lots of fish = less fish picking on each other?

[timdam]

is this true? i'm not saying that it's right to overcrowd a tank. but is it true that more fish means less fish trying get territorial?

i mean, in freshwater, i've heard that if u buy two of the same fish, they might fight with each other. but if u buy three or more, they won't fight as much.

 

[Creetin]

Not really, I used to use this method with preds. Not that it equals less aggression it splits the aggression out so no one fish is picked on. Sorta like poop rolls down hill or pay it forward.

 

[Recty]

I think it's true... look on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nt7CAuweshQ

Plenty of examples (especially seems to be a thing that happens in the East) of tanks crammed with saltwater fish and they show little to no aggression, ever.

It's hard to be aggressive about defending your space when you have none.

Do I think it's right? No. But to answer the question, yes, if you way overcrowd a tank you'll see low aggression. It should be noted, just SLIGHTLY overcrowding is a bad idea, one or two fish will never be allowed to settle in and the others will claim their territory. You need to either way overstock or just do "normal".

 

[BrianD]

Another option would be to pick fish that are less territorial.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

More fish = more stressed out fish, IMHO.

 

[Kieth71]

I think the problem with alot of the tanks we see with all the big fish in a tiny tank is i have yet to see a long term tank done this way.It always appears that these tanks are newly setup to me.I wouldlike to see one of these tanks that has been set up for 5 years or longer and see what the health of these fish is like.I myself would not do it because i like for each fish to have his own place to sleep and his own space.Every one of these tanks appears to have very little hiding spots and all open space which doesnt look good for the fish imo.

 

[phil519]

I think it's true... look on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nt7CAuweshQ

Plenty of examples (especially seems to be a thing that happens in the East) of tanks crammed with saltwater fish and they show little to no aggression, ever.

Sorry but showing a 1 minute video maintained by a aquarium maintenance co. really proves nothing. Also I don't think it is necessary to especially point fingers at people in the "east" as I've seen people here stateside put 20 tangs in a 100 gallon and proclaim success. A year later they are out of the hobby.

Anyways - i agree with the overall point - which is - just because you can do it, doesn't mean you should.

 

[drparker]

It is a standard practice with certain FW Cichlids. I would not do it in a saltwater system.

 

[Jachael]

Sorry but showing a 1 minute video maintained by a aquarium maintenance co. really proves nothing. Also I don't think it is necessary to especially point fingers at people in the "east" as I've seen people here stateside put 20 tangs in a 100 gallon and proclaim success. A year later they are out of the hobby.

Anyways - i agree with the overall point - which is - just because you can do it, doesn't mean you should.

+1 -- Not to mention, if you watch closely in that video, you see some yellow tangs being chased. There is definately still aggression in that tank.

 

[timdam]

well, what if u don't super overcrowd. but instead of having two tangs, have three? do yall think it might help them from fighting?

 

[WETFISH]

I have kept the population in my 180g low ,7 fish.1 clown tang,2 yellow tangs,1 sailfin tang,2 tomato clowns,1 Alens damsel.I think that is why the overall aggression in the tank is low and no mortality for the past 5 years.The tank is two sided (rock island in the middle) ,so lots of swimming room and lots of corals and caves so lots of sheltering/hiding places.