How many fish??

[fishnchip]

I've heard lots of different opinions when it comes to how many fish, or inches of fish per gallon (we're talking saltwater of course). Wondering what everyone's opinion is on the matter and what they think is the best for maintaining a stable reef?

just curious! #reefsquad

 

[Crabs McJones]

The inches of fish per gallon is more geared towards freshwater. For saltwater I like to use sites such as aqua advisor, you put in your tank dimensions, and your wish list and it tells you where you're at as far as stocking level and percentage of water changes you should do to keep up with bioload. Otherwise a good post here on your wishlist to tank size is always a good option as well

 

[fishnchip]

The inches of fish per gallon is more geared towards freshwater. For saltwater I like to use sites such as aqua advisor, you put in your tank dimensions, and your wish list and it tells you where you're at as far as stocking level and percentage of water changes you should do to keep up with bioload. Otherwise a good post here on your wishlist to tank size is always a good option as well

Just checked out that site and it's telling me I shouldn't keep a Royal Gramma in a 36 gallon. Sounds a little off to me

 

[Crabs McJones]

Just checked out that site and it's telling me I shouldn't keep a Royal Gramma in a 36 gallon. Sounds a little off to me

Huh, weird. You're right. Probably just better to stick with asking the experts on here then lol ;Hilarious;Hilarious

 

[Gareth elliott]

Footprint will determine fish more than gallons. Marine fish tend to be territorial. A 90 gallon cube is radically different than a 100 standard in terms of stocking.

Will also be determined the types of fish you keep. You can keep multiple anthias in a 125 but 2 tangs of equal mass to the anthias is not as good of an idea.

 

[KrisReef]

If a fish can fit, it can be kept alive with constant water changes and feeding in a fairly small container. “Quality of life” issues, “humanitarian confinement” issues, can all be factored in so the number of inched per gallon doesn’t necessarily define all the parameters necessary to give one simple answer to this question.

I’ve heard of inStances where fish were lodged in a bathtub for emergencies and this setup is better than just flushing the fish after a tank failure or prolonged power outage, but long tterm planning for housing fish is hopefully more well thought out and conservative in stocking densities to allow for more of a safety cushion for challenges that may later.

 

[Oscaror]

It all depends on the nature of the fish and the footprint. Bioload can become an issue faster than territory and size restraints. A 10 gallon with no sump can hold less fish than a 10 gallon with a sump and strong filtration, only because the bioload would cap before the fish limit is reached. And different fish behave differently too. A mandarin dragonet could live in a pico tank as long as it's fed, but a flame angel which grows to the same length needs an exponentially larger tank due to its very active nature. Fish per inches doesn't really apply to SW since there isn't really enough consistency between fish.

 

[fishnchip]

Huh, weird. You're right. Probably just better to stick with asking the experts on here then lol ;Hilarious;Hilarious

Hasn’t failed me yet best forum out there by far!

 

[fishnchip]

Footprint will determine fish more than gallons. Marine fish tend to be territorial. A 90 gallon cube is radically different than a 100 standard in terms of stocking.

Will also be determined the types of fish you keep. You can keep multiple anthias in a 125 but 2 tangs of equal mass to the anthias is not as good of an idea.

Good way to put it!

 

[fishnchip]

If a fish can fit, it can be kept alive with constant water changes and feeding in a fairly small container. “Quality of life” issues, “humanitarian confinement” issues, can all be factored in so the number of inched per gallon doesn’t necessarily define all the parameters necessary to give one simple answer to this question.

I’ve heard of inStances where fish were lodged in a bathtub for emergencies and this setup is better than just flushing the fish after a tank failure or prolonged power outage, but long tterm planning for housing fish is hopefully more well thought out and conservative in stocking densities to allow for more of a safety cushion for challenges that may later.

That is very true. Keeping a healthy happy fish is my goal

 

[fishnchip]

It all depends on the nature of the fish and the footprint. Bioload can become an issue faster than territory and size restraints. A 10 gallon with no sump can hold less fish than a 10 gallon with a sump and strong filtration, only because the bioload would cap before the fish limit is reached. And different fish behave differently too. A mandarin dragonet could live in a pico tank as long as it's fed, but a flame angel which grows to the same length needs an exponentially larger tank due to its very active nature. Fish per inches doesn't really apply to SW since there isn't really enough consistency between fish.

Interesting! How do you go about knowing when your tank is fully stocked?

 

[madweazl]

I toss 'em in there until some start getting grumpy and bicker. That amounted to 10 in the 75g but the only real issue is the yellow tang; without him I could add some more I imagine.

 

[Oscaror]

Interesting! How do you go about knowing when your tank is fully stocked?

Its also situational. If your fish are more territorial yiu can gave far less than very peaceful fish. You just kinda have to use personal judgement to know when its overcrowding.

 

[ca1ore]

Interesting! How do you go about knowing when your tank is fully stocked?

Easy, you keep adding fish until the system crashes ….. the right number was one less than that!!

 

[ca1ore]

Bad jokes aside, it depends on a number of factors. You need to have a system that can process all the food input, there must be adequate swimming room and you must avoid too many fish that compete in the same niche. A 180 stuffed with live rock and coral will accommodate fewer fish than will one with an open aquascape.

 

[Jesterrace]

I've heard lots of different opinions when it comes to how many fish, or inches of fish per gallon (we're talking saltwater of course). Wondering what everyone's opinion is on the matter and what they think is the best for maintaining a stable reef?

just curious! #reefsquad

Honestly it's a foolish myth that doesn't even work well for freshwater and doesn't work at all for saltwater. Huge difference between a 3 inch firefish and it's needs and a 3 inch pygmy angel. It takes no account for temperament of the given fish or level of activity or height or girth of a given fish.

 

[fishnchip]

Easy, you keep adding fish until the system crashes ….. the right number was one less than that!!

Considering this hahahah

 

[Zionas]

I used Aquarium Advisor to come up with 3 potential updated stocking plans for my 4 foot, 48”x24”x22” tank. However, I’d still like your opinions here if you don’t mind. Thanks by the way for AA, I’m glad I found the tool:


Potential Plan A-

x2 Marine Bettas (I used Yellow Tang as substitute because YT is also about 8”)

x2 Black and White Ocellaris Clowns

x2 Flame Hawks (I used Longnose Hawk as a substitute)

x1 Royal Gramma

x3 Yellowtail Blue Damsels

(99%)



Potential Plan B-

x2 Marine Bettas (again, YT as a substitute)

x2 Black and White Ocellaris Clownfish

x2 Flame Hawks

x1 4” dwarf angel (species undecided)

x1 Royal Gramma

x3 Yellowtail Blue Damsels

(90%)





Potential Plan C-

x1 Marine Betta

x2 Black and White Ocellaris Clownfish

x2 Flame Hawkfish

x2 Flame Angels

x1 Royal Gramma

x3 Yellowtail Blue Damsels

(86%)




Plan D (this one is more conservative)

x1 Marine Betta

x2 Black and White Ocellaris Clowns

x2 Flame Hawkfish

x1 4” dwarf angel (species undecided)

x1 Royal Gramma

x3 Yellowtail Blue Damsels


Note my system will have live rock and corals, so all 3 plans may result in my system being overstocked. Let me know what you think.

 

[X-37B]

I have 11 in my 120. Lost my coris wrasse a week ago as it somehow found the feeding spot in the egg crate and went carpet surfing. The cats liked it though.
So down from 12. I agree that it depends on tank scape too.
I have a minimal scape and lots of swimming room.
Also I think matching fish to bioload is critical for long term results.
Many forget these small 11 fish will grow much larger and require more food and area when they are full size!
My fish are currently
6 chromis- they are 3 times the size 6 months later!
1 pajama cardinal
1 algae blenny
1 clown
1 tomini tang
1 convict tang.
I am at max now.
May have to remove the tomini as he was last in tank and chases the blenny and does not like the clown. I have a trap but it wont be easy with this one.
Matching correct type of fish is critical too.
What works for one might not for another.
Had to remove my pygmy angel as it picked at every sps after 2 months as a model citizen, if their is such a thing!

 

[Zionas]

How many Chromis did you start with? I heard they love to kill each other. How many would you recommend I keep?

Also, have you had any experiences with uronema brought by Chromis?