Inches of fish per gallon?

[Bkab_Jay]

While staying inside the recommended size aquarium recommendation for each fish.

Used to be a general rule of thumb about how many inches of fish you wanted in your reef tank. Does this still apply or is it pretty much all fall under bioload now?

Obviously, won’t add everything at once, but do want to plan accordingly.

 

[flchamp89]

It's an anaquated rule that doesn't take in account the tanks foot print. It's not what I would recommend.

 

[Bkab_Jay]

See! I been wanting to do a reef for so long that the rules have changed, guess you can’t say I’m impatient! Hahahaha!

So do you suggest finding the fish I like most, make a list from favorit-ist to least focorit-ist and just add slowly and watch bioload?

Tank footprint is 48x18

21 tall

 

[Eva Rose]

Make a list of fish you would like to have. Then submit on R2R for suggestions. Members will make suggestions on the order in which you add fish which is important. In general add more aggressive fish last, more peaceful fish first.
Submitting your list and getting advice will help you have a more successful stocking. Members may even suggest great options you might not have thought of for your tank.
Also look at videos online of fish you consider. Sometimes seeing a fish in movement makes you appreciate it more than a static photo.
Enjoy planning & stocking process - you will get a lot of support here.

 

[flchamp89]

4ft tank you certainly have some options. You also need to determine if you want corals and what types. I think you plan out what you want and build your rig to suite the inhabitants needs while also making the reefer happy.

 

[Bkab_Jay]

Thank you both.
I will begin a list of fish and corals. Though the corals are hard. Every time I see a new one with poopin colors I want it.....

I’ll get started on the fish list first. The only one I really want that isn’t suggested for a 75g tank is a yellow or a convict tang (one or the other.)

 

[vetteguy53081]

This is a general suggestion and not rule which applied to freshwater stocking years ago.
In saltwater, we have to apply an educated guess as to what is adequate bearing in mind that in the wild, many saltwater fish graze and explore their environment daily and therefore have to consider what can we provide for both swimming room and hiding while allowing them room to explore in a somewhat closed environment. Also consider the maximum size the fish will achieve when acquiring them as some may require a 300 gallon tank.
That myth about smaller the tank. . . smaller the fish will grow > > > > > > > > > > >
" AS AN ENGLISHMAN WILL SAY " THAT IS RUBBISH " !! lol

 

[Elegance Coral]

Inch per fish really doesn't work at all. My 14" vlamingi tang puts a much larger load on my system than 14, 1" gobies would.

I usually tell people to start stocking the tank slowly. As the population rises, you have to add more food, and more maintenance is required. Most people reach a point where they don't want to work on the system any more than they are, and that's a good time to stop adding fish.

Peace
EC

 

[mta_morrow]

It’s all about bioload and compatibility.

The advice from @Eva Rose above is the best advice.

I have 24 fish in a 100 gallon and will be adding more. No issues with bioload or aggression.

I plan on adding more as I beef up my filtration.

One major key is to Choose fish that occupy all areas of the tank.

Fish that primarily live:
Bottom, on the rocks, in caves, in burrows, around and near the rock, mid tank open water, upper tank open water.

We’re here to help!

 

[Bkab_Jay]

This is a general suggestion and not rule which applied to freshwater stocking years ago.
In saltwater, we have to apply an educated guess as to what is adequate bearing in mind that in the wild, many saltwater fish graze and explore their environment daily and therefore have to consider what can we provide for both swimming room and hiding while allowing them room to explore in a somewhat closed environment.

Yessir. That is why I’m asking questions. I’ve read a little and apparently cross contaminated my memory a bit. Lol.

 

[Bkab_Jay]

Inch per fish really doesn't work at all. My 14" vlamingi tang puts a much larger load on my system than 14, 1" gobies would.

I usually tell people to start stocking the tank slowly. As the population rises, you have to add more food, and more maintenance is required. Most people reach a point where they don't want to work on the system any more than they are, and that's a good time to stop adding fish.

Peace
EC

Agreed. That’s why I’m mostly (1exception I think) sticking to/under the suggested tank size recommendations

 

[Bkab_Jay]

It’s all about bioload and compatibility.

The advice from @Eva Rose above is the best advice.

I have 24 fish in a 100 gallon and will be adding more. No issues with bioload or aggression.

I plan on adding more as I beef up my filtration.

One major key is to Choose fish that occupy all areas of the tank.

Fish that primarily live:
Bottom, on the rocks, in caves, in burrows, around and near the rock, mid tank open water, upper tank open water.

We’re here to help!

I thought that might be the case as far as bioload and compatibility. Though I didn’t mention the compatibility.

For instance I want a lion fish bad. But they apparently hate almost everything so I’ll be leaving them alone.

 

[Bkab_Jay]

Also, @mta_morrow , is there a particular site you use to find out where the fish like to hang out? I’ve not been seeing that info on any sites I’ve been looking at fish on.

 

[Elegance Coral]

I thought that might be the case as far as bioload and compatibility. Though I didn’t mention the compatibility.

For instance I want a lion fish bad. But they apparently hate almost everything so I’ll be leaving them alone.

IMHO, lion fish get a bad rap. They aren't aggressive at all. If a fish won't fit in their mouths, they ignore them. They don't chase and harass other fish. Even the smaller fish are typically smart enough to avoid the lion fish's mouth. IME, lion fish are the victims of harassment much more than the other way around.
Peace
EC

 

[Bkab_Jay]

See, I’m smiling bigger than ish right now!

That sounds like my spirit animal!

 

[Eva Rose]

Most important thing to remember is take your time. It is actually more fun that way! Stock slowly. This way more peaceful/shy fish establish themselves first. You want to enjoy watching your fish & not have them stressed (or hiding).
Also avoid impulse buying. Some LFS employees will give incorrect information (often unknowingly) and suggest a fish that won’t be compatible with your tank. I have often heard them suggest livestock that will not work in a customer’s tank conditions. Check here first.
Also R2R can help with advising on fish labeled “Reef safe with Caution”. This term applies to fish that might fall into one of these categories:
*may eat your inverts
*may nip certain corals
*may be a threat to both corals & inverts
*may eat smaller fish that fit into its mouth once it is larger

 

[mta_morrow]

Also, @mta_morrow , is there a particular site you use to find out where the fish like to hang out? I’ve not been seeing that info on any sites I’ve been looking at fish on.

I don’t know if a site that has that particular information.

I would recommend that as you make your list or have any questions or concerns, post them here:

Need help deciding on whether or not a fish is right for your tank? Post here and we'll help!

i love the solon so i'd totally risk it, but.. pintail c. isoscoles is super docile and pretty. if you really want super peaceful this is probably the one to get orangeback from that same complex is known to be much more peaceful, c. aurantidorsalis flame wrasses c. jordani are usually pretty...

www.reef2reef.com

We will be happy to help

 

[Jesterrace]

While staying inside the recommended size aquarium recommendation for each fish.

Used to be a general rule of thumb about how many inches of fish you wanted in your reef tank. Does this still apply or is it pretty much all fall under bioload now?

Obviously, won’t add everything at once, but do want to plan accordingly.

Inch or Inches per gallon is a joke with saltwater. Takes zero account of the temperament, level of activity, etc. of a given fish. I say it's much better to research the individual fish you want and then the stocking takes care of itself from there.

 

[nereefpat]

See, I’m smiling bigger than ish right now!

That sounds like my spirit animal!

There are a few smaller lionfish species can work in a 75. The dwarf zebra and fuzzy dwarf are good options. They still get big enough (6" or so) to eat most small fishes/crabs/shrimps we keep in reefs, so it does limit tank mates quite a bit. The common P. volitans lions get huge, so that isn't a good option.

As others have said, post a list of fishes you like, and we can help.

 

[Bkab_Jay]

There are a few smaller lionfish species can work in a 75. The dwarf zebra and fuzzy dwarf are good options. They still get big enough (6" or so) to eat most small fishes/crabs/shrimps we keep in reefs, so it does limit tank mates quite a bit. The common P. volitans lions get huge, so that isn't a good option.

As others have said, post a list of fishes you like, and we can help.

So far...
Yellow Tang
2 black ice clowns
Starcki Damsel
Flame Angel
Either a Fuzzy Or Zebra dwarf lion
Purple Firefish
Yellow Prawn Goby

A butterfly would be awesome but the ones I like most all hit 8” and are suggested for 125g tanks. Auriga/calculator/yellowhead (1, not all 3)