My system has 35 gallons, the display has 25 gallons and the sump 10 gallons, it holds filter socks, and a big refugium, no skimmer. The tank has been running for about 4 months. Right now I have a clownfish pair, a Bangai cardinal, a Orchid dottyback and a bicolor blenny (no agression, except when something gets too close to the Blenny's cave), it also has some soft and lps corals and a small clean up crew. Will I be able to add a firefish and have it live comfortably or will there be agression/will the tank be overstocked?
Will a firefish fit?
- Thread starter BitFix
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MERKEY
Cronies
General rule of thumb is 1 inch of fish per gallon.
Then you need to look at if there is enough sleeping space for everyone. Just because there is enough room doesn't mean there is enough spaces for the fish that sleep in rocks to do so comfortably.
A couple things...
1. Your tank is still really new and you have added a lot of livestock. I would suggest letting those guys settle a month before adding anything else including corals.
2. I would say you have room for a firefish if you have rock work for it to sleep in. Although a lot will say you are at stocking limit it really comes down to how much time you want to put into tank husbandry.
Then you need to look at if there is enough sleeping space for everyone. Just because there is enough room doesn't mean there is enough spaces for the fish that sleep in rocks to do so comfortably.
A couple things...
1. Your tank is still really new and you have added a lot of livestock. I would suggest letting those guys settle a month before adding anything else including corals.
2. I would say you have room for a firefish if you have rock work for it to sleep in. Although a lot will say you are at stocking limit it really comes down to how much time you want to put into tank husbandry.
I personally think that you’re probably maxed out on fish, but to each their own. More importantly, sounds like you stocked pretty quick. If you do end up adding a fire fish, at least wait a bit. Also, don’t forget to add a lid
I heard the 1 inch per gallon rule was very misleading. If I add any other fish I will of course wait 1 month to so before adding it (the perfect time for my quarantine process). My tank doesn't have that much rockwork, but the rock has plenty of holes and caves.
MERKEY
Cronies
Yup a lot of things in this hobby are miss leading
just gotta choose your path and try to stay consistent as the 1 thing that will mess your tank up is inconsistent numbers and swings. Either way you choose sound like your taking the right steps with quarantine.
I may have rushed on stocking, I waited 1 month before adding a batch of fish (quarantine time), since most of the fish I got were very small the bioload wasn't that big, but I'm definitely keeping an eye on parameters. My tank has a lid, but the holes may be too big. I will wait a bit before reconsidering.
I wouldn’t add a firefish to your existing tank because I think your bicolor blenny or dottyback would attack it. Your clowns might as attack him as well. IMO, I would’ve added him first, then the others .
MERKEY
Cronies
Dont stop there! Do 480 half inch fish!!!
The inch per gallon "rule" is for freshwater. Salt is more like an inch per 5 gallons. But, as you can see by the responses here, there are other things to take into account. Behavior, how they feed, aggression, etc, all need to be taken into account. As for the firefish, I agree it will most likely stay hidden if added at this point. They can do fine with the fish you have, but should be introduced first so they can get comfortable with their surroundings before adding other fish.
