How man fish can I add?
- Thread starter Mil26
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Two or three of the small variety such as Royal Gramma, Clowns, Blennies, Gobies (not sand sifting though). Inch per gallon does not really apply when working with saltwater fish in my opinion.
Tom Davey
Community Member
I have a 25 Gal with 2 fish and I am on the fence about adding a third. From the information I have read the main factor is how long will your fish live if the power goes out Salt water has less O2 than fresh water. Small fish use less O2, a small active Clown will use more O2 than a Beleny of equal size. If you have a sump the volume of water will be reduced when the pump is off also the Nitrates will rise with the lack of water movement.
Good luck hope this helps.
Good luck hope this helps.
eatbreakfast
Fish Nerd
There is no 'set number' of fish that you can add.
2-4 fish the size of clowns, gramma, chalk bass, bangaii or blenny, but the number significantly increases for smaller fish such as trimma, eviota, circus and clown gobies or a colony of barnacle blennies.
2-4 fish the size of clowns, gramma, chalk bass, bangaii or blenny, but the number significantly increases for smaller fish such as trimma, eviota, circus and clown gobies or a colony of barnacle blennies.
4FordFamily
Tang, Angel, and Wrasse Nerd!
However many your system can safely support, but the above suggestions are pretty solid too 
declanisadog
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Nutrient export plays a big role. Size of tank determines size of fish, and nutrient export dictates number of fish.
4FordFamily
Tang, Angel, and Wrasse Nerd!
Type of fish, as mentioned, is also very important. For instance, one tang or puffer probably produces as much "waste" as three or four smaller fish, and maybe two fish of other type that are the same size. Lots of factors. Very fat, well-fed fish will also dirty up the water faster, although they are probably healthier. More water changes!
Hmm I do not see where you can put 6 fish in a 20 gallon tank no matter what rule. You always have to consider displacement for water secondary to rock and sand. Three fish max to decrease the incidences of aggression, disease secondary to aggression and over crowding, and nutrient export. Sure if you have a sump and greater total water volume.
These rules seem obsolete to me. Too many variables to consider, better to error on the side of caution IMO.
Not trying to be contrary just trying to understand the logic in stocking more than 3 to 4 max ever ( and small fish like tiny gobies).
Over the years I learned the hard way. The last fish attempted/introduced always perished for different reasons. The variables that go into stocking make it impossible to state "rules of thumb".
You can add more fish if you have a large sump and yes I do consider dispacement of water with rock and sand and sump volume.and what I've read in some marine books they say to use the 1in per 5gal as a starting point .that's 1in of fish not 1 fish.and if you have a large sump say in your basement equal to or sometimes even larger than system you can go to 1in of fish per 3gallons.I have a 65 gallon reef with 20 + gallon sump .have a Yellowtail blue damsel, mated pr of clowns, a kole tang and a rabbit fish.
Those inch per gallon rules are not as important as considering fish types, behavior, feeding requirements when deciding how to stock a tank.
A better idea might be to make a fish list, consider the variables such as behavior, compatibility, feeding requirements. Use research to determine how many fish you can reasonably add to any type/size of a system.
^Excellent point.
4FordFamily
Tang, Angel, and Wrasse Nerd!
I concur 100%
haleyf1024
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I say 2-3 small/med fish like clowns or gobies. Maybe 4 if they are small fish, like clown gobies. Don't try to get big fish like tangs, angels etc. let us see some pics when it is up and running [emoji3]
