Whats the MAX # of fish I can add?

What is your ideal fish list? As if you could get all the fish you would like?

 

That is the hard part. most of the fish I like are for bigger aquariums or not reef safe..the problem is I dont like damsels, chromis, or wrasse fish.

I wanted a yellow Tang before I found out I could keep one. So some kind of Yellow Fish. (yellow Angel is out because I have an angel already)

maybe a Kaudern Cardinal.

I dont know maybe suggestions? doesnt seem to be alot of choices out there for a tank my size. maybe another blenny.

I just want my tank to look more alive as far as fish are concerned.

 

how about one of these: canary blenny
he roams the whole length of my 90 about mid tank

 

what about a royal gramma.

 

I'll check into both of those.

 

yellow goby? is there such a fish? lol

 

yellow clown goby
Buy Yellow Clown Goby Online | Vivid Aquariums

 

there ya go.. 3 yellow fishes.. thanks telgar

 

Well, given a 46 gallon tank, you could in theory fit a bit over 6 cubic feet of fish. That would be several thousands small damsels like blue green chromis, or several hundred clown fish. I imagine you could fit at least 100 or so full grown yellow tangs, maybe a dozen to 20 or so full grown triggers....

For a combination I would say maybe 15 sohal tangs, a dozen Maroon clowns, 10 snowflake eels, a banded cat shark, a few lion fish, and top it off with as many clown gobies as it takes to get to the top... 500-1000 would be my guess.


... oh wait.... I don't think you meant "absolute max" I think you mean "reasonable" max in order to keep the tank healthy and the fish alive....


I have a 58g with a pair of clowns, a pair of chromis and a 6 line wrasse. I am considering adding a bristletooth tang or a dwarf angel fish, and would consider that medium stocked for a reef tank.

If you have the filtration to keep up with it, there's no reason you couldn't have the same stocking as mine, even toss in a few anthias or something for kicks.


I do however have to add that I think putting a "maximum" limit on stocking a tank is a subjective issue with too many variables to consider. There are certain arbitrary limits people will use, such as ounces, inches, specimens per gallon - none of those take in to account the metabolic load on a system or the filtration, i.e. one volitans lion fish would in theory fit in a 46 gallon tank, and with enough filtration you'd probably be able to keep it alive for a while, but it would be considered cruel by many of us.

Likewise, a single small gramma or damsel with no filtration would probably not live long in a 46tg tank.


The best advise I can really give is to make a list of your wants:

A single MUST have, or "Target" species

2-5 desirable species, ones you'd like to have if there's space and compatibility after the target.

1-3 alternates in case one or more of the above aren't feasible

1-3 "fillers" that you can completely live without, but if space, compatibility, and money (in that order) allows, you'd have in your tank.... e.g. someone has to get rid of a fish right away and you're the only one they know who can house it.


Make that list, post it, and get lots of good feedback on a species by species basis.

Asking for an ABSOLUTE maximum is going to result in tons of opinions with little to no real guidance. And probably one or two wise asses who want to get semantic.

-Doug