How to work out how many fish to keep

[Sarah1990]

When working out how many fish you can keep in your tank I know the general rule is 1 inch of fish to 1 gallon of water, but do you only count the gallons in your display or the total volume including the sump?

 

[Tahoe61]

Total volume of the system.

Check out the link below it may offer more insight into stocking a tank. The 1 inch to 1 gallon does not really apply and is an antiquated guideline.

Poll: How Many Fish per Gallon?

What do you use as a guideline for your stocking density? Is it a certain number per gallon? Is it a certain number of inches of fish per gallon? Is it based on the age and bio capacity of your tank? Or do you just wing it? It's an age old question and often asked by new members getting...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[James M]

you only count your display tank

 

[Sarah1990]

Total volume of the system.

Check out the link below it may offer more insight into stocking a tank. The 1 inch to 1 gallon does not really apply and is an antiquated guideline.

Poll: How Many Fish per Gallon?

What do you use as a guideline for your stocking density? Is it a certain number per gallon? Is it a certain number of inches of fish per gallon? Is it based on the age and bio capacity of your tank? Or do you just wing it? It's an age old question and often asked by new members getting...

www.reef2reef.com

Thank you very much that's really helpful

 

[LesPoissons]

aslo, if you list the size of your tank and the inhabitants you have, and a list of what you want, we can help you decide on a happy tank family- what fish will work best with your tank, what order to put them in etc.

 

[PatW]

Like every thing, it depends. Some people do fine with systems that are stocked way more heavily than that. With the proper nutrient export, husbandry and filtration, you can certainly go higher and often much higher.

And not all fish put that much load on a tank. Dart fish per inch don’t contribute much. One could have 6 of them for less impact than a 6” angel or tang... that is if they don’t murder each other.

And there is what the fish will allow. Some fish like some of the large aggressive damsels will murder everything in the tank.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Hello,

Everyone hit good points, keep in mind the type of fish you’re putting in your type of tank. The size of tank and amount of biological filter will factor in. Example would be an 8 inch angel in a 20 gallon tank.

 

[WVNed]

I have kept
1 in 8 gallons
2 in 20
5 in 30
8 in 54
10 in 75

Something like 1 per 5 gallons or so. I like to keep it easy and not push things though. My 75 also has gone 8 hours without power and no one was harmed.