Am I done adding fish?

[Ayrity]

I have a 65 Gallon tank with about 20 gallons in a sump as well, I figure I have roughly 70-75 gallons in the whole system. Currently everyone is doing great, but I do want to know if I've reached my ceiling on adding new fish buddies. Currently in the system, I have: 2 oscillaris clowns, 4 PJ cardinals, a lawnmower blenny, and a melanurus wrasse. All water params seem fine/stable/in check, but using all the different "rules" for how many fish in a system, some say I'm done, and some say I have plenty of room still for 2 or 4 more fish eventually.

I know this topic has been done to death, and I just finished reading a bunch of similar threads but every case is different and just wanted some custom input from some veterans. Currently it's a really chill tank, everyone has plenty of space and territory. Would just love to be able to add some more color/activity to the tank eventually, and really don't want to give up one or two of the PJ cardinals since they are social and have lived together for over a year now (don't like breaking up families haha).

If I'm done, I'm done, I respect their health and happiness enough to not be selfish and really crowd the system, but it would be nice to know I can grow it some more when I feel the urge.

FYI I currently have an appropriately sized skimmer and have a light macro algae fuge, and am planning on expanding the sump soon for unrelated reasons (my sump is in a side cabinet not under the tank, and I need a new piece of furniture anyway so I am adding some extras to it and maybe replacing with a bigger one as well as hard plumbing and adding a manifold and a clarisea roller too).

Just looking for some input thanks guys!

 

[AdamB]

I think you might be able to add more .
I’ve had problems with my tank being too clean with the 00’s on nitrate and po4 ! Ive added 4 more fish to my tank and will be adding more as it seems my chaeto , rock and skimmer are too efficient!
What’s your current water change schedule and what’s your nitrate levels before you do the change ?

 

[ahiggins]

I’ve only had 40 gal and less but I thought you judge by display and not sump? My rule of thumb has always been to look at display and how much swim room they need.

 

[destro]

I think it all depends on what you want to add. Do you have lots of live rock / bio media for load management?

 

[AdamB]

Agree with ahiggins on that thought in picking more fish that occupies the lesser occupied areas but I have seen some tanks that are packed ! aI don’t know how they do that and along with the bioload that your tank can handle

 

[JasonK84]

Agree with ahiggins on that thought in picking more fish that occupies the lesser occupied areas but I have seen some tanks that are packed ! aI don’t know how they do that and along with the bioload that your tank can handle

Like this?

 

[AdamB]

Like this?

Nice ! Yes like that !

 

[Hemmdog]

Like this?

That is so messed up.

 

[Ayrity]

I’ve only had 40 gal and less but I thought you judge by display and not sump? My rule of thumb has always been to look at display and how much swim room they need.

Yeah, that's why I listed the tank size too. I think both factor in, DT for swimming room/territory and total water volume for nutrient control.

 

[Ayrity]

That is so messed up.

Totally agree, I'm stressed out looking at it. No idea how someone could enjoy that tank.

 

[Ayrity]

Agree with ahiggins on that thought in picking more fish that occupies the lesser occupied areas but I have seen some tanks that are packed ! aI don’t know how they do that and along with the bioload that your tank can handle

Swim space is def important, I just wanted some idea of how close to "done" I am.

 

[Hemmdog]

Totally agree, I'm stressed out looking at it. No idea how someone could enjoy that tank.

Yea no kidding, lol. For you I think you could fit a flasher wrasse of some sort, a leopard wrasse if you have sand, a mandarin if you have a fuge.

 

[Ayrity]

Yea no kidding, lol. For you I think you could fit a flasher wrasse of some sort, a leopard wrasse if you have sand, a mandarin if you have a fuge.

I really want a mandarin, but I am having the hardest time with pods reaching a breeding level in my system... hmm.

Also I was really leaning towards something small, but getting a few again, I am a big fan of schooling and social interaction within species. I was thinking maybe some flame cardinals because they would add some color, are smaller, and would hopefully school together a bit, but are differently shaped than the PJ cardinals I already have.

 

[JasonK84]

Totally agree, I'm stressed out looking at it. No idea how someone could enjoy that tank.

That is so messed up.

I like it! And I enjoy looking at it every day. I realize it’s overstocked and that was what I wanted. Also, the fish room is built and started moving everything in.

 

[TheShrimpNibbler]

I really want a mandarin, but I am having the hardest time with pods reaching a breeding level in my system... hmm.

Also I was really leaning towards something small, but getting a few again, I am a big fan of schooling and social interaction within species. I was thinking maybe some flame cardinals because they would add some color, are smaller, and would hopefully school together a bit, but are differently shaped than the PJ cardinals I already have.

The Melanarus may be eating your pods. Many wrasse constantly scour the rocks for pods, and that can really bring the numbers of them down.

 

[Cment]

I think you can add another fish or 2 like a royal gramma and a small flasher wrasses like a McCosker. I think if your fish are healthy, get along without serious bullying, and your water parameters are in check youre fine. Its hard to apply the rule of x-fish to x-gallon. yes there is such a thing as overstocked but I dont feel you are there yet.

 

[lavoisier]

I really want a mandarin, but I am having the hardest time with pods reaching a breeding level in my system... hmm.

Also I was really leaning towards something small, but getting a few again, I am a big fan of schooling and social interaction within species. I was thinking maybe some flame cardinals because they would add some color, are smaller, and would hopefully school together a bit, but are differently shaped than the PJ cardinals I already have.

If you want a Mandarin consider a tank bred. They are more expensive (a lot!) but they come eating frozen/prepared food and are hardy. It would be a beautiful addition to your tank. You could certainly add 2 or 3 more small fish but if you like the calm of your tank now add some colorful corals.

 

[Ayrity]

If you want a Mandarin consider a tank bred. They are more expensive (a lot!) but they come eating frozen/prepared food and are hardy. It would be a beautiful addition to your tank. You could certainly add 2 or 3 more small fish but if you like the calm of your tank now add some colorful corals.

Is there a reputable place online that either has or specializes in tank bread mandarin? I think I may top out at one possibly 2 more fish. And yeah, I am adding coral, just takes more time/attention at first!

 

[TheShrimpNibbler]

Is there a reputable place online that either has or specializes in tank bread mandarin? I think I may top out at one possibly 2 more fish. And yeah, I am adding coral, just takes more time/attention at first!

Biota sells captive bred ones, and they can be purchased through algae barn. However, captive bred mandarins still need a constant supply of food throughout the day, and still require pods. Their special digestive system requires this.

 

[lavoisier]

I got mine from Pacific East Aquarium. Yes, they will still need pods but nothing like a wild caught fish. Cultivate pods in your fug with phyto and pick up an auto feeder to feed throughout the day. Eheim sells a decent unit for not too much.