Do you agree with 1" of fish per gallon?

'Cause this seems like a LOT of fish to me! Maybe this rule of thumb is meant for FO tanks?

In my mind, I rather tend to think I should have no more than, say, 1" of fish per FIVE gallons. What say you?

I should mention that I keep no SPS yet, and have no real plans to in the near future. But I do like softies and LPS.

I realize there are many many variables, and rules of thumb are just vague, blurry, general guidelines. So this question is really just to help me get a general sense of where I want to go, fish-wise.

So far, I have a lawnmower blenny, a false perc, and a royal gramma.

I definitely want a watchman goby, to stir my sand, but that is the extent of my plans so far.

 

I agree with the 1" per gallon if you run a freshwater tank. But as soon as you start adding salt, the oxygen saturation goes down, down, down. The rule of thumb in SW is around 1" per three gallons. Personally, I think you nailed it with 1" per five gallons. That is what I strive for in my tank. Room for error.....and a healthier environment for the fishies.

 

hi Dixiedog

its been a while but I seem to recall it was 1 inch of fish per gallon in tropical freshwater
1 inch of fish per 4 gallons in salt water
but as you say there are variables , what type of fish, what diet, what filtration system, what husbandry/ maintenance programme etc

Steve

 

Yep, what steve said. Also, you need to consider the overall size of the fish. A 5" wrasse is a lot different then a 5" dogface puffer....I have ever really gone by inches per gallon. I tend to go for a lighter stocked tank especially with coral in the tanks..

 

Well said Baxter... 10 1" chromis is NOTHING compared to a 10" piscivore.... Not only in diet but as a fish get longer the girth matches.....Keep it clean guys

I would say the 1" rule needs to slowly make its way out of the hobby just like WPG... but unfortunately there needs to be SOME guidline to help new folks or those that haven't kept tanks for years and years and learned the art of balancing!

Best thing to do is research adult size and plan for such bioload, remembering predators will make much more mess!!

Good luck!

 

I agree, depends on the fish, I had a clown and a sixline wrass in a 5.5 gal for over six months before moving them to a bigger tank. with no problems..