How many creatures?

[Mr31415]

In a 440l FOWLR tank, 15cm DSB, 45kg LR, Tunze Comline 9010 skimmer, FSB reactor, GAC & Phosphate reactors, chaeto in reverse photo period refugium, how many fish can I add without causing problems both nutrient wise and socially?

Also considering the final sizes of these animals.

Currently I have:
15cm Volitans Lionfish
Small Snowflake
Small Zebra
Ribbon Eel
Small Dragon Wrasse
Small Twin Spot Coris
Smallish Bird Wrasse
Small Comet (Assessor)
Small Black Frogfish

Some inverts, including Chocolate Chip Starfish, 2 x Green Brittlestars, 2 x Serpent Stars, 2 x Unknown Stars.

 

[dendro982]

Not an expert, but I think that you already have enough fish
Socially - you can see how they are interacting, bioload - by controllable nitrates growth, you know all of this. In a short time, lionfishes and eel will grow to a big size.

I have 90g almost FOWLR predators tank with 3 individualist fishes (chaetodermis, antennata lion and small valentini puffer) and they don't appreciate company to watch upon, when swimming in the tank. The other fish (clown, mandarin and scooter), starting from 3 cm size, is just too much for this tank. May be it's personal.

 

[Frick-n-Frags]

I probably would have been done after ribbon eel , but I'm a pretty extreme fish minimalist.

It's been my experience over the years, that uncrowded fish = unstressed fish(for many reasons) = showquality fish = live a really long time.

 

[Random Aquarist]

That's WAY overstocked. The lion and one of the eels alone is pushing it.

 

[Mr31415]

Why do you say that the Lion and one eel is overstocking it? The eel is not a fish that swims a lot - 99% of the time it hides out somewhere under the LR.

Currently there seems to be no (apparent) issues in terms of bioload or social interaction - I do however feel if they get bigger (say in 2 years time) they would be too big for the tank. My idea is to move to a 1000l or larger tank by then.

 

[Mr31415]

Other opinions?

 

[Myka]

Too many fish.

 

[Mr31415]

What sized tank would be sufficient?