Can I add more fish????

[stew07]

I have been in the hobby for about 8 months now. Started with a 20 gallon innovative marine and have since updated to a 40 gallon innovative marine a few months ago. I have a skimmer, filter sock, mp 10 powerhead and Kessil A360 light. I have heard so many things about how many fish I can have based on length of fish and gallon size or based on the activity of the fish. Not sure what to believe? I want to do it right.

So the question is........... Can I have more fish?

Here is what I currently have...

1 royal gramma
1 yellow watchman goby
1 mimic puffer
1 small marine better (2 inches)
1 tiny starry benny
1 scooter dragonett

Thank you!

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Do you also have a sump? I'd say if so then yes maybe but if not I'd say you're maxed. A sump allows you to have more area of bacteria to process a larger bioload from fish.

 

[stew07]

no sump. it is a all in one tank. http://innovative-marine.com/nuvo-aquarium/mini40.html

 

[jraker]

imo, you are at the limit. i would remove the marine betta, they get huge and will eat smaller fish. i would also get rid of the scooter dragonet unless you have an ample amount of pods or if it is eating frozen foods.

 

[stew07]

I have lots of pods and the dragonet eats frozen. Also, the marine betta is my favorite fish I plan on getting rid of him when he gets big. He is maybe only 2 inches now

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I agree with jraker the betta has gotta go they do get huge, and agree on scooter is fine but you will have to have lots of pods, but you can culture your own pretty easily.

That betta won't be your favorite after it grows a bit and starts eating its tank mates

 

[Blue spot]

I think your pushing it a little , what are you thinking of adding ? When I had a tank similar size I had double the qty and species of fish but chose fish that stayed relatively small. However this is not advisable with the beta. But it is a lovely fish so understand why it's your favourite. Ultimately you're water quality will tell you if you have to many fish in, coupled by aggression in the fish if they don't have adequate space, you can always try , just be prepared to take a fish out if it doesn't work out .

 

[stew07]

Thanks for your reply. I was thinking a bengali cardinal

 

[jraker]

marine bettas get about 8 inches, and will eat anything that will fit in their mouth. as it gets bigger, prepare for it to eat most of its tankmates, that is, if you keep it.

 

[Scubaken]

Agree with the above, the beta will certainly fix your over crowding in a hurry.

 

[Shawn O]

For extra bioload control these are supposed to be pretty good. Do you think you could fit one of the 1" plates or some of the spheres in the back of the tank? They're supposed to be better than live rock. Agree on the Betta. Beautiful but not a good tank-mate for anything but large, aggressive fish. Maybe you could keep the 20gal online the small fish and keep the 40gal for just the Betta?

 

[stew07]

I must be missing what your trying to show me Shawn O?

 

[Blue spot]

I'm not 100% sure but as Steve o said it was an inch thick he may have been talking about something like marine pure, just have a google for it.

 

[anthonys51]

how many fish you can fit into a tank isnt set in stone. loading more fish into a tank causes the bioload to increase. plus as the fish grows it only gets worse. people can push the limit with lots of water changes, a refgug sump, lots of live rock probably a few other ways. the 2nd problem you will have is aggression. dont think becuase they got along for 6 month while young you will be ok forever. as they grow and get more crowded the fish with no room will tend to get aggressive to the point they may kill everything in a few days . i would suggest in the beginning when your still a newbie, dont try to push to many rules. they are there for a reason. as you get better, i mean years not months then you can try. keeping a fish alive for a year or 18 months isnt an accomplishment