjusts its growth rate according to the size of the tank. Is that true?

 

[TorryRx]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12356781#post12356781 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ravedood
I've heard the fish adjusts its growth rate according to the size of the tank. Is that true?

No, it's a very common misconception but it definitely is not true for saltwater fish. I believe, maybe, that some freshwater fish grow to the size of their tanks but saltwater fish will keep growing despite the tank size.

IME, I find that I can tell when I'm getting close to max bioload just by observing my tank (usually, the corals are the first ones to let me know I've gone a bit too far). Since it's important to stock slowly in the beginning, I just learned my limits based on my tank.

It's way too complicated and tank-specific to try to figure out a definitive rule for stocking, so I go slow and keep an eye on my tank. I think many people develop an eye for it with experience.

I have found that having a refugium and an over-sized skimmer really helps, since I like to push it with the bio-load. I have an ASM G-4 and a 40g refugium on my 180.

Hope this helps!

 

[deschlayer]

I have 1" per 8g in my tank, and it feels like I could put alot more fish in. my trates are at 0 and I hardly ever do water changes. If you get fish that swim alot It will feel more full. one clarkii even if she is only 4" will be all over a tank and make it fell like there are more fish. where as my volitan just sits in one place and poops, so I even though he is twice the size of the clarkii It fells like he takes up 1/10 of the space. If you want to make your tank "look" full dont put slow fish in it.