Minimum tank size

[Jmas4]

I have always wondered, who comes up with the minimum tank size for different fish species? Is it scientists/biologists who study these animals in the wild and come up with reasonable and practical estimates for tank size? Or is it a random aquarist who came up with a number based on his experience and slowly his estimate spread amongst other people. Is it online/lfs stores that try to sell you these fish and they came up with a number and that spread too?

I'm not bashing the minimum tank size ideology. In fact, I'm in support of it since it sets guidelines for the well being of the fish. I'm just curious on how it all started.

 

[Jesterrace]

I could be wrong, but my guess is that it's a combo of personal experiences coupled with the fact that websites like liveaquaria have gotten their hands slapped in the past by posting ridiculously small minimum tank sizes and enough people complained that they attempted to make a more general rule of thumb minimum instead of (what's the smallest possible tank anyone has gotten this fish to work in). A Minimum tank size IMHO should not only be based on the max size of the fish, but also things like level of activity.

 

[mike werner]

I think it was my wife.she always says I have to many fish and my tank is not big enough for them.she's wrong.but if she asks my local fish store they have been instructed to lie and hide the minimum size chart.future sales depend on it.
I have a 200 gal.with 30 fish so I told her 20 more at most.

 

[NY_Caveman]

I have always wondered, who comes up with the minimum tank size for different fish species? Is it scientists/biologists who study these animals in the wild and come up with reasonable and practical estimates for tank size? Or is it a random aquarist who came up with a number based on his experience and slowly his estimate spread amongst other people. Is it online/lfs stores that try to sell you these fish and they came up with a number and that spread too?

I'm not bashing the minimum tank size ideology. In fact, I'm in support of it since it sets guidelines for the well being of the fish. I'm just curious on how it all started.

A lot of it comes from understanding a fish's behavior in the wild. This comes from a mix of scientific research as well as the anecdotal evidence of divers, collectors, LFS and reef enthusiasts. Large Tangs for example will graze over a large area of a reef in the wild (miles perhaps), so people suggest they need room to swim and explore. Anecdotal eveidence of reef keepers bears this out. They do best in 200+ gallon aquiariums.

 

[eatbreakfast]

For the most part it comes from experienced hobbyists, not just one. Some are using observations from diving, snorkeling, documentaries, and scientists' observations. But mostly from personal observations in tanks. When fish are housed in too small of tanks it often becomes quite obvious over time. Most of the time when someone offers a contradictory opinion it is someone that had "success" for months rather than years.

 

[Jmas4]

Thanks for the info!

 

[Zack K]

All of the information above is very helpful, just wanted to add a side note. The minimum sizes may change. Obviously as new research pours in all the time. This means it could be very wrong. I think the most important to observe is “When fish are housed in too small of tanks, it becomes apparent overtime”-EB.

Moral of the story, take the number as a guideline, but use your best judgment.