Real Talk about the limitation on number of fish in a tank

[mochlate]

Ive read lots of peoples opinions about how many fish you can have in a tank, but the explanations are all over the place. Can we help break down why you can only have so many fish in a tank and what you can do to sustain more in a tank?

 

[ssky]

In my opinion this a very subjective topic. All depends on your maintenance habits, filtration, water volume.

 

[mochlate]

Right, thats my point everyone says that.

But my question is wanting more of an answer like

"A tank can self sustain 1 fish per 5 gallon given you have 1lb of rock per gallon water, if you want to add 2 fish per 5 gallon then you are going to need to do weekly water changes or add this to your tank"

That was total BS, but I'm looking for something along those lines

I have a 20gallon tank with 4 small fish and am curious what I can do to add more without crashing the tank

 

[FoxFace Fish]

then you will have to be the first to figure it out. Sorry to tell you but there is no magical answer to that. There are no purple unicorns in our tanks that regulate that stuff.

here is the equation i use.....If my parameters in my tank get worse something is wrong. If my fish is stressed it has a problem. everything is diffrent

 

[j.falk]

Too many variables and everyone's tank is set up differently. You will never get a concrete answer to your question.

 

[sde1500]

Right, thats my point everyone says that.

But my question is wanting more of an answer like

"A tank can self sustain 1 fish per 5 gallon given you have 1lb of rock per gallon water, if you want to add 2 fish per 5 gallon then you are going to need to do weekly water changes or add this to your tank"

That was total BS, but I'm looking for something along those lines

I have a 20gallon tank with 4 small fish and am curious what I can do to add more without crashing the tank

Except there isn't such an answer available. How big is the adult size of the fish? What is it's diet? Where does it tend to stay, ie is it a percher, stay in the sand bed, or swims the water column? Do you do water changes, skim, dose, use a fuge, algae scrubber etc?

 

[nereefpat]

Stocking lists for tanks come down to 3 things:

1. Does the tank size meet the minimum size requirements for each fish...at maturity?

2. Compatibility

3. Dealing with nutrients (sump, fuge, algae scrubber, skimmer, water changes, carbon dosing, etc).

For the most part, stock lists are a case by case basis. We can help if you give us your current list, and also what fish you would like to add.

 

[Uncle99]

One thing for sure, the less the better, so if you want lots, get a big tank.
I do One inhabitant for every 10 gallons, and each is a community member and no tangs....but that's me.