Rule of Thumb for fish

Str8linespeed · 08/10/2016, 07:15 PM

What is the rule of thumb for the amount of fish per gallon? I seem to get a wide range of answers from my LFS's.

itz frank · 08/10/2016, 07:28 PM

There isn't an answer. The tank will tell you over time. Either you'll find crowding issues from too many fish or your nutrients will require larger amounts of maintenance and TLC.

CarrieB · 08/10/2016, 07:34 PM

Here's one way to estimate:

http://www.howmanyfish.com

Obviously a gross estimation, but if you are looking for a starting point.

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Str8linespeed · 08/10/2016, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itz frank

There isn't an answer. The tank will tell you over time. Either you'll find crowding issues from too many fish or your nutrients will require larger amounts of maintenance and TLC.

Well that certainly could be why I get a large range of answers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarrieB

Here's one way to estimate:

http://www.howmanyfish.com

Obviously a gross estimation, but if you are looking for a starting point.

Great link, thank you! My current tank is a Red Sea C130 (27gal. viewing area,7gal. sump) I have 4 fish (2 Cardinals, 1 Blenny and 1 Goby). Irs obviously a small tank, but the wife likes to watch the fish and wanted to get 2 more. Myself I enjoy the corals and small life in the rocks. I just dont want to cause any problems for the critters and would like to play it safe.

CarrieB · 08/11/2016, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Str8linespeed

Great link, thank you! My current tank is a Red Sea C130 (27gal. viewing area,7gal. sump) I have 4 fish (2 Cardinals, 1 Blenny and 1 Goby). Irs obviously a small tank, but the wife likes to watch the fish and wanted to get 2 more. Myself I enjoy the corals and small life in the rocks. I just dont want to cause any problems for the critters and would like to play it safe.

Have you thought about a cleaner shrimp or other inverts? Interesting to watch but lower bioload.

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ktownhero · 08/11/2016, 05:26 AM

Think about how many fish you want then cut it in half. That's how many you should have 😁

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ca1ore · 08/11/2016, 06:47 AM

So many factors drive acceptable stocking levels. Makes rules-of-thumb almost useless. In terms of number of fish, I always think in terms of the ability of my system to maintain chemical balance (nutrient processing, oxygen levels, etc.) and offer available space (swimming room, aggression, etc.).

sde1500 · 08/11/2016, 06:51 AM

Fish don't have thumbs, so we don't use any for fish stocking suggestions.

Your 4 fish are probably close to max what a 27 gallon tank can manage. If anything one other small fish may be ok. Not sure what goby or blenny you have, but many take up very little room. I'd say a fire fish could be ok, they tend to not stray very far from their dart hole, except when going around grabbing food in my experience. I have a purple fire fish, very pretty color.

Paul B · 08/11/2016, 07:06 AM

I thought as long as their head fits in the water it's OK.

ColoReefer970 · 08/11/2016, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul B

I thought as long as their head fits in the water it's OK.

Now that sounds like a rule of thumb

08/10/2016, 07:15 PM	#1
Str8linespeed Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Oakdale, MN Posts: 461	Rule of Thumb for fish What is the rule of thumb for the amount of fish per gallon? I seem to get a wide range of answers from my LFS's.

08/11/2016, 06:47 AM	#7
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	So many factors drive acceptable stocking levels. Makes rules-of-thumb almost useless. In terms of number of fish, I always think in terms of the ability of my system to maintain chemical balance (nutrient processing, oxygen levels, etc.) and offer available space (swimming room, aggression, etc.). __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

08/11/2016, 06:51 AM	#8
sde1500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Glocester, RI Posts: 3,336	Fish don't have thumbs, so we don't use any for fish stocking suggestions. Your 4 fish are probably close to max what a 27 gallon tank can manage. If anything one other small fish may be ok. Not sure what goby or blenny you have, but many take up very little room. I'd say a fire fish could be ok, they tend to not stray very far from their dart hole, except when going around grabbing food in my experience. I have a purple fire fish, very pretty color. __________________ My build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2548422 Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef, Eshopps sump and HOB overflow, RO-110int skimmer, Reefbreeder 32" photons V1.

08/11/2016, 07:06 AM	#9
Paul B Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 15,549	I thought as long as their head fits in the water it's OK. __________________ I used to get shocked when I put my hand in my tank. Then the electric eel went dead. Current Tank Info: 100 gal reef set up in 1971

08/10/2016, 07:28 PM	#2
itz frank Gives Bad Advice. Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ft Lauderdale, FL Posts: 2,168	There isn't an answer. The tank will tell you over time. Either you'll find crowding issues from too many fish or your nutrients will require larger amounts of maintenance and TLC.

08/10/2016, 07:34 PM	#3
CarrieB Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 526	Here's one way to estimate: http://www.howmanyfish.com Obviously a gross estimation, but if you are looking for a starting point. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08/11/2016, 05:26 AM	#6
ktownhero Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 1,426	Think about how many fish you want then cut it in half. That's how many you should have 😁 Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk