So.....when exactly do you realize that too much is too much according to your tank size and filtration?
Stocking Guidelines
- Thread starter mlefessler
- Start date
When you post on here and someone freaks out about your stock.
Haha, that's how most people do it.
Haha, that's how most people do it.
Stocking is tricky. Some people believe that less is certainly better. I've been advised that when it comes to saltwater, you should add 1 fish per gallon of water, but I feel that's a "beginners" guideline. I personally tend to overstock every tank I have. Infact, my 29g currently has 2 oscellaris clowns, 2 firefish, 2 blue damsels, 1 black-axle chromis, and a lawnmower blenny...not to mention hermits, snails, a coral-banded shrimp, and 15 corals....needless to say, I've ignored the 1 fish per/gallon rule. Stocking depends on how you're maintaing your tank and what kind of filtration you use. I'm heavy on my tanks in the filtration department so water is constantly moving in and out, plus I do 10-15% water changes weekly. As long as you know what you're doing, you can usually add more than you think...but just use your best judgement so you don't go overboard. Larger fish need more room to move and grow, so don't cramp them. Inverts are more or less fair game, you need a massive clean-up crew anyway so it's not too risky. A good rule to live by is this: more fish + higher salinity = less oxygen which results in more necessary water changes. Less fish + lower salinity = more oxygen and results in less frequent water changes. Also just be knowledgeable of the fish you buy and what their targer size will be. Don't buy a juvenile queen angel and expecting it's going to remain 2" for the rest of it's life, it'll max out between 6-8". I personally like a little bit more "action" so I add more but do more frequent maintenance, but it's up to you to keep up with all of that...if you don't have the extra time, go with the "less is more" approach.
The old rule is actually 1 inch of fish per gallon of water, not 1 fish per gallon...but that rule is mainly for freshwater tanks and applies to small fish not large, heavy bodied fish.
A better guideline for saltwater fish is 3 inches of fish for every square foot of surface area.
A better guideline for saltwater fish is 3 inches of fish for every square foot of surface area.
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But really, who follows those at all, right? I definately don't. I had success with 12 fish in my 29G, and now have 14 fish in my 75G. IMO it is more about the tank size requirements for the fish and their temperment. I choose fish that are very peaceful and are known to get along with many other fish and the one fish I do have, the Potter's Angel, I know not to add another Angel to the tank due to hostility. I couldn't have 2 damsels in my 29G but I could have 12 little fish like gobies and small wrasses as long as my filtration could handle it and I kept up on water quality (which I did, 70lb live rock + sump + 5G daily water changes).