Maximizing how many fish you keep in a tank....
- Thread starter roger saltwaters
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Some people may consider my 29 gallon to be "over-stocked" with 5 fish. I will soon be adding a 6th, and then I will be at my limit.
I think the major factors of stocking your aquarium are:
1. Compatibility: This has to factor in the compatibility between the fish themselves, and whether the fish will be happy in that size tank. Keeping fish of similar aggression levels is always beneficial in keeping happy tank mates. The amount of "swimming" space should also fit the requirements of your fish.
2. Filtration: Do you have a sufficient filtration system to remove waste, and provide stable water parameters. I run a protein skimmer, refugium, and typical HOB filter with carbon. My system keeps all of my water parameters in check and my fish and corals are thriving.
Again, this is just my opinion. If you want to be on the safe side, of course its smart to have fewer fish in your aquarium. But, if you are willing to put the time, effort, and money, into providing a safe environment for more fish than by all means go for it!
I think the major factors of stocking your aquarium are:
1. Compatibility: This has to factor in the compatibility between the fish themselves, and whether the fish will be happy in that size tank. Keeping fish of similar aggression levels is always beneficial in keeping happy tank mates. The amount of "swimming" space should also fit the requirements of your fish.
2. Filtration: Do you have a sufficient filtration system to remove waste, and provide stable water parameters. I run a protein skimmer, refugium, and typical HOB filter with carbon. My system keeps all of my water parameters in check and my fish and corals are thriving.
Again, this is just my opinion. If you want to be on the safe side, of course its smart to have fewer fish in your aquarium. But, if you are willing to put the time, effort, and money, into providing a safe environment for more fish than by all means go for it!
reeferfoxx
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I think it's possible. But like many always say, just go slow. Don't over burden your bio-load all at once. If the tank is properly maintained, you will know what is too many. And research research research
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There is no real way of saying how many fish you can keep. There are however guide lines and anecdotal evidence to support the guidelines. Past that there is not much on cold hard facts. The first breeding pair of blue hippo tangs that I heard of came out of a 90 Gallon..
That said what does 90 gallon mean. ... Tanks now come in all shapes and sizes so the gallon range just does not work in my opinion. My aquarium is 400 gallons +/- but is 16 feet long and 3 feet wide almost .
I am on the fence with fish stocking guidelines I think everyone should just use common sense. With me saying that telling someone with a 30 gallon cube cant keep a small yellow tang is just untrue. Will the fish outgrow the tank YES will the tank be up for 6 years NO. The average lifespan for the common reef tank is 2 years from what I get out of major players in the game.
I however do not support overstocked tanks as there is no need for this nor do i support selling some types of fish. I do however have faith in people to make the right choice is stocking. This is not helped by most LFS who will lie and or stretch the truth to sell a fish. The overall health and supply chain of the saltwater industry leaves a lot to be desired.
As for the question on how to stock a reef tank or saltwater tank the answer is never simple yes or no. I approach this hobby with a goal and or look in mind. I setup my tank and stock it to achieve said goal. I do not want a tank that looks over full or empty so somewhere in the middle is just the right stocking level.
That said what does 90 gallon mean. ... Tanks now come in all shapes and sizes so the gallon range just does not work in my opinion. My aquarium is 400 gallons +/- but is 16 feet long and 3 feet wide almost .
I am on the fence with fish stocking guidelines I think everyone should just use common sense. With me saying that telling someone with a 30 gallon cube cant keep a small yellow tang is just untrue. Will the fish outgrow the tank YES will the tank be up for 6 years NO. The average lifespan for the common reef tank is 2 years from what I get out of major players in the game.
I however do not support overstocked tanks as there is no need for this nor do i support selling some types of fish. I do however have faith in people to make the right choice is stocking. This is not helped by most LFS who will lie and or stretch the truth to sell a fish. The overall health and supply chain of the saltwater industry leaves a lot to be desired.
As for the question on how to stock a reef tank or saltwater tank the answer is never simple yes or no. I approach this hobby with a goal and or look in mind. I setup my tank and stock it to achieve said goal. I do not want a tank that looks over full or empty so somewhere in the middle is just the right stocking level.
skyjacker07
Active Member
Like it's been said above, if you know what you want in your tank, and adjust your stocking level. Both my fresh and saltwater tanks are over stocked, but to feed my plants and coral I don't have to dose anything with nitrates, that and weekly water changes to keep everything healthy.
ReeferReefer
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If you need more nutrients you can add more fish. Keep them peaceful and small is what I would say. It all depends on the system. Obviously the people who advise light stocking only have the best interest of the fish in mind. No one here is against you, we just love fish!
eatbreakfast
Fish Nerd
But how can anybody dictate that someone else's tank is overstocked if nutrients are under control and there isn't aggression. Different maintenance techniques and variation in filtration capacity really limit how accurate fish stocking calculators can be.
To use an analogy of roommates doesn't always translate to fish. Many fish, especially planktivores, feel much more comfortable if there are a lot of other fish around them, however replicating this is difficult in aquaria for nutrient control. If nutrients are under control, then that is not an issue.
Adding slowly, and testing water frequently, as well as livestock health, both fish and corals, will determine stocking capacity.
A word of caution when trying to overstock though, especially when using biopellets or carbon dosing, is O2 levels can get pretty low, but skimming, ozone, uv sterilization, and surface agitation can help mitigate this.
To use an analogy of roommates doesn't always translate to fish. Many fish, especially planktivores, feel much more comfortable if there are a lot of other fish around them, however replicating this is difficult in aquaria for nutrient control. If nutrients are under control, then that is not an issue.
Adding slowly, and testing water frequently, as well as livestock health, both fish and corals, will determine stocking capacity.
A word of caution when trying to overstock though, especially when using biopellets or carbon dosing, is O2 levels can get pretty low, but skimming, ozone, uv sterilization, and surface agitation can help mitigate this.
OP
OP
roger saltwaters
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I have 9 now and have some aggression issues but I think that has to do with fish type not number. My only offender is a flame angel. I think if she wasn't part of the picture (and such a diva) then I could put in several more. Thanks for the input folks.
Untamedrose
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1" of the adult fish per 5 gallons of water. Is the one I have heard. But still have to consider lots of other things. Plus....eh....it takes a bit to get to adult size for some species.
Bioload is a better general rule of thumb IMO. If you Could* totally skip the water changes b/c your tanks bioload is lower then
its filtration abilities. Should be able to add another fish. If at the end of two week your nitrates are medium...you have hit your limit.
*Course you dont skip water changes, being a good reefer
lewis.maryann08
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I have a 80 gallon and I only have 7 fish and they are all small.. can't seem to buy any that are not sick just about ready to give up on saltwater fish hurts to bad to lose them..feelings and pocket book! !!
lewis.maryann08
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I will from now on
reeferfoxx
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Are you buying from different vendors?
From someone that has done it both ways for a long time, quarantining is much cheaper on the long term. It's unbelievable how much a healthy non parasite infested fish can put up with.
You CAN keep a much larger fish load than most reefers do, but as others said it is about how much work your willing to put in. Stocking order and list also has quite a bit to do with it. I have 4 very big tangs, 4 very big halichoerus wrasse, 4 big (3 male) leopard wrasse, 2 big butterflies, a good sized trigger, and some other miscellaneous fish in my 200g for a total of about 30+ fish in the system. No aggression. Taking a lot of work to keep nutrients in check though. Also trying to get away from carbon dosing due to the cons of it. Not easy.
I actually kind of want to cut my bioload in about half but I can't convince myself what fish to get rid of. Most of mine serve a purpose. And I'm a wrasse-a-holic so those have to stay.
lewis.maryann08
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I want to get me a wrasse also I have my 7 fish in QT right now trying to get them better I ordered them off line so not sure if my blonde tang is going to make it I hope he dose I love tangs ..
It's hard to know if they are sick when ordering off line I lost 5
It's hard to know if they are sick when ordering off line I lost 5
Untamedrose
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I want to get me a wrasse also I have my 7 fish in QT right now trying to get them better I ordered them off line so not sure if my blonde tang is going to make it I hope he dose I love tangs ..
It's hard to know if they are sick when ordering off line I lost 5
I've heard talk that there is a real issue right now with the wholesalers..... but I know nothing more then seen it commented.
Do hope your ordering from places that have a 14 day guarantee.
lewis.maryann08
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Well I was told they didnt have any more clownfish right now and that when they get more I would have to pay the over night shipping .. they did resend my tang because the other one died but they didnt send the tang that I had ordered and payed for so I will just lose my money from them ...because I didn't want any more sick fish ..
patsheridan
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I did a quick calculation using the "peace offering" calculator Carrie B posted a link to above, and for my 75g bowfront I came up with 17" of fish. Assuming 2.5" average (I don't keep any large fish in this small of a tank - largest is a Spotted Bristletooth Tang and he is by far the biggest), I come away with 6.8 (round up to 7) fishes. And this seems to me to be about right.
I just can't see stuffing a bunch of fish in our tanks. I come at it from the perspective that we are creating (and are therefore responsible for properly and humanely maintaining) living bio-systems in miniature, and should keep the health and well-being of our livestock toward the top of the priority list.
I'll step off my soap-box now . . .
I just can't see stuffing a bunch of fish in our tanks. I come at it from the perspective that we are creating (and are therefore responsible for properly and humanely maintaining) living bio-systems in miniature, and should keep the health and well-being of our livestock toward the top of the priority list.
I'll step off my soap-box now . . .
